Vocabulary is so important to learning and reading comprehension. Whether you're in the Logographic stage, or the Orthographic stage, vocabulary is just as important! BUT, it is important to remember that when words are taught directly, they must be kept to a small amount- words need to be taught thoroughly and there needs to be time for students to meet them in many different contexts in order for them to understand and remember the vocabulary!
"When you see or hear words, your brain makes connections to those words. Your brain does not think of definition"(Allington & Cunningham 95).
It is important to bring real things into the classroom and give them meaning!
This simple activity is such a great way for children in any stage- but ideally in the beginning stages. All you need is a cup, or bowl, and items that you can you put in it that serve as "vocabulary words". 
This activity is for children in the orthographic stage of literacy. This is a great resource for students to understand words that may not be tangible or just simply new vocabulary words that are foreign to students! Understanding all of these different aspects of the key word is such a great way to fully understand and remember the vocabulary word!
Things to think about:
1. How many vocab words do you remember having to learn in your language arts classes in your early education?
2. Do you remember all of or any of the vocab you were taught in language arts?
I remember learning about 10 vocabulary words every week along with my spelling words. I remember most of the vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteI think using tactile examples of vocabulary are very important. I think picture are another way to help young or struggling readers. Sometimes the lack of connection between a word(graphemes) a mental representation can be bridged if studen't have something to look at other than letters.
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