North Literacy Resources
Vocabulary
The research is clear. We can help all students, and especially struggling readers, by taking the time to incorporate explicit, direct, and deeper-level vocabulary instruction in all classes. Below, you will find some useful materials for teaching vocabulary in any content area, as well as some of the research that supports explicit vocabulary instruction.
Tier 1 Vocabulary Instruction
Problems, Solutions, and Strategies for Any Content Area
- The Importance of Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
- How to Improve Word List Activities
- Specific Instructional Strategies and Activities
Instructional Materials
Five-Step Vocabulary RoutineGuide students to understand multiple forms, pronunciations, definitions, and contexts of academic words.
Frayer Vocabulary ModelsHelp students contextualize "big idea" words by having them come up with characteristics, examples, and nonexamples.
Deeper Definition Vocabulary ProcessPush students beyond the dictionary definitions of words on class word lists.
Vocabulary Acquisition StrategyHelp students practice the process of determining the meanings of unfamiliar words that they encounter in a text.
Research and Other Resources
Narrowing the Language Gap: The Case for Explicit Vocabulary InstructionThe Case for Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
This short and straightforward text makes a convincing case for why and how to implement explicit vocabulary instruction.
Recommendations for Providing Explicit Vocabulary Instruction.pdfRecommendations for Providing Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
This text also provides evidence and recommendations for explicit vocabulary instruction.
High-Frequency Academic Word ListThe Most Common Academic Words
This list contains the 570 words that show up most frequently in academic texts across the disciplines; because they are so common, they are so important for students to understand.
Common Prefixes, Suffixes, and RootsCommon Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words
This list contains some of the most common prefixes, suffixes, and root words. With a thorough knowledge of "word parts," students will be better equipped for determining the meanings of unfamiliar words.