Instructional Playbook

Systematic Vocabulary Instruction

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Vocabulary knowledge is fundamental to reading comprehension; one cannot understand text without knowing what most of the words mean. Work by Stahl and Nagy (2006) suggests that vocabulary knowledge contributes between 50 to 60 percent of the variance in reading comprehension outcomes. The proportion of difficult words in a text is the single most powerful predictor of text difficulty, and a reader’s general vocabulary knowledge is the single best predictor of how well that reader can understand text (Stahl & Nagy, 2006). Following the Systematic Vocabulary Routine: allows students to hear and say that word at least 7-10 times teaches syllables or word parts to build connections between root words and the new words created by adding prefixes and suffixes (e.g., predict = pre + dict, unpredictable = un+pre+dict+able) increases reading comprehension allows for greater access to content materials is good for ALL learners, but is critical for multilingual learners and special populations Vocabulary Routine Protocol Introduce the word 1. Count the syllables or word parts 2. Provide a learner-friendly definition of the word and have learners repeat and then write the definition 3. Identify word parts, families, and origin 4. Provide explicit examples, including visuals 5. Check learners’ understanding using sentence frames 6. Deepen learners’ understanding of the term 7. Use, review, and re-check learner understanding over the course of the unit/lesson 8.

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Explicitly teaching critical vocabulary before learners are expected to use it in context Providing multiple opportunities to say the word and use it in various contexts Connecting visuals of the current words of focus and displaying them in prominent locations Translating English vocabulary words without providing context or connection to the content Leaving words posted all year that are not currently related to learning

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WISR Learning

Writing

Inquiry

Speaking & Listening

Reading & Viewing

Using the systematic vocabulary routine with every new vocabulary word is not necessary. The routine should be followed focusing on high leverage words, or words that are key and critical to understanding. Focusing on 1-3 vocabulary words per lesson is recommended. Additional opportunities for learners to use the new vocabulary and its other forms (e.g., predict, predicts, prediction, predicted, predicting) throughout the lesson/unit should be prioritized.

Effect Size: 0.62