The Without-A-Doubt / Monthly Top 3 List.
Vocabulary approaches we gotta get right
TOP 3 vocabulary methods we gotta get right in our schools. This monthly post is provided to provoke a little conversation. And, remember, the thoughts presented here are offered up as indisputable facts, not just opinions…😁 So here we go….Our without-a doubt, talk-to-the-hand most critical vocab approaches we gotta get right.
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1. Explicit Vocabulary Instruction
Increasing student word knowledge does not arrive by happenstance. Though students can broaden their vocabularies significantly through wide reading, the gaps in reading ability and access to books (and conversation) at home have created great discrepancies among students in their exposure to words and their mastery of complex terms. This hard reality makes it paramount that schools build explicit vocabulary lessons and word play into their daily routines. Yes, we have gotten this wrong before so we must learn and master some best practices. Providing lists of vocab words can be mundane and unhelpful unless the instruction and practice with the words is engaging and not rote.
2. Tier 2 Words and Strategies
Though students are required in school to learn and utilize Tier 3 academic terminology across all subject areas (words like parallelogram, amino acid, and isotope), it is far less common to find students interacting with and using the many compelling and mesmerizing Tier 2 words that are necessary to enhancing their writing and speaking skills, not to mention their comprehension of complex texts. Word lists and word play with these high-fidelity descriptive words (words like soaked, livid, and industrious) must be central to our work across grade levels.
3. Specific and Compelling Nouns and Verbs
Developing powerful writing and speaking techniques begins and ends with word choice. The decision to use one word vs. another or to switch out a complex word for a simple one can make all the difference in advancing two-way communication, increasing the possibility of persuasion, and heightening the likelihood of influence and inspiration. Though students often view adjectives as an easy way to use fun descriptive words, they are often overused and can lead to wordiness and exaggeration. A more effective habit is focusing on specific nouns (name the car) and interesting, active verbs (repair the dull verb).