Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension
Vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension are directly related. Research has shown that word knowledge in elementary and middle school is an indicator of how well a child will read in high school and in their adult life.
Vocabulary can be learned directly and indirectly. Children learn vocabulary indirectly in three different ways:
Children learn vocabulary directly, through teacher instruction. Direct vocabulary instruction can help grow students' vocabulary and help them enhance their reading comprehension. Even though direct vocabulary instruction cannot teach the meaning of every word, direct instruction is still vital for increasing a child's knowledge of words. Direct Instruction should include: 1. Definitional and contextual information about words 2. Exposure to words in multiple texts 3. Motivating and encouraging students to develop their own vocabularies by reading and investigating words and their meanings (National Assessment Governing Board to Post Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension results, 2012). Direct Vocabulary Instruction that is implemented consistently throughout a child's education can improve his or her word knowledge and reading comprehension. Direct Vocabulary Instruction is a research based teaching technique that can be used at all grades levels and in all content areas. Additionally,direct vocabulary instruction can reach children at all ability levels. (Kesler, 2011) |
The amount of difficult words in a text is a key indicator of the text's reading difficulty. A reader's knowledge of vocabulary is an important indicator of how successful he or she will be at reading texts as well as his or her comprehension of the text.
The Reading Comprehension Process includes many factors:
It is clear that there is a strong connection between reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge. It is vital that students are exposed to vocabulary in multiple different ways. This in turn, will help increase their reading comprehension skills. (Kieffer and Lesaux, 2007) To help improve your students' reading comprehension, try using activities and lessons that will increase their vocabulary and word knowledge. In addition, try incorporating vocabulary strategies and games in your classroom to keep vocabulary lessons exciting and meaningful. (Kesler, 2011) View this video about Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension, and then check out the reading comprehension and vocabulary strategies below for ideas to use in your own classroom.
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Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Strategies:
According to Kesler, 2011
Read Alouds:
The teacher reads texts that are engaging and compelling for the purpose of increasing students' vocabulary.
Sticky Notes:
Students use sticky notes to mark vocabulary in a text that they want to return to and/or learn.
Think Alouds:
Students use group time to think aloud about texts and vocabulary.
Highlighting:
Students use highlighters to highlight interesting and unknown vocabulary.
Think-Pair-Share:
Students discuss with a partner their thoughts about vocabulary they have read in a text.
The teacher reads texts that are engaging and compelling for the purpose of increasing students' vocabulary.
Sticky Notes:
Students use sticky notes to mark vocabulary in a text that they want to return to and/or learn.
Think Alouds:
Students use group time to think aloud about texts and vocabulary.
Highlighting:
Students use highlighters to highlight interesting and unknown vocabulary.
Think-Pair-Share:
Students discuss with a partner their thoughts about vocabulary they have read in a text.