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Why Vocabulary Matters

The Importance of Learning Vocabulary: Why I focus on vocabulary building

by Elaine Panwar at The Gaussian School

Vocabulary is the foundation of literacy in both the humanities and the sciences. Concepts cannot be understood without the building blocks of language. In fact, vocabulary knowledge is responsible for 70–80% of reading comprehension. I develop the other 20%-30% of reading comprehension in my classes through a direct instruction model I call “wondering, examining, and connecting” (WEC). Children’s vocabulary knowledge influences the fluency (ease and speed) of their reading, which in turn leads to increased interest in reading a wider variety of texts. It is a virtuous cycle that needs continual nurturing. Naturally, building vocabulary knowledge leads to strong academic achievement.

Strengthening vocabulary knowledge, however, is not restricted to reading and vocabulary books. Children who have the opportunity to listen to conversations about topics beyond their daily lives and to discuss stories or informational texts that explore uncommon experiences or ideas benefit from a larger and deeper vocabulary knowledge. Create a home environment that celebrates exploration of ideas and knowledge. Turn off the electronics, read as a family, or watch the news and discuss current events. Don’t forget the greatest storehouse of knowledge, your neighborhood library! Parents often ask me for book recommendations. I have provided several booklists, culled by librarians, on my website. Choose a book, grab a chair, and read!

I focus on vocabulary development through both the vocabulary book and the magazine articles students read. Connecting vocabulary learning with reading is a central component of a good reader. Since vocabulary is learned through repeated practice, I test students on previously-learned words, and we include new words in writing exercises. Please make sure your child reviews his/her vocabulary words on a regular basis, especially the new words from the articles. By the end of the academic year, students in my English program have learned hundreds of new words and have made dramatic improvement in their reading comprehension!

Regards,

Elaine Panwar

www.thegaussian.org

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