Post on 24-Dec-2015
Vocabulary:Defining Best Practice in
Reading First Schools
Part 2
Georgia Reading First
Today’s Goals
Learn about scientifically-based instructional approaches (in addition to read-alouds)
Discuss how these approaches are being (or could be) implemented in Reading First schools
In addition to read-alouds, what are some of the most effective ways of teaching vocabulary?
Some Research-Based Techniques
Semantic Feature Analysis Graphic Organizers List-Group-Label Semantic Maps (word webs) Word Lines Word Sorts
As we examine these approaches, think about how well your core incorporates each one.
(We’ll come back to this question!)
A Closer Look at Definitions
golf
golf n.1. a good walk spoiled
(Mark Twain)
2. a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course (Webster)
a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
class distinguishing features
a game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course
class distinguishing features
Semantic Feature Analysis
humans adult female
woman + +
man + o
girl o +
boy o o
games clubs ball o
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball o
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
games clubs ball
golf + +
hockey + o
basketball o +
Characters Wise Adventurous
Frog
Toad
Curious George
Graphic Organizers
A graphic organizer is a diagram that shows how key terms are
related.
What’s so great about them?
They help kids “see” abstract content.
There is little to “read.”
They are easy to construct and discuss.
Technical terms can be taught in clusters.
They enhance recall and understanding.
They have an impressive research base.
Time Lines
Columbus Pilgrims American reaches land at RevolutionNorth America Plymouth begins
1500 1600 1700 1800
pupa
egg
larvaadult
Tree Diagrams
Musical Instruments
wind nonwind
brass woodwind string percussion
trumpet clarinet violin drum
Venn Diagrams
Frog and Toad Curious George
No people
AnimalCharacters
Animals talk
Could happen
wing
antennae leg
abdomen
thorax
Labeled Picture
List-Group-Label
Hilda Taba
ListStudents brainstorm all the words they can recall at the end of a unit.
GroupStudents suggest logical ways to group the words.
LabelStudents suggest a label for each group they form.
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
Kinds of Snakes garter boa copperhead cobra coral
Things Snakes Might Have rattle scales fang no legs venom tail
Where Snakes Are Found trees holes ground
Semantic Maps
(Word Webs)
BrainstormingStudents offer ideas related to a topic.
MappingTeacher and students form categories and map the words into a diagram.
ReadingStudents read a nonfiction selection.
Completing the MapTeacher and students revisit the map and together refine and expand it.
no legs garterboa
venomcobra
fang scales
coral tail
rattlecopperhead
treesholes
ground
Kinds of Snakes garter boa copperhead cobra coral
Things Snakes Might Have rattle scales fang no legs venom tail
Where Snakes Are Found trees holes ground
Snakes
treesholes
ground
garterboa
copperheadcobracoral
Kinds Where
Things Snakes Might Have
rattle no legsscales venomfang tail
Semantic maps have the advantage of mirroring how
words are stored in the lexicon.
cat
/kat/
dog
mammal
4 legs
“meow”c-a-t
animal
petlion
Word Lines
hot tepid cold
sweltering chilly
Word Sorts
thorax pupaabdomen antennaewing larvaadult headegg leg
Open Sort Categories are not given.
Closed Sort Parts Stages
thorax pupaabdomen eggwing larvahead adultlegantennae
Closed Sort Parts Stages
Some Research-Based Techniques
Semantic Feature Analysis Graphic Organizers List-Group-Label Semantic Maps (word webs) Word Lines Word Sorts
What do all of these techniques have in common?
1. They involve clusters of related words.
2. They encourage children to categorize.
How well are these instructional techniques incorporated into our cores?
“In the long run, effective intervention will involve extended vocabulary work as a normal part of a primary curriculum.” (p. 34)
Biemiller, A. (2004). Teaching vocabulary in the primary grades.In J.F. Baumann & E.J. Kame’enui (Eds.), Vocabulary instruction: Research to practice (pp. 28-40). New York: Guilford.
AndyBiemiller
Suggested ReferencesBaumann, J.F., & Kame’enui, E.J. (2004). Vocabulary
instruction: Research to practice. New York: Guilford.Bear, D.R., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S.R., & Johnston, F.
Words their way (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Beck, I.L., McKeown, M.G., & Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. New York: Guilford.
Nagy, W.E. (1988). Teaching vocabulary to improve reading comprehension. Newark, DE: IRA.
Stahl, S.A. (1999). Vocabulary development. Cambridge, MA: Brookline Books.
Stahl, S.A., & Kapinus, B.A. (2001). Word power: What every educator needs to know about teaching vocabulary. Washington, DC: NEA.
Stahl, S.A., & Nagy, W.E. (2005). Teaching word meanings.Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.