20+ Ways to Keep Vocabulary Fresh and Fun
Let's face it. Teaching vocabulary can be just plain redundant and boring unless you have a deep repertoire of teaching options. As teachers, we have to mix things up and…
Easy Ways to Teach Context Clues using Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Vocabulary knowledge is one of the biggest indicators to reading success. Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut is the perfect book due to the rich vocabulary embedded within it as well as the real life connections and experiences of getting the perfect barbershop cut.
10 Ways to Embed Vocabulary Instruction into Every Lesson
If you've been in the classroom for even a year or two, you probably have seen first hand how word knowledge helps students better understand the content they've read. Without…
Easy to Use Vocabulary Ideas for Any Lesson
Teaching vocabulary is really important, and we especially need to teach prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Learning prefixes and suffixes begins typically in second grade, but for many, mastery occurs closer…
The Secrets Teachers Should Know about Vocabulary Instruction
No matter the size, all words have power. How we teach vocabulary matters. Sometimes, we carefully choose our words to say or write something in a very specific way. Other…
Building Word Knowledge with 3 Easy to Use Strategies
Pause for a moment and just think about the power of books and how they help students build word knowledge. I have watched children curl up with a good book…
Why “Covering” Vocabulary Fails to Get the Job Done and What to Do Instead
Think back to when you were a student in school. Do you recall how vocabulary was taught to you? Do you remember copying the definitions from the dictionary? Or maybe…
5 Fun Vocabulary Ideas for Synonyms and Antonyms Your Kids Will Love
Explicit teaching of vocabulary is a MUST, and certainly, knowing synonyms and antonyms helps with reading AND writing! We need to show students word connections, and in the first vocab…
5 Ways to Teach Context Clues for Mastery
One of the most complex reading standards for upper elementary in the Virginia SOLS deals with word analysis. It includes a long list of skills including context clues, synonyms and…
Becoming a Vocabulary Dynamo in 3 Easy
Use the big thinker's vocabulary. Use big, bright, cheerful words. Use words that promise victory, hope, happiness, pleasure, avoid words that create unpleasant images of failure, defeat, grief." David. J.…
