Vocabulary Development
What is Vocabulary Development?
Vocabulary development refers to words learners need to know in order to comprehend texts and communicate their learning effectively. Vocabulary includes the knowledge of word meanings and the context for using these words. Learners increase their vocabulary knowledge through spoken language and reading. In social studies, learners need to develop their vocabulary in order to understand new concepts and comprehend the sources of information they are using.
Big Ideas
When learners develop their vocabulary, they are better prepared to:
connect new words to their background knowledge
understand the information conveyed in texts
retain content and understand new concepts
use their vocabulary knowledge to determine the meaning of other words
Before Reading
Learners will require explicit instruction and modeling before reading to learn and use new vocabulary to support reading comprehension.
Final Vocabulary Development Getting Started.mp4Final Vocabulary Development Choosing Words.mp4Getting ready
Before learners begin to learn new vocabulary, they need to know that:
vocabulary develops through listening, speaking, reading, and writing
information texts often require readers to learn academic and subject-specific vocabulary
words can be related (e.g., colony, colonial, colonize, colonizer)
one word can have different meanings, depending on the context (e.g., contemporary)
authors choose words for specific reasons to communicate their meaning
Final Vocabulary Development Before Reading Strategies.mp4Explicit Instruction
To support learners in developing their vocabulary before reading, teachers can:
provide word meanings in student-friendly language and connect them to words students are already familiar with.
provide a visual representation of a new word.
provide opportunities for learners to talk in partners or small groups to use the new word in context.
use an excerpt from a text to demonstrate how the word is used in social studies.
model various ways to find the definitions of new words.
Guided Practice
Academic and discipline-specific texts often include words that are unfamiliar for learners. With explicit instruction and modeling from the teacher, learners can develop new products to develop an understanding of new words.
The teacher identifies a limited number of words in the reading that are essential for understanding
Using a vocabulary map graphic organizer, the teacher guides the learners through defining the new word, creating a visual representation, and using the word in context
Learners use the word to respond to a question provided by the teacher as they turn and talk with a partner
New vocabulary continues to be used in context in future learning experiences
During Reading
Learners will require time to practice the various strategies modeled by the teacher.
Final Vocabulary Development During Reading .mp4Explicit Instruction
To support learners in developing their vocabulary during reading, teachers can:
provide examples of new words learners are going to encounter in the text(s)
identify the purpose for reading and connect that purpose to vocabulary learners will develop
provide opportunities for learners to read a variety of texts during class time
Guided Practice
Reading Around the Word
Learners need strategies they can use to figure out the meanings of unknown words. Learners can use clues from the text to enhance their understanding of an unknown word.
The teacher pre-selects a text that includes terms that will be new to learners (e.g., academic or subject-specific vocabulary)
Learners read the text, stopping at an unfamiliar word
Learners read the whole sentence to see if the context provided helps them to understand the word
Learners read the sentence before and after the word to check their understanding
Learners discuss their understanding with a partner