"This was an excellent opportunity to learn specific strategies that will work in all subjects for any grade."
—High School Teacher, MA
The Key Vocabulary Routine
Purpose:
Professional development to integrate vocabulary instruction into content learning.
Description:
The Key Vocabulary Routine is a content vocabulary program for grades 4 through 12 that can be used in all classrooms. The program emphasizes the integration of vocabulary instruction in any content area (e.g., science, social studies, English language arts, math).
Research has found that that there is no one best method for vocabulary instruction, and that vocabulary should be taught both directly and indirectly. It has also found that the least effective instructional practice is the memorization of word definitions.
The Key Vocabulary Routine emphasizes growth of vocabulary through wide reading, multiple exposures to words and linking new words to background knowledge. The teacher training includes hands-on practice for the following:
- Providing direct, systematic instruction of specific content vocabulary and how to select the most appropriate new words from content reading material
- Teaching a word in relation to other words using activities such as categorizing, semantic feature analysis, and semantic mapping
- Analyzing word structure and teaching word parts, including the most common roots, suffixes and prefixes
- Teaching strategies for using context to determine word meaning
- Teaching strategies for effective use of a dictionary and creating student generated definitions
- Initial two-day training for teachers. Onsite professional development for all teachers participating in the program. As part of the training, teachers use their own classroom textbooks and reading material to select key vocabulary and practice generating instructional activities.
- Follow-up support for teachers. Follow-up visits (approximately every three to six weeks) by the trainer with teachers in small groups. Teachers share sample lessons and activities incorporating The Key Vocabulary Routine that they have used in their classrooms.
Professional development for The Key Vocabulary Routine consists of two components:
The Key Vocabulary Routine is a research-based professional development program. Learn about the research supporting The Key Vocabulary Routine.