Bringing Words to Life Robust Vocabulary Instruction

by Beck, Isabel L.; McKeown, Margaret G.; Kucan, Linda

• ISBN13: 9781572307537
• ISBN10: 1572307536
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-03-20
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Exciting and engaging vocabulary instruction can set students on the path to a lifelong fascination with words. This book provides a research-based framework and practical strategies for vocabulary development with children from the earliest grades through high school. The authors emphasize instruction that offers rich information about words and their uses and enhances students' language comprehension and production. Teachers are guided in selecting words for instruction; developing student-friendly explanations of new words; creating meaningful learning activities; and getting students involved in thinking about, using, and noticing new words both within and outside the classroom. Many concrete examples, sample classroom dialogues, and exercises for teachers bring the material to life. Helpful appendices include suggestions for trade books that help children enlarge their vocabulary and/or have fun with different aspects of words.

Author Biography

Isabel L. Beck, PhD, is Professor of Education in the School of Education and Senior Scientist at the Learning Research and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh.

Table of Contents

Rationale for Robust Vocabulary Instruction	p. 1
Choosing Words to Teach	p. 15
Introducing Vocabulary	p. 31
Developing Vocabulary in the Earliest Grades	p. 47
Developing Vocabulary in the Later Grades	p. 72
Making the Most of Natural Contexts	p. 102
Enriching the Verbal Environment	p. 116
Text Talk Books and Vocabulary Words	p. 131
Books for a Lively Verbal Environment	p. 138
References	p. 141
Index	p. 147
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