Welcome
Vocabulary plays a crucial role in learning to read and is essential for reading comprehension. The more words a reader knows, the better they can understand a text. This module explores indirect vocabulary learning, explicit instruction of specific words, and the direct instruction and modeling of independent word-learning strategies as part of a comprehensive literacy plan.
Time estimate: 2.5-3 hours
Welcome!
Welcome to the ninth module in the Primary Literacy series, Teaching Vocabulary, in the ALL Ohio Literacy Library! This module is geared towards all educators and other interested stakeholders who want to further their knowledge about teaching language comprehension skills to develop strong, skilled readers. In this module, you’ll learn how to teach background knowledge, literacy knowledge, vocabulary, and language structures using grade-level complex texts. As educators, caregivers, and other roles that support children and education, we must understand that strong word recognition alone will not create proficient readers, therefore an emphasis on language comprehension skills throughout each grade K-5 is necessary in elementary education.
Whether you are an early interventionist, caregiver, teacher, administrator, paraprofessional, parent, related service provider, higher education faculty or candidate, or have another role in helping a child develop their reading skills, we want to first say THANK YOU. We know that your time is valuable and you would not be here if you weren’t interested in supporting outcomes for young children and families.
Prerequisites
We recommend completing The Simple View of Reading Module before enrolling in this module.
Module Description
Welcome! This module is part of the Primary: K-5 series designed to assist all educators and other interested stakeholders in helping students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become proficient readers. In this module, you will learn about the two main types of vocabulary instruction: incidental or indirect learning and explicit vocabulary instruction. You will also explore independent word-learning strategies and how to support students with diverse needs.
The following topics are discussed in the text, linked resources, embedded audio, and video:
- Vocabulary Knowledge and Development
- Types of Vocabulary Instruction
- Indirect Vocabulary Learning
- Specific Word Instruction
- Word-Learning Strategies
- Supporting Diverse Student Needs
- Summing It Up
After completing this module, we encourage you to enroll in any of our other Primary Literacy modules to learn about literacy basics that are essential for students of all ages.
This module aligns with Ohio’s Plan to Raise Literacy Achievement, the importance of evidence-based, differentiated core literacy instruction, and Ohio’s Multitiered System of Supports structure as a Theory of Action to guide the design of effective instruction and appropriate interventions as part of school improvement efforts.
In addition, the module aligns with the following recommendations in the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Practice Guide – Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade
- Recommendation 1: Teach students academic language skills, including the use of inferential and narrative language and vocabulary knowledge.
Learning Objectives
Recall evidence-based research findings related to effective vocabulary instruction.
Identify examples of the different types of vocabulary instruction.
Apply evidence-based strategies for teaching vocabulary.
Identify classroom indicators and environmental, cultural, and social factors related to vocabulary knowledge and learning.
Define key terms associated with vocabulary knowledge and learning.
Apply the use of specific vocabulary strategies for supporting diverse student needs.
Course Navigation, Design, and Policies
Throughout each course, you will see a Course Outline with a green ribbon and the title of the course at the top right corner of the page. The outline displays every section of the course. Click any section to jump right to it.
At any time you are in a module, you can go back to the Home Module page by clicking the Back to Module button located directly under the module outline.
As you go through the course, you will have the opportunity to click the Mark Complete box at the end of each section. When you do this, the sections you have completed will be crossed off in your outline, and you will be taken to the next section of the course.
Your progress will automatically be saved within the learning management system, and you can view your course progress through the progress bar located near the top of most sections.
Exiting and Resuming a Module
Know that your progress will automatically be saved within the learning management system. If you exit the website, once you log back in you can easily access your courses by clicking the on the My Dashboard button located on the gray ribbon on top of every page.
Note Feature within the Modules
Throughout each module, you will notice some Reflection boxes that provide various prompts. Each reflection will be in a grey box with an image of a pen/lightbulb. A built in feature of each module is the ability to take notes and save them for your future use. This feature can be used within any part of the module, but is especially helpful for the reflection activities.
To access the note feature, simply click on the purple Take Notes button fixed in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. When you click on this button, a Take Notes box will appear. This box can be moved anywhere on the screen. Within the box, there is a SAVE button as well as a Print Button.
The easiest way to print all the notes you take from the entire module is to click View All Notes. When you click View All Notes, you will be taken to a page like the one below.
Click the boxes of the Notes you would like to print, and then click Download Selected. All your notes will be downloaded into one document separated by headers.
All Ohio’s comprehensive learning modules are relevant to any educator working to support students’ literacy development. In each module, you will find in-depth narrative text, linked resources, realistic scenarios, reflection activities, and embedded audio and videos.
Each module is self-paced. The approximate time for completion of the module is listed in the Simple View of Reading Module text box on the home page of the module.
Additional information included on each module’s home page include:
- Required prerequisites for the module.
- A more detailed description of the module.
- Helpful downloadable resources for the module including an outline of the module’s content and supporting resources, a step-by-step guide to assist you in navigating the professional learning modules, and an in-depth information about the purpose and key elements of the Ohio Literacy Library.
Certificates
Professional Development Certificates
are available for each comprehensive learning module. To earn a Professional Development Certificate, you must obtain a passing score of 85% or more on the module post-test. Please note that you are only allowed up to two attempts to obtain a passing score to earn your certificate.Badges
When completing professional development modules within All Ohio, you can earn badges based on your engagement in and mastery of content within each comprehensive learning module. You earn
Achievement Badges when you demonstrate proficiency with module content (i.e., obtaining a score of at least 85%), whereas Engagement Badges are awarded based on your level of participation on the site. Your earned Certificates and Badges will be displayed on your “All Ohio Dashboard.”
If you have any issues with accessing the content or functionality of this course, please email: allohioprojectteam@uc.edu
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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.