Teaching Academic Vocabulary K-8

An important guide for all educators, from novices to seasoned teachers. It is timely, research based, practical, and reader friendly. Vocabulary instruction is discussed in the context of the Common Core, with attention to new literacies and the needs of all learners, including English language learners. The examples are authentic and come from teachers in K-8 classrooms, making the suggested practices easily applicable to 'real' texts and teaching situations. All of the information is clearly explained through words, examples, and visuals that make the content easy to understand and use.--Adriana L. Medina, PhD, Department of Reading and Elementary Education, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

This book unlocks the mysteries of teaching academic vocabulary and addresses teachers' common concerns and questions, such as how to select appropriate words to teach, how to teach academic vocabulary across all content areas, and how to use new technologies to enhance instruction. As an instructor of reading methods courses for undergraduate preservice teachers, I would eagerly use this text to provide a firm theoretical foundation for my students with regard to the critical role of vocabulary instruction in the K-8 classroom. The authors take the reader into schools and classrooms to explore strategies for effective instruction. They not only tell the reader, they show the reader, clearing up any fuzziness about teaching academic vocabulary and bringing it into sharp focus.--Donna Savage, EdS, Lecturer, Department of Teaching and Learning, Old Dominion University

The authors, who are leading experts on vocabulary research and instruction, do a masterful job of laying the foundation for language development in English language arts and across the content areas. The disciplinary focus is especially relevant as it relates to the increased expectations of the Common Core State Standards. Classroom teachers will want to have this book at their fingertips when planning vocabulary instruction; teacher educators will find it a valuable addition to their literacy coursework.--Brenda J. Overturf, EdD, literacy consultant, Louisville, Kentucky; Chair (2012-2013), IRA Common Core StateStandards Committee

This book demonstrates the importance of vocabulary instruction--and happily, it also provides a clear lens into how to do the job in a meaningful way, including examples of both schoolwide and classroom applications. The rich base of research and theory makes this a useful text both for college courses and for professional development providers. As teachers across the country work to help their students engage with increasingly complex texts, building a deeper understanding of the words within those texts is critical to success.--Connie Obrochta, MEd, Reading Recovery teacher leader, Evanston-Skokie (Illinois) School District 65 -