You teach vocabulary in shared reading by intentionally pausing during the reading to explicitly explain word meanings and how they are used within the context of the text. Students can then practice using these new words.
Strategies for Vocabulary Instruction During Shared Reading
Shared reading provides an excellent opportunity to introduce and reinforce vocabulary in a meaningful context. Here's a breakdown of how to effectively teach vocabulary during this activity:
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Pre-Selection: Before the shared reading, identify a few key vocabulary words that are essential for understanding the text. These words should be challenging yet accessible to the students.
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Explicit Explanation: During the reading, pause when you encounter a pre-selected vocabulary word.
- Define the word: Provide a clear and concise definition that students can easily understand. Use child-friendly language.
- Contextualize the word: Explain how the word is used in the sentence and within the broader context of the story. Show how the surrounding words provide clues to its meaning.
- Provide examples: Offer examples of how the word can be used in different situations. Relate it to students' experiences whenever possible.
- Use visuals: Show pictures, illustrations, or real objects to help students visualize the word's meaning.
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Interactive Engagement: Encourage student participation to solidify their understanding.
- Ask questions: Pose questions that require students to use the new vocabulary word. For example, "Can you tell me about a time you felt frustrated?"
- Sentence construction: Have students create their own sentences using the vocabulary word.
- Synonyms and antonyms: Discuss words that have similar or opposite meanings to the new vocabulary word.
- Think-Pair-Share: Have students discuss the meaning of the word with a partner.
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Repetition and Reinforcement: Vocabulary learning requires repetition.
- Revisit the word: Refer back to the vocabulary word later in the text or in subsequent lessons.
- Create word walls: Display the vocabulary words on a word wall with definitions and examples.
- Use graphic organizers: Employ tools like Frayer Models to explore different aspects of the word's meaning.
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Adaptation: Adjust your vocabulary instruction based on the needs of your students. If they are struggling with a particular word, provide more support and scaffolding.
Example:
Let's say the chosen text uses the word "tremendous."
- Reader: "The elephant was absolutely tremendous! It was so big." (Pauses)
- Teacher: "Tremendous means very, very big or great. Can you say tremendous?" (Students repeat.) "It's bigger than big, it's tremendous! What is something else that could be described as tremendous?" (Elicits responses). "The elephant was so big, it was tremendous! It was like a tremendous mountain of an elephant!"
By incorporating these strategies, shared reading becomes a powerful tool for vocabulary development, enhancing reading comprehension and overall language skills.
