On Wednesday I attended the Assistant Principals Network Meeting. One of the sessions focused on vocabulary instruction and our system approach of Direct Instruction. 

 There are three tiers of words.

1. Tier 3 words are low frequency words related to a particular topic or subject.
2. Tier 2 words are words children might know, words that have shades of meaning and are books words and not often words used in speech.
3. Tier 1 Words are everyday words that children learn socially and don’t need teaching.

As a system we focus on teaching tier 2 words because they are not common in spoken language and 20% of words in texts are tier 2. In Reading Mastery each lesson starts with the focus on tier 2 words.

A child’s vocabulary develops through:

• Phonological input - hearing words’ sounds
• Semantic association – being told the meaning

Here are a few tips to help make vocabulary learning a playful, positive family habit:

1. Foster a Love of Words

Being curious about words can prime your child to notice and learn new words. Actively spark your child’s delight in words by playing silly word games and using rich language in your everyday conversations. Pause to marvel at appealing phrases in books. When your child asks about an unfamiliar word, praise his/her interest and take the time to respond.

2. Teach New Words During Reading

As you read aloud, teach new words in a relaxed, natural way. Simply pause to give a brief, child-friendly definition of an unfamiliar word. Hone in on a few words that are important for understanding the story and that your child is likely to hear in multiple contexts.

3. Practice Words Through Conversation and Play

Children need to revisit words again and again to successfully integrate them into their word banks.Use real-life examples, play, and other books to help your child build a mental “web” of information about a new word.

Emma Grant