•Vocabulary refers to the words we must know to communicate effectively. Oral vocabulary refers to words that we use in speaking or recognize in listening. Reading vocabulary refers to words we recognize or use in print.
•Vocabulary is important because beginning readers use their oral vocabulary to make sense of the words they see in print. Readers must know what most of the words mean before they can understand what they are reading.
•Vocabulary can be developed indirectly, when students engage daily in oral language, listen to adults read to them, and read extensively on their own. Vocabulary can be developed directly, when students are explicitly taught both individual words and word learning strategies.
•Vocabulary is important because beginning readers use their oral vocabulary to make sense of the words they see in print. Readers must know what most of the words mean before they can understand what they are reading.
•Vocabulary can be developed indirectly, when students engage daily in oral language, listen to adults read to them, and read extensively on their own. Vocabulary can be developed directly, when students are explicitly taught both individual words and word learning strategies.