Explicit Vocabulary Instruction: Direct Teaching of Target Words
The desired outcome of skilled reading is understanding and learning from text. Explicit vocabulary instruction is a member of a set of evidence-based teaching practices shown to improve reading comprehension in adolescent learners. This type of instruction teaches new vocabulary with many opportunities for student practice and review. Through explicit instruction on target vocabulary, students understand important and useful words that facilitate their comprehension of grade level text (est. completion time: 4 hours).
Prerequisites
Completion of The Simple View of Reading comprehensive learning module, or sufficient background knowledge of the Simple View of Reading.
Module Description
This module is the first part of a two-part series on Explicit Vocabulary Instruction. Part 1 presents explicit vocabulary instruction as a method to improve adolescent literacy. You will learn how to directly and explicitly teach target vocabulary words using step-by-step instructional routines, activities, and sequences that are easily implemented in the classroom. Part 2 will describe how to teach students word learning strategies that can be applied independently in the classroom. Part 2 will describe how to teach students word learning strategies that can be applied independently during reading.
In this module, the following topics are discussed in text, linked resources, and embedded audio and videos:
- Vocabulary and its impact on academic success
- Direct teaching of specific words
- Selecting words to teacher
- Conveying a word’s meaning
- Engaging actively with words
- Repeated practice
- Educator and expert perspectives on vocabulary instruction
Helpful Resources Related to this Module:
Module Resources
An outline of the module’s main content and supporting resources.
Welcome & Navigation
Step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules.
Ohio Literacy Library
In-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
