Vocabulary

Words are the currency of communication. A robust vocabulary (acquired incidentally AND through explicit instruction) improves all areas of communication — listening, speaking, reading and writing. (Alexander, Francie, 2018)

According to Michael Graves (2000), there are four components of an effective vocabulary program:

• wide or extensive independent reading to expand word knowledge

• instruction in specific words to enhance comprehension of texts containing those words

• instruction in independent word-learning strategies, and

• word consciousness and word-play activities to motivate and enhance learning