Vocabulary Development

The Relationship Between Word Knowledge and Comprehension

Questions About Vocabulary What is the relationship between

vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension?

How many words do people know? What are effective methods of teaching

vocabulary knowledge?

Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension Relationship

The Instrumentalist Hypothesis

Vocabulary Knowledge Reading Comprehension

Knowledge of words causes reading comprehension:1) If word knowledge helps people to understand, texts with more difficult words are more difficult to understand.

2) Teaching word meanings should improve comprehension.

Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension Relationship

The Knowledge Hypothesis

Vocabulary Knowledge Reading Comprehension

1) Knowledge of word meanings themselves do not cause people to comprehend text.2) Word meanings are not unrelated bits of information, but are parts of larger knowledge structures.

Topic Knowledge

Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension Relationship

The General Ability Hypothesis

Vocabulary Knowledge Reading Comprehension

1) Vocabulary knowledge is strongly related to intelligence.2) Correlation between vocabulary and comprehension is due to

general ability.

General Ability

Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension Relationship

All three say something important. Instrumentalist is most important for

teachers because it suggests that teaching words will improve comprehension.

Which is true?

How many words do people know?

45,000250,000-500,00088,700

How many words do people know?

1075,00083,000

How many words do people know?

30010x303,000

What are effective methods for teaching vocabulary knowledge?

Direct Instruction Wide Reading Use of Context

Frayer Diagram

Word

Definition Sentence

Example Non-Example

Frayer Diagram

lackadaisical

Definition Sentence

Example Non-Example

Lacking life, spirit, or zest

The lackadaisical dog couldn’t be bothered to leave the porch, even when the cat strolled by with a taunting glare.

languid, lazy

Orangutans at the zoo

energetic, vivacious

Jack Russell terrier

Inductive Word Study Students are given cards with words to be

learned. In small groups, students sort the words in

ways that make sense to them. The students explain how they defined their

groups. Students are encouraged to regroup the

words in a different way.

3x3 Vocabulary Students are given a 3x3 grid and write one

word in each box. Once the sheet is filled out, students write

six sentences which illustrate the relationships between the words: column 1, down; row 2, across; etc.

3x3 Vocabulary Context clues Background

knowledge Meaning Concept Graphic organizers Strategy(ies)

Direct instruction Word walls Comprehension Word maps Graphic organizers Word study Definitions