Vocabulary in Action

Gay Fawcett has been in education for over 38 years as a teacher, principal, curriculum director, and professor. She currently consults and writes in the field of literacy education.

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.

• Foreword by Timothy V. RasinskiPrefaceIntroduction Chapter 1: Principles of Vocabulary Instruction When Does a Student Know a Word?Indirect Learning of Vocabulary Read Alouds Talk With Children Independent Reading Direct Vocabulary Instruction What Works? What Words? Guidelines for Vocabulary Instruction Conclusion Reflection and Action Knowledge Rating Chart Chapter 2: The Importance of Routines in Vocabulary InstructionVocabulary Routine in Parchment, MichiganSelecting Vocabulary Words Five Day PlanStephanie Murphy's Favorite: Story ImpressionConclusionReflection and ActionChapter 3: You Don't Have to be Greek to Teach Greek and Latin Roots! Morphology Instruction in Fairfax County, VirginiaFinding the Connection Expanding the Word Roots Approach into Other Classrooms Vocabulary Routines Independent Reading Classroom Talk WOW Words Joanna Newton's Favorite: Root of the Week Conclusion Reflection and Action Meeting Procedure: Focused Free Write Chapter 4: Creating a Classroom Context That Supports Vocabulary Instruction Establishing a Culture That All Students Deserve in Shawnee, KansasTeacher Attitude and EnthusiasmJeri Power's Students Vocabulary Routines Independent Reading Writing Read Alouds Jeri Power's Favorite: Exhausted Word Maps Conclusion Reflection and Action Meeting Procedure: Consultation Line Chapter 5: Vocabulary Strategies: Where to Look FirstEffective Vocabulary Strategies Learned From Colleagues in Stow, OhioVocabulary Routines Awesome Words Family Involvement Note Card SummariesJackie Zaucha's Favorite: Word Ladders Conclusion Reflection and Action Template for Planning a Word Ladder Chapter 6: Be an Active Decision-Maker When Planning Vocabulary Instruction Vocabulary Instruction within the Context of Standards, Tests, and Accountability in Baltimore, Maryland Vocabulary Routines Word SplashMake It Mine Words Vocabulary Tree Baby Words Vocabulary Bookmarks Jill Johnson-McMullan's Favorite: Context Clues Conclusion Reflection and Action Meeting Procedure: Carousel Chapter 7: Teacher Modeling for Vocabulary Instruction A Life of Reading, Writing, and Thinking in Kent, OhioAssessing Students' Interests and Needs Vocabulary Routines Quiet Reading Read Alouds Patriotic Songs and Texts Connecting Spelling and Vocabulary Instruction Michele McComb's Favorite: Index Cards Conversations Conclusion Reflection and Action Chapter 8: Filling Your Classroom with WordsA Word Filled Classroom in Orlando, FloridaWord Wall RoutinePatrick Hernan's Favorite: Word Wall BingoConclusionReflection and ActionChapters 9: Teaching Vocabulary in Meaningful Contexts Learning Vocabulary through Supplemental Reading Instruction in Ganado, Arizona Vocabulary Study with LiteratureKnowledge BoxesVocabulary Study with Non-Fiction TextsElaina Vann's Favorite: Vocabulary Development through the SensesParent Involvement ConclusionReflection and ActionMeeting Procedure: JigsawChapter 10: Professional Development and Vocabulary InstructionProfessional Development in Chula Vista, CaliforniaVocabulary RoutinesThink AloudsChants Susan Dowell's Favorite: The Farmer in the DellConclusion Reflection and Action Meeting Procedure: Give One, Get OneChapter 11: Vocabulary Instruction for Children with Special NeedsVocabulary Instruction for Children with Special Needs in Mayfield, OhioVocabulary RoutinesScaffolding with PicturesWord WebsAlpha BoxesSally Maher's Favorite: Language CalendarConclusionReflection and ActionMeeting Procedure: KivaChapter 12: Oral Vocabulary Leads Reading VocabularyOral Language Instruction in Springfield, Missouri Vocabulary Routines Structured Conversations Teacher ModelingInformal Social Language Development Parent Newletters Abby Lowe's Favorite: Kinesthetic Read Alouds Conclusion Reflection and Action Meeting Procedure: Silent ConversationChapter 13: Resources Online ResourcesOnline DictionariesWebsites for Professional ReadingWebsites for Teaching Word RootsProfessional BooksChildren's Literature for Teaching VocabularyReferences