According to the research reviewed from the National Reading Panel (2000), vocabulary is learned both indirectly and directly. Students learn vocabulary directly when they are explicitly taught both individual words and word-learning strategies. When word meanings are difficult or complex and not part of a child’s experiences, direct instruction of vocabulary found in particular text leads to a better reading comprehension. The Four Part Vocabulary program provides information to assist teachers and schools as they improve their research based vocabulary instruction.
Students add an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 words to their vocabularies each year. No amount of formal vocabulary instruction could result in the attainment of this large of a vocabulary each year. Students must learn the meaning of about eight new words a day to accomplish this growth. Research confirms that high quality instruction can address and overcome the issues surrounding oral language and vocabulary development. Michael Graves and his colleagues, authors of the book Teaching Reading in the 21st Century, advocate the use of a four-part vocabulary program. The four parts of the program include fostering word consciousness, encouraging wide reading, teaching individual words, and teaching word learning strategies. This presentation describes each part, explains how to incorporate each into your classroom and create a vocabulary rich environment.
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