The issues of vocabulary instruction and word recognition are very closely aligned and thus can be addressed together. During vocabulary instruction teachers should focus not only on providing students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the meaning of the word but also opportunities to recognize the word visually. As discussed in class, word recognition often comes with repeated exposure and mastery of a word. This recognition should begin in vocabulary instruction as well as more of a whole language approach to reading instruction.
With the younger kids vocabulary instruction happens almost continuously to some degree throughout the day. They come to the class with different word knowledge and act like sponges picking up new words and meanings all the time. Although we work quite a bit with phonics, it is also important that teachers take the time to include visual aids in vocabulary instruction. In my reading groups we spend time looking at and discussing new vocabulary as it comes up in our books, but I often think that I could provide greater visual exposure to the new words as well.
One way I do try to build word recognition and familiarity with common words is providing a print rich environment for the students. I like to put labels all around the room for common things and to change them as things change in our classroom. The children start to pick up on the words as they see them so repeatedly and then start to recognize the words in reading as well. They also start to notice aspects about the words as they connect their phonics instruction to these words and build even greater recognition of new words. Using vocabulary word rings, word walls, flash cards, and including changing words into centers helps to build familiarity with repeated exposures.
A final way to provide students with repeated exposure to words in order to cement their vocabulary understanding and build upon their word recognition is through the use of computer games. There are a number of games out there designed to help build word recognition. The website Starfall.com helps with these skills including many other developmental skills. The site Vocabulary.co.il also has a variety of useful games for young students. There are also a number of picture dictionaries online for children that can help build vocabulary understanding.
Thank you for your post! While I do not have a classroom of my own, I have read quite a bit about using visual aids when teaching children vocabulary. One way to teach your children vocabulary is to label a lot of items in the classroom (book shelves, desk, lights, chair). This helps children become familiar with vocabulary words and spelling. The teacher can switch out the labels according to what the children are learning. I think this would be particularly helpful for English language learners. They can associate the item with the word. I found a scholarly journal that I found to be particularly helpful when attempting to implement this strategy in the classroom. www.newbridgeonline.com/articles/VVB_ResearchReport.pdf
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