Vocabulary instruction failing US students
Vocabulary instruction in the early years is not challenging
enough to prepare students for long-term reading comprehension, argues a study
led by a Michigan State University education researcher. The study, which
appears in Elementary School Journal,analyzed
commonly used reading curricula in U.S. kindergarten classrooms. It found that,
generally, the programs do not teach enough vocabulary words; the words aren't
challenging enough; and not enough focus is given to make sure students
understand the meaning of the words.
"Vocabulary
instruction does not seem to have an important enough role in the curricula
given how substantial it is for kids' long-term academic success," said
Tanya Wright, MSU assistant professor of teacher education and lead researcher
on the study.
The
research by Wright and Susan Neuman from the University of Michigan comes on
the heels of a National Assessment of Educational Progress report that showed
poor and minority students struggle with vocabulary achievement. Low vocabulary
scores were associated with low reading comprehension scores on the NAEP test.
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Wright
said low-income children may start school with 10,000 fewer words than other
students and are then exposed to reading programs that teach as few as two
vocabulary words per week. She said more than 10 vocabulary words should be
taught every week -- not just in reading class but across all subject areas
including math, science and social studies.
The
words should also be more challenging, Wright said. For example,
"hysterical" could be used instead of "funny."
"We
found that most of the words that are being taught are common words that the
kids will learn in everyday language anyway," Wright said.
Further,
the study found that not enough attention was given to reviewing vocabulary
words -- or going back over the words in different contexts -- and to
monitoring whether the students truly grasped their meanings.
"So
you're spending time teaching something," Wright said, "but not
spending time checking if the kids ever learned it."
Source: Michigan State University
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Posted by Unknown
on Friday, January 25, 2013.
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