9. Mastering Vocabulary: A Key to Elementary Literacy [The Fab 5 of Literacy Series]

The Literacy Lounge: Uncover the Magic of Reading Through Ciera Harris’ Guide to Building Comprehension

We know that teaching vocabulary is crucial for students to comprehend texts, but the importance of expanding students' vocabulary goes far beyond understanding what they are reading in the classroom. Vocabulary in elementary education not only impacts comprehension but also how students engage with and understand the world.

Explicitly teaching vocabulary is incredibly beneficial and effective in expanding students' vocabulary. In this episode, I am breaking down what vocabulary is, the importance of explicitly teaching vocabulary, the research behind vocabulary instruction, and strategies you can implement to improve student vocabulary.

Next week, we'll be wrapping up the "Fab 5 Components of Literacy," where we'll be talking all about comprehension. Be sure to follow or subscribe to The Literacy Lounge on your favorite podcast listening app so you don't miss it! If you are enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating or review to help us reach more educators and make a bigger impact!

Episode Highlights:

04:36 - What vocabulary is

09:58 - Why explicit vocabulary instruction is crucial and strategies for explicit instruction

15:04 - The difference in explicit and incidental vocabulary teaching

22:33 - How vocabulary and comprehension are connected

31:05 - 5 ways you can help improve your students' vocabulary

Resources:

• Episode 6. Deciphering the 5 Pillars: An In-Depth Look at the Components of Literacy [The Fab 5 of Literacy Series]
• Episode 7. Elementary Essentials: How Phonemic Awareness & Phonics Shape Lifelong Readers with Kristina Harrill [The Fab 5 of Literacy Series]
• Episode 8. Reading Fluency Uncovered [The Fab 5 of Literacy Series]
• The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America's Broken Education System--and How to Fix it
• The Reading Comprehension Blueprint 2020 by Nancy Hennessy
• Free Close Reading Guidebook
• The Literacy Lounge Facebook group
• Leave your rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

Show Notes: https://cieraharristeaching.com/episode9