Let's Talk About Vocabulary!

Vocabulary knowledge and achievement is an essential tool students need to succeed in and out of the classroom. When students first enter school, they come to school with "varying levels of word knowledge, both in the number of words they know and in the depth of their understanding. Students from low-income homes have less than half of the vocabulary that more affluent children possess, and some researchers estimate that they know one quarter to one-fifth of the words that their classmates do" (Tompkins, 2017). It is believed those students who read more, have more vocabulary exposure than those who read less. This is reasonable because exposure to more reading means more exposure to words. Vocabulary instruction is also critically important because it plays a role in balanced literacy classrooms. Students must know how to master vocabulary because it is used in their reading, writing, and speaking.

Ways students develop knowledge and concepts about words, is through repeated exposure to spoken and written words. As students become more aware of the words and see them more often, they become familiarized with them. It is important to remember that when students are exposed to learning words, they learn words from their home and social environment, as well as their school environment. As students get a little bit older, they know how to speak at home, and how to talk at school. "The words that are frequently used in language arts, social studies, science, and math are called academic vocabulary" (Burke, 2008). Academic vocabulary is used differently than non-academic. One would think learning words is a natural step, but learning new vocabulary is not as easy as it seems. Like any subject or content area, students struggle. There are many English words in the English language; students can be confused- especially English Language Learners. That is why it is essential to create strategies or activities that get students interested in learning vocabulary. As students become aware of academic and non-academic language, they must learn the multiple meanings of words. They must learn about synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, root words, idioms, and many more" (Tompkins, 2017). Having students comprehend vocabulary is the goal. Yet, to reach that goal, parents and teachers must find creative strategies to teach students these words. Strategies such as word walls, posters, and maps are great ways to help students understand and learn new vocabulary.

Once students can comprehend vocabulary and its components, teachers must prepare to test students on their acquired knowledge. Gail Tompkins (2017) mentioned how "teachers follow the four-step instructional assessment cycle as they teach vocabulary, particularly during literature focus units and thematic units. They identify academic vocabulary words, plan mini lessons and instructional activities, monitor students' progress, and evaluate their achievement."

The four steps are:

1. Planning (Self Assess)

2. Monitoring (Observations)

3. Evaluating (Rubrics, Quickwrites, Word Sorts)

4. Reflecting (Diagnostic Assessment)

As a preschool vocabulary assessor, I am exposed to two types of vocabulary assessments. I am exposed to the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT-4) and the Preschool Language Skills (PLS-5). I test students ages 2-5, and I get to see how they are doing in their vocabulary. I test them in the Fall and Spring for a pre and post evaluation. As an assessor, I notice those students who read with their parents or at school, reach a higher ceiling than those who may not. Yet, these results are not always accurate. Students' achievement scores are still different than the other students. I can see how oral language plays a crucial role in vocabulary development. Hearing and seeing parents and teachers nurturing young children's knowledge of words as they talk with them, identifying objects, describing people, offering explanations, and telling stories, affects students in many ways. (Tompkins, 2017). Overall, understanding and achieving vocabulary knowledge is essential. It is what helps students succeed in their reading, writing, and speaking. 

What are some ways you or someone you know can help a student or class succeed in their vocabulary achievement? What are some of your strategies or activities? 

Thank you and see you next week!

PPVT Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlBL2-spsI4

PLS-5 Video: https://youtu.be/20O_tYzs5OQ?t=331