
Better readers learn as many as 7 new words a day

Struggling readers learn 1-2 new words per day

The average child learns about 3,000 words a year—300-500
can be reasonably taught in a 36-38 week instruction with a rate
of 8-10 words a week with direct instruction
The need for students to continue reading a
wide variety of materials over the nonschool months is paramount!
How to KNOW a word…
1.
2.
3.
4.
I never saw [the word] before
I’ve heard of it [the word], but I don’t know what it
means
I recognize it [the word] in context—it [the word]
has something to do with…
I know it [the word]
1.
2.
3.
4.
Encounter words in context more than once—at least 6
encounters with essential vocabulary
Previewing new words enhances student learning them in
context
Picture Association (pg. 12)
Direct Instruction of essential words to understand
content—direct instruction of the most important words
produces most powerful learning
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5: Review explanations and explanations
Enough time for vocabulary instruction—5-26 minutes depending on
1.
Prior knowledge
2.
Context
3.
Number of encounters
20-24 practice sessions for students to grasp a new skill or concept—doses are
smaller each time
2.
Teach the right words
3.
Infuse vocabulary instruction into lesson plans and units
4.
Use additional strategies to learn words
5.
Help students organize and keep track of words
6.
Periodic assessments
◦
Anecdotal assessments—conversations, presentations, writing, and
notebooks
◦
Pre- and Post Vocabulary Quiz
◦
Cloze Procedure/Passage (~250 word passage where student fills in
missing words using context clues)
◦
Vocabulary Flash Cards
1.
Vocabulary Activities
http://www.cobbk12.org/cheathamhill/lfs%20update/vocabulary%20an
d%20word%20walls.htm

Graphic Organizers
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/graphicorganizers/printable/6293.htmlnizers

Which graphic
organizer do I use?
The Text Structures are:

http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_go.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/vocab/

http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/GO/vocab_dev.htm

http://freeology.com/graphicorgs/
http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/teacher_resources/inspiration_templates/
Learning Focused Misconceptions
http://www.learningfocused.com/index.php/why-learningfocused/learning-focused-misconceptions

Student Success
http://www.exemplarypractices.com/student_success.html



Descriptive
Sequence
Compare and
contrast
Cause and effect
Problem solution