Vocabulary Knowledge
Not just how many words we know
But also:
the precision of use
links to related words, etc.
More information:
Video: Vocabulary & Comprehension, 3:29
Article: Vocabulary and Oral Language: The Keys to Comprehension, 3min
Article: How to Grow Vocabulary Through Semantic Mapping, 5 min
Podcast: Deconstructing the Rope: Vocabulary with Nancy Hennessy, 46:19
What matters in vocabulary instruction is making connections between & within words:
their meanings (semantics)
their relationships to each other (semantics)
the relationship between spelling and meaning (morphemes).
Word maps will help do this work.
Embedding vocabulary instruction in content areas ensures words are learned within context - so they'll stick!
Semantics, type 1:
multiple meanings, same word
Students need to know that the meaning of a word may depend on its context.
Instruction activities might include:
Noticing words with multiple meanings in read alouds, shared reading, or independent reading
Collaboratively mapping multiple meanings with words or pictures
Reflecting meanings by composing sentences aloud in teams - make it into a Scattergories-like game!
More ideas and word lists here
Semantics, type 2:
similar meanings, different words
Students need to know that there are groups of words that have similiar meanings or that give more information about the same topic.
Instruction activities might include:
Noticing related words, synonyms, or shades of meaning in read alouds, shared reading, or independent reading
Collaboratively creating groups of words that relate to a central word
Jeopardy-like game matching synonyms to cloze sentences
More ideas and word lists here
Sets of synonyms that illustrate shades of meaning
