Summer 2014: Learning Together. Crestwood Summer Book Club
Research confirms that vocabulary development is a crucial factor in developing reading comprehension skills. In fact, some literacy experts consider word knowledge to be the key to
Research confirms that vocabulary development is a crucial factor in developing reading comprehension skills. In fact, some literacy experts consider word knowledge to be the key to
advanced learning. For high-poverty students and English language learners (ELLs), vocabulary
development is especially important because limited word skills can stunt academic progress.By July 4th, read chapters 1-3 of Word Nerd and respond to at least one of the questions that follow...
Chapter 1
A. Vocabulary knowledge has consistently been correlated with school achievement. How and why
do you think vocabulary achievement relates to student success?
B. Margot and Leslie have very different teaching styles, yet each of them effectively
develops the vocabulary knowledge of her high-poverty students. What makes
each classroom a place where students develop word confidence?
C. Discuss the benefits of establishing a daily vocabulary routine. How does the routine
fit into a vocabulary cycle? Would a vocabulary routine be important for the students you teach? Why and how?
Chapter 3
D. How do Margot and Leslie address students’ needs (emotional, social, academic)as they are
introducing new words?
E. The Common Core State Standards stress students’ use of context clues to determine
the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases. Discuss the ways that Leslie and Margot teach
students about context when introducing new vocabulary. Why is it important to do so?
