World of Words

What makes a good vocabulary curriculum? Check back with us all this week for the features of vocabulary instruction to look for when choosing a vocabulary curriculum. Read more about the importance of vocabulary from @susanbneuman & Julie Dwyer ⤵️ bit.ly/3PFZFzT

Vocabulary is more than words. It is knowledge. Check back with us next week for an in-depth look at these instructional features! Until then, read more about the importance of vocabulary 👇 bit.ly/3PFZFzT #Vocabulary #EarlyLiteracy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

4⃣steps for effective vocabulary instruction: Step 3⃣ Review vocabulary words periodically Step 4⃣ Observe and monitor progress through assessments to decide further instruction #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

4⃣steps for effective vocabulary instruction: Step 2⃣ Involve a good deal of practice that is active, guided, and extensive #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

4⃣steps for effective vocabulary instruction: Step 1⃣ Be systematic and explicit, providing children with plenty of opportunities to use words in classroom transactions #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Vocabulary instruction should be about helping children to build word meaning and the ideas that these words represent. Read more about the importance of vocabulary 👇 bit.ly/3PFZFzT and check back tomorrow for more! #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

To review and promote retention of new vocabulary words, provide opportunities for children to review the vocabulary words learned in previous weeks or previous months. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Literacy #EarlyLiteracy

What does a child-friendly definition look like? 👀 the example of how teachers can define target words before a story: “In this story, the kids look for insects that are CAMOUFLAGED. The insects DISGUISE themselves by changing their color to stay away from their enemies.”

After selection of target words, there are 4⃣ key steps for instruction: 1- Define these words in a child-friendly way 2-Contextualize words into varied & meaningful formats 3-Review words to promote retention over time 4-Monitor children’s progress and reteach if necessary

Follow us this week to learn how to develop a weekly instructional regime for vocabulary to support future reading comprehension. First, identify target vocabulary words that need to be taught. Next, select 6-10 target words per week #EarlyLiteracy #EarlyChildhoodEducation

Feature 4⃣: Consider an 'Instructional Regime' for Your Most Challenging Words Children need many encounters in meaningful contexts to learn more challenging words. For these words in particular, consider a weekly instructional regime. Check back here next week to learn more!

Feature 3⃣: Build word knowledge through knowledge networks Create lists of words that are related to a theme. This can encourage children to build interconnections between them. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyLiteracy #Literacy

Feature 2⃣: Choose Words that give ‘Word Power’ Teachers can identify the target words they plan to teach for the week, and then include these weekly 'magic words' on their word walls. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Literacy #EarlyLiteracy

Catch a glimpse at Dr. @SusanBneuman discussing key findings of her literacy in laundromats study in New York.

Feature 1⃣: Target Key Words for learning Before reading a story, introduce several key words that will be be integral to the story. These become children’s “magic words.” Encourage them to listen for the magic words and to raise their hands whenever they hear one! #Literacy

‘Teachable moments’ can be useful in a classroom, but students need intentional instruction in vocabulary for long-term gains in reading. Follow along this week as we discuss key features of vocab instruction to build knowledge to support future reading comprehension. #Literacy

Instruction Feature 4: Offer opportunities for sustained, in-depth learning Provide children with extended blocks of time in which they can engage in sustained investigation, exploration, interaction, and play. Offer questions to stimulate children’s thinking. #EarlyLiteracy

Instruction Feature 3: High levels of teacher instruction can assist and guide students’ learning. Asking questions, labeling objects and experiences with new vocabulary, and offering practice can help students remember and generalize new concepts and skills. #EarlyLiteracy

Instruction Feature 2: A supportive learning environment in which students have access to a wide variety of print resources, including fiction and non-fiction texts, labels, printed directions and student work. #earlyliteracy #EarlyChildhood