Nourishing Vocabulary : Balancing Words and Learning

"Very important for everyone working with students on developing literacy and improving their overall education. Vocabulary instruction is a critical topic, and there is a great need for a well-developed program that can be readily implemented. This is one of the most thorough books on the topic." --Mary Amato, Literacy Coach Alexander Graham Bell School, Chicago, IL "This book addresses not only the need for vocabulary development, but also tools to use in the classroom. I liked how easy the tools and strategies were to work into everyday classroom activities and across the curriculum. Very practical." --Stephanie Malin, Elementary Instructional Coach Beaverton School District, OR Nurture children′s intellectual growth with rich language experiences! All children need a strong verbal foundation in order to participate fully in school experiences. Aligned with findings from the National Reading Panel Report, Nourishing Vocabulary emphasizes the importance of supporting students′ academic development with targeted vocabulary instruction that includes a wide range of language forms and words. The authors provide sound theory and practical techniques to help teachers bridge the achievement gap by strengthening vocabulary, deepening literacy skills, and raising performance levels for all children. This rich resource includes a wealth of specific strategies for: Vocabulary acquisition Read-alouds and independent reading Decoding unknown words Helping students distinguish between language patterns at home and at school When fully explored, a literacy program focused on vocabulary building, problem solving strategies, word consciousness, and an appreciation for oral language can result in meaningful, complex learning experiences that contribute to students′ academic and real-world success.