Vocabulary in Action

Fawcett takes readers into the classrooms of exemplary teachers, providing a glimpse of research-based vocabulary instruction in action. There is no shortage of books on strategies for teaching vocabulary. This book is unique in that it goes beyond the how-to's and focuses on the story of what the strategy looks like when enacted in a real classroom. Each chapter begins with contextual information about the teacher, the students, and the strategy. Then, through the use of actual classroom dialogue and student work samples, the strategy comes to life for the reader. This window onto the on-the-spot decision making of a master teacher can be particularly valuable for pre-service and beginning teachers in helping to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Fawcett has over 30 years' experience in the classroom and has cowritten books with noted literacy researchers Tim Rasinski and Nancy Padak. Fawcett's expertise has resulted in a teacher-friendly resource that is firmly rooted in research-based best practice. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. * CHOICE *
What makes this book special is that it focuses on classroom teachers who are “walking the walk.” Educators know that vocabulary development is essential for reading comprehension. This book provides teacher-friendly, tried and true vocabulary strategies that will work with all students... which is exactly what every child deserves. -- Tammi Bender, Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Principal
In pragmatic and comprehensible ways, Fawcett’s book quickly gets to the heart of the matter: vocabulary acquisition requires meaningful interactions with language. A quick and powerful teaching resource, these effective practices featured from across the country encourage readers to take simple routines and introduce them into practice for a positive impact on student learning! -- Beth Anne Clark-Thomas, Ph.D., Professor of Education, Malone University, Canton, Ohio
Thanks to Gay Fawcett for assembling this outstanding cast of educators who share her passion for helping children learn to read. The result is a delightful menu of proven techniques that make vocabulary development exciting and fun. As a poet, I kept nodding “yes!” over the use of root words, poetry, songs, oral reading and other great word ideas. This is a must-have book for your classroom! -- David L. Harrison, Poet Laureate, Drury University