Vocabulary Means...

As a student I have always hated vocabulary and spelling.  They were some of my worst subjects and I hated to studying for the exams and doing the homework.  I know both are very important and I have tried changing my attitude on the subjects, and have to a point, but reading these articles really enlightened me.  There is a strong connection between vocabulary and reading comprehension, which is why vocabulary instruction is so important.  I hope as a teacher I can promote these subjects by using a word wall and other exciting formats.  The article on Vocabulary Lessons really stuck out to me.  The four practices that teachers can use to expand students' vocabularies and improve their reading. These include developing work awareness and love of words through word play, deliver explicit instruction to develop important vocabulary, build strategies for independence, and engage students actively with a wide range of books. All these are very important for students, but word play is a great way to reach out to younger children.  Making learning fun and allowing vocabulary to become more of a game in their learning accesses their ability to retain the information.  Learning needs to become more interesting and engaging for students to really enjoy school and the subjects they are taking.