This short presentation is a demo on how to effectively teach vocabulary to students to increase reading comprehension.

1. Dr. Genola Johnson
Georgia Educational Learning Center, Inc.
Instrucology.com

3. Written and learned through academic
content; abstract
• Cake words: (genetics, inherited, chromosomes,
traits)
• Icing words: (ability, behavior, learned)

4. One time approach
Low vocabulary knowledge
Low background knowledge
Limited – no texts within the home

5. Language proficiency grows from oral
competency
Language proficiency is the foundation of
what we hear, read, say and write

6. Decode this passage
Roterubrac takes sag in to the ginene for
it to gtingi the fule to power the rac.

7. Passage Decoded:
Carburetor takes gas in to the engine for it
to ignite the fuel to power the car.

9. 3 tiers to explicit vocabulary instruction
• Tier 1: Basic words, i.e. house, school, people, run
• Tier 2: Academic words, i.e. synthesis, evaluate,
discuss, characterize, analyze
• Tier 3: Content area words, i.e genetics,
chromosomes, genotype, hybrid, meiosis
Content area teachers teach tier 2 words to help
students work with the tier 3 content area words

10. There is NO one strategy
Different kinds of words require different
approaches

11. Words are known through connections
Sponge
Sponge
Sponge

12. Word learning happens incrementally
Multiple exposures
Encourage students
Words should be introduced

14. Helps students What the word is
• What the word is like
• Examples of the word
Help students integrate personal
experiences
Help students focus on concepts

15. Frayer Model
Introduce the word, discuss, ask students to define in own words, student
examples, student non-examples

16. Graphic Organizers
They are kinesthetic and colorful
Introduce the different types
Teachers should model
Use the foldable with a particular task
3D interactive graphic organizers

17. Sponge
Sponge
Sponge

18. Use mnemonics to boost vocabulary;
students make their own
Keep
It
So
Simple
(KISS)

19. Cross word puzzles
Word finds

20. Allow students to work with words in:
• Discussions
• Writing activities

21. Visit: www.udemy.com/how-to-teach-
vocabulary-instruction
How To Teach Vocabulary by:
• Dr. Genola Johnson
• You may also visit Dr. Johnson’s blog at
• www.instrucology.com
• www.gaelcllc.com