Vocabulary Instruction

FAB VOCAB. I look at teaching vocabulary so differently now than when I was in the classroom two years ago. I have learned so much from the reading I have done on research and instructional practices. If only I could have known then what I know now. I remember having students look up words in the dictionary and then use them in a sentence before actually "owning" the word. I still can't believe that I did that. What was I thinking????? According to the article, "...it is essential for students to have frequent encounters with a word and understand the connection between words and ideas before students begin to 'own' a word." I found this to be true during my last two years teaching 3rd grade. After the reading coach came to my classroom to model a vocabulary/background knowledge lesson, I realized the vital importance of providing students with many different ways to make connections with the vocabulary words being taught. I encourage teachers to use many different strategies when teaching vocabulary. Students should also be taught to use strategies, as well, when learing new vocabulary or when unfamiliar words are encountered in the text being read. Like the article stated, "By activating background knowledge, providing frequent exposure to new words and showing students how to use vocabulary tools such as maps and webs, teachers can help students increase their vocabulary skills and knowledge." Many of the teachers at BGE have LCD players and ELMOs which are used to expose students to visuals which greatly enhance their ability to make connections to the new vocabulary words being taught. By allowing students more time to make connections to words, the better their chance is of actually building long-term and deep vocabulary knowledge that will stay with them for a lifetime.