Will Your Child be Successful?

Vocabulary Acquisition

For many years achievement gaps have plagued communities across this nation. Governments and administrations have implemented several programs over a span of time in order to close this never ending gap and, yet, here we remain with a deficiency in academic performance. I personally believe there are many variables that have contributed to this paucity of success. One being the teaching of vocabulary.

Vocabulary is an important component of all subject areas. Words can be broken into three categories: Tier I (words encountered in basic conversation), Tier II (words that students encounter across all subjects), and Tier III (these are domain specific words that students would encounter in a science class or a history class). Tier II words are words that should be taught and cultivated to reach optimal scholastic success.

As an educator I can attest that not many schools intentionally teach vocabulary, particularly Tier II words. Benchmark assessments use Tier II words in questions and it is expected that students can comprehend these words. But to be honest many don't, especially in academically challenged communities. Often times there is only enough time to teach the standards. Unfortunately, this is not enough.

Students need and should develop word consciousness, with a continuum interest in word knowledge. Word knowledge is the gateway to comprehension. Although nearly impossible to learn the meaning of all words it should be a journey. It is not enough to just teach vocabulary but students should demonstrate understanding by encountering words within text, and even using them in their own writings, which is another way to ignite long term memory.

As a parent how can you begin to implement word knowledge? Without relying solely on teachers to give vocabulary for homework you can require more reading from your child. Ask them to find new words in their books and explain them to you. Google Tier II words for your child's grade level and encourage your child to learn and use them. What is astounding to me is the number of words children encounter an hour.  Low income children hear 616 words an hour, an average working class home a child hears 1,251 words an hour, and a professional working class home a child hears 2,153 words per hour according to a recent study (NAEYC). This is a huge red flag. How many words an hour does your child hear and what can you do to increase this number.

Vocabulary development is attached to the hip with readings and learning as a whole. Let's be proactive and insist that word knowledge be a part of our lives even beyond the classroom.

Felecia Tucker M.Ed

www.bewareofed.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/authorfelecialtucker

Image taken from the following sites: Teachhub.com