Which Words Are Worth Teaching?
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Description
In this International Dyslexia Association Perspectives article, Dr. Andrew Biemiller summarizes the importance of teaching vocabulary, as well as key principles for vocabulary instruction from early childhood to intermediate/senior grades. He summarizes considerations for selecting words to teach explicitly, and how words and instruction shift as students’ vocabulary skills grow and develop over time.
Curriculum Connection
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Vocabulary is a key component of Overall Expectation B2. Across grades, students demonstrate an understanding of words and acquire and use vocabulary in various contexts. This resource supports educators in determining which vocabulary words should be the focus of explicit instruction.
If we can expand vocabulary exponentially in early primary grades, this will positively impact intermediate grades beyond measure.
I think we should always use rich vocabulary when talking to all children and if they don’t know a word, they will either ask (when we can provide synonyms) or at the very least words become familiar to them in a context which still helps with comprehension.