Cracking the Code and Building Academic Vocabulary

One of the major shifts reflected in today’s standards has been the integration of more complex vocabulary. These more challenging words used within directions, questions, and prompts require that classroom instruction focus on more than just the content and concepts of each subject. Teachers must also decode the sophisticated discourse that appears in the after-reading tasks.

• Teach students to understand the expectations of the task.
• Identify functional words to be taught among the grade levels.
• Identify ways to incorporate this more sophisticated teacher talk into daily classroom routines.

This workshop will expand participants’ understanding of vocabulary development and the instructional techniques that are effective in helping students  expand their meaning vocabularies.

Participants will learn how to assess students’ vocabulary knowledge and select words from a text that are most useful for instruction, including those with high frequency Greek and Latin word parts. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to explore online resources for vocabulary development and assess their own current vocabulary teaching strategies. Packed with practical tips and resources, this session will appeal to educators who are interested in learning new ways to extend their students’ knowledge of words.