It’s amazing to think how much students’ vocabularies can grow! Tompkins (2018) wrote, “Capable students’ vocabularies grow about 3,000 to 4,000 a year…by the time they graduate from high school, their vocabularies reach 25,000-50,000 words or more” (p.219). While this is quite a broad range, the possibilities for students are quite incredible. It’s our job as teachers to try and cultivate this growth for students and make developing vocabulary fun!
For students who are emerging bilinguals, it is essential to bridge their native language knowledge with English. English has so many challenges, from homonyms to homophones. However, as English has borrowed words from other languages, this can help students take words that they already know and find the similar English word. For example, “frío” in Spanish is “cold” in English, or another word could be “frigid” or “freezing.” I don’t want my students to feel that they have to lose their native language to learn English. We need to find ways to build on their funds of knowledge to help develop their vocabulary.
Tompkins (2018) offered many great strategies to teach students how to unlock word meanings, from word walls, word posters, and word maps to dramatizing words, word sorts, and word chains. It is essential that we incorporate various activities that reach our students because vocabulary knowledge and reading achievement are closely related (p.220). The larger vocabulary students have helps them become better readers, and the more students read, the more opportunities they have to figure out meanings of unfamiliar words.
One of the best memories of learning new words in school was through the use of wordplay. This came in the forms of alliteration, hyperboles, onomatopoeia, oxymorons, palindromes, and personification. It made me realize how fun language can be when it’s used in different ways. Dr. Seuss is commonly used and introduces these concepts for students. Another way that I would introduce vocabulary to my students is through songs and poems, as they are engaging and illustrate creativity. I hope that my students learn to love vocabulary as they grow their knowledge
Reference: Tompkins, G. E. (2018).Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach 7thEd. New York: Pearson
Ariana's Teaching Journey 
I am going to start incorporating more words on my wall and new strategies in my classroom for my students to acquire high level vocabulary words. Thank you so much for elaborating and diving in deep with the vocabulary strategies. I am going to check out your blog way more because your explanation on the chapter is very engaging.
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As a fellow teacher, I can relate to the notion that it is crucial not just to broaden students’ vocabularies, but also incorporate engaging and useful techniques in the educational process. Consequently, there are several approaches towards teaching bilingual students, and you mentioned one of them which entails drawing connections between the two languages. While it can certainly present promising results, such a technique can confuse students and lead to mixing words from different languages.
Finally, the importance of exposing students to new words and language as a whole cannot be understated. As you outlined, there are numerous engaging ways which can significantly facilitate the educational process. However, while your examples present a way to get familiar with a new phrase or words, it is also important to practice its use. Thus, I would recommend incorporating newly learned words in similar engaging activities to ensure that a student can effectively manipulate his or her vocabulary.
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I am with you with not having students to lose their native language. The beauty of languages is unexplainable in my sense. So many languages exist and students are exposed to them whether they speak another language at home other than English, and even the internet. Knowing the funds of knowledge of children is important because that will be easier for educators to guide them better with their academics. I am so happy that there are dual immersion schools now a days because students are now able to learn everyday vocabulary and academic vocabulary in different languages and not just in English.
It is true about students who have larger vocabulary knowledge and being good readers. If students are exposed to vocabulary and read on a daily basis, that will build their comprehension skills too. The more kids read, the more words they are exposed to and the better they will identify them.
Awesome post! I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.
-Ana Rodriguez
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I love how the first thing you brought up was that quote about how many words we should know by high school because this blew me away as well. I see the number and can’t believe it, but the more i think about it, the more true it is. I think it is extremely important for students to have fun while learning new vocabulary.
I think the use of word play is essential because it brings new types of words into the classroom. When the students are learning hyperbole, alliteration, similes and metaphors, they are learning new vocabulary just through a different lens. I love singing songs and chants with the students as well. Especially in the younger grades. Thank you for sharing!
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Prior knowledge is key. We need to build on students funds of knowledge when teaching anything because this helps students to connect to the topic and therefore become more engaged in the lesson. I too believe that the use of Dr. Seuss is important when learning new vocabulary as well as being able to see the excitement in learning.
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