Effective vocabulary instruction is like providing a velcro surface for new information to cling to. The more vocabulary your students have, the more "hooks" there are for new information to stick to.
The more new information sticks, the deeper the learning.
This is helpful for all students. But it's especially crucial for students who learn and think differently. Vocabulary is, in many ways, their bridge to understanding and engaging with the world around them. The stronger we build that bridge, the more confidently they can cross it.
The connection between vocabulary skills and reading comprehension is a long-standing and proven fact. Essentially, the strength of a student's word knowledge significantly impacts their understanding of texts throughout middle and high school.
But reading comprehension extends beyond mere word recognition and memory. It's a complex process. Believe it or not, for a reader to fully grasp a text, they need to understand at least 90 to 95 percent of the words within it (Hirsch, 2003).
And much of our students' vocabulary acquisition comes from casual, everyday experiences. They pick up new words through conversations with friends, family, and teachers. They learn from observing the world around them, from television shows, movies, and social media. And of course, they learn new words from simply reading!
But here's the thing. While these everyday encounters with language are valuable, they aren't enough. Especially not for our students who might need that extra bit of help. That's where effective vocabulary instructional strategies come in.
At ThinkCERCA, we are passionate about providing easy-to-implement vocabulary best practices. So we are rounding up our top three vocabulary best practices that you can implement in your classroom today!
Vocabulary Best Practice #1: Frayer Model
Just like a classic car, the Frayer model vocabulary strategy is always reliable and effective.
It's all about using a graphic organizer to boost vocabulary acquisition. Students dig into the meanings of target vocabulary words, applying what they know in creative ways.
They might generate examples and non-examples of the word in context. They can jot down key characteristics. Or, they might even sketch a picture that captures the essence of the word's meaning.
👉See 15 ways ThinkCERCA’s Core Explicitly Supports Vocabulary Growth
The root word challenge is a fun way for students to delve into the origins of words and discover their connections.
Although a word's root doesn't offer its precise definition, it provides valuable clues about its meaning. These clues can jog their memory, making it easier to remember definitions.
This practice engages students in listing, grouping, and identifying derivatives, while uncovering patterns. Plus, it's a breeze to turn into a friendly classroom competition!
Vocabulary Best Practices #3: Gallery Walk
Engage your visual learners with a vocabulary gallery walk!
This effective instructional strategy sparks creative thinking by diversifying the media forms related to the words being studied. The more varied the forms, the stronger the connections your students can make. In a gallery walk, students decide how to represent a word beyond its definition - maybe through a synonym, a drawing, or various examples.
It's an interactive, low-prep method that’s easy to scaffold.
Looking for more of the good stuff?
Check out our entire catalog of best practices with dozens more vocabulary strategies right here.
