Valuable site on Vocabulary

Here is a site I just discovered that focus on vocabulary for middle grades.  I encourage you to check it out---lots of good references and links

http://wordlabweb.com/blog/vocabulary-building-strategies/

A Powerful Vocabulary: Why? How? What?

A Power Point Presentation

http://www.slideshare.net/FranWWCamp/neayc-workshop-pp-viewing-version

Dialogic Reading Resources

I have long been a fan of Dialogic Reading (by Whitehurst).  Here are two excellent resource:

Reading Rockets: Explanation by Whitehurst of Dialogic Reading

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/dialogic-reading-effective-way-read-preschoolers

A series of short videos demonstrating Dialogic Reading:

http://community.fpg.unc.edu/connect-modules/resources/videos/video-6-8

A Valuable Article on Vocabulary Development of Young Children

Review of Recent Vocabulary Research, 2010

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/support/rmcfinal1.pdf  

The NRP’s synthesis of vocabulary research identified eight findings that provide a scientifically based foundation for the design of rich, multifaceted vocabulary instruction. The findings are:

Here are the first three excerpted from the article:

:”• Provide direct instruction of vocabulary words for a specific text. Anderson and Nagy (1991) pointed out “there are precise words children may need to know in order to comprehend particular lessons or subject matter.”

 • Repetition and multiple exposures to vocabulary items are important. Stahl (2005) cautioned against “mere repetition or drill of the word,” emphasizing that vocabulary instruction should provide students with opportunities to encounter words repeatedly and in a variety of contexts.

• Vocabulary words should be those that the learner will find useful in many contexts. Instruction of high-frequency words known and used by mature language users can add productively to an individual’s language ability (Beck, McKeown, & Kucan, 2002). Research suggests that vocabulary learning follows a developmental trajectory (Biemiller, 2001).”