Vocabulary

** Vocabulary **refers to the words we must know to communicate effectively. In general, vocabulary can be described as oral vocabulary (words we use in speaking or recognize in listening) or reading vocabulary (words we recognize or use in print). Vocabulary plays an important part in learning to read. As beginning readers, children use the words they have heard to make sense of the words they see in print. Beginning readers have a much more difficult time reading words that are not already part of their oral vocabulary. Vocabulary is also important to reading comprehension. Readers cannot understand what they are reading if they do not know what most of the words mean. As children learn to read more advance texts, they must learn the meaning of new words that are not part of their oral vocabulary.

[] [] (A high school example...but you will get the idea!) [] []
 * Building Academic Vocabulary**: A handbook created by Beverly Public Schools with suggested activities and grade level vocabulary lists by content area.
 * 4 Square Vocabulary:** An interactive way to build word meaning for students.

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 * Vocabulary A-Z**: An online vocabulary list builder that allows you to customize vocabulary lesson plans and vocabulary worksheets using thousands of vocabulary words.

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 * Vocabulary Graphic Organizers**: Teachers can use these graphic organizers with their explicit vocabulary instruction. These tools may also be used as classroom assessment for learning.

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 * Vocabulary Development and Concept Graphic Organizers**: The graphic organizers are PDF files. You will need an Adobe Reader to view and print them.

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 * Vocabulary Logs, Practice Activities and Word Lists:** A source of information on how to implement a varitey of vocabulary activities. This document includes directions, samples and activities.

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