Making Words Stick

Making Words Stick shows you how to move beyond spelling lists and rote memorization to make words both meaningful and memorable for all your students. It builds on the connection between vocabulary and comprehension and guides teachers in their most important task— building a strong literacy foundation. Full of efficient, effective, and engaging strategies, this useful guide explores innovative ways to organize vocabulary instruction in the grade 1 to 8 classroom. It demonstrates how to: create a positive, student–centered environment for the concept-based, multi-layered learning of words; teach vocabulary during shared reading, guided reading, and independent center time; incorporate visual displays of read aloud/picture study vocabulary to develop important conceptual knowledge; introduce think-and-search prompts and stretch charts to expand word knowledge during shared reading; build reading and writing independence with a wealth of fun small-group, and word-play challenges. From the role of semantics and syntax to original classroom-tested activities, this imaginative guide helps you give your students the lifelong gift of words and language.