Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Words ... words ... words

They are all around us. We think them, hear them, say them, read them, and write them down. 

Vocabulary is a term used to describe all the words in a language. Having a strong vocabulary helps us understand what we hear and read, express our thoughts and feelings, write a story, learn in the classroom, make friends, and participate in life. Strong vocabulary is critical for literacy development. 

To support vocabulary development:

• Encourage students to ask, "What does that word mean?” 
• Check in with students, “Do you know what that word means?”  “What does it make you think of?” 
• Provide straight forward, student friendly example definitions, or use the word in a range of sentences, across contexts, such as in the classroom, at home, and in the playground 
• Ask students to use the word in a sentence or define the word  
• Review new vocabulary as learning new words needs lots of repetition   
• Encourage the student to record their new words in a place that can be revisited and accessed easily to help with retention 

Helpful Websites:  

• The DLD Project https://thedldproject.com/  
• Language Disorder Australia https://languagedisorder.org.au/  
• Speech Pathology Australia https://speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/  
• NSW Education https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/literacy-and-numeracy/teaching-and-learning-resources/literacy/effective-reading-in-the-early-years-of-school/vocabulary
• Reading Rockets https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-101/reading-and-writing-basics/vocabulary