Enhancing Vocabulary Instruction for Secondary Students (Revised)

Description

In conjunction with the Texas Education Agency Division of Curriculum and Professional Development, this guide was revised in 2003 from the original version (©2000).

This guide provides an overview of vocabulary development and focuses on ways to enhance vocabulary instruction. It includes strategies for teaching vocabulary and for integrating vocabulary into a lesson. It includes specific instructional strategies for teaching vocabulary skills based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), including using word parts, word association, context clues, and connotative meaning.

This guide also contains information on adaptations for struggling readers and writers (addressing students with disabilities and English language learners). Adaptations of several of the strategies for vocabulary development are included. Also provided are critical features of effective instruction and specific information on integrating the strategies into the classroom.

Professional development guides include the following materials for workshop presenters:

  • Presentation slides, which present key points and activities, offered in two formats: overhead transparencies and Adobe PDF presentations
  • Speaker’s notes and activities to accompany the presentation slides
  • Informational and notetaking handouts for participants
  • References