This document discusses using storybooks to improve vocabulary for 4th grade students. It provides background on how storybook reading supports literacy development and vocabulary growth. The literature review defines storybooks and discusses research showing storybooks can significantly contribute to vocabulary development. The purpose of the study is to explore if using English storybooks in class can improve students' reading ability. The methodology describes giving 25 ELL 4th grade students a pre-test, 3 months of weekly 50-minute English reading classes using storybooks, and a post-test to measure reading ability improvements. Statistical analysis will use ANOVA/t-tests to analyze the results.

1. Storybooks for fourth-grade students
to promote vocabulary growth
Presenter: Jessica Wu
Instructor: Dr. Pi-Ying Hsu
Date: January 7, 2013

2. Contents
Introduction
Literature review
Methodology
2

3. I nt r oduc t
i on
Ba c k g r o u n d
3

4. Background
• The vocabulary growth occurring in
elementary school children is substantial and
significant and has received attention.
(Anderson & Freebody, 1981; and Becker, 1977)
4

5. Background
• Reading a storybook to young children is
regarded as an important activity that
supports literacy development.
(Bus, Van Ijzendoorn, & Pellegrini, 1995)
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6. Li t e r a t ur e
Re v i e w
a . The de f i ni t i on
o f s t or y book s
b . Voc a bul a r y
g r o wt h
c . Pur pos e of t he
s t udy
d . Re s e a r c h
q ue s t i on 6

7. The definition of storybooks
• The picture story books as “the books
including pictures partially or wholly and
adopted according to the needs and interests of
young children”.
(Glossary, 1943)
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8. The definition of storybooks
• The stories have attractive characters with
whom children readily identify, stories having
humor, and stories with a high action plot all
help children attend to the text.
(Elley, 1989)
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9. Vocabulary growth
• Indeed most research and comprehensive
reviews of such research suggest that
storybook reading makes significant
contributions to vocabulary development in
young children.
(Biemiller & Boote, 2006)
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10. Vocabulary growth
• The substantial evidence that storybook
reading, including some related to dialogic
reading, is helpful to vocabulary development
prompts thinking about the best way to use
books to teach vocabulary.
(Whitehurst et al., 1994)
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11. Multimedia Learning Theory
(Mayer, 2001) 11

12. Purpose of the study
• to explore if the teachers use of English
storybooks can improve students’ reading
ability
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13. Research Question
• How can teachers’ use of English storybooks
improve fourth-grade of elementary school
students reading ability?
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14. Me t h o d o l o
gy
a .
P a r t i c i p a n t s
b . Pr o c e d u r e
c . I n s t r u me n t
d . St a t i s t i c a l
a n a l y s i s
14

15. Participants
25 English language learning
(ELL) the fourth-grade students
The elementary school is in
the remote area in Taichung
15

16. Procedure
English Post-test
Pre-test
reading class
• Saxoncourt test for • Saxoncourt test for
•The class met one
Young Learners of Young Learners of
time each week for
English Level 1 English Level 1
the duration of 50
(Style) (Style)
minutes.
• Time: September, • Time: December,
•Time: 3 months
2013 2013
•HESS – Story Fun
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17. Instrument
• Saxoncourt test for Young Learners of English
(Style) ─ Level 1 (200 words)
• Test score ─ 90
I. Reading Section
B. Make the sentences right (V) or wrong (X). (30 points)
A. Choose the correctto the question. (30 points)
C. Match the answer picture. (30 points)
1. I have two rabbits. ( floor. A.
__1. The bear is on the )
1. What time is it? A. I’m 9.
2. It is green plane.on the desk.
__2. Two pens are ( )
2. How old are you? B. It’s 5:30.
1. _____ 2. _____
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18. Instrument
Lesson plan
Story teller Chia- Ying Wu Date 2013. 9
Story Story topic Grade Fourth grade
Vocabulary 6-12 vocabularies
Sentence pattern 2~3 sentences
Procedure activity Time Teaching aids
Warm-up Review 5 ppt, flash cards
Presentation Reading story 25 ppt, storybooks
Practice Sentences 10 ppt
Review Review vocabulary 5 Flash cards
Discussion Discuss the story 5 18

19. Statistical Analysis
How can teachers’ use of English storybooks
improve fifth-grade of elementary school students
reading ability?
ANOVA/T-test
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20. Thanks for listening.
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