Laura Robb provides teachers with a way to be systematic with vocabulary instruction so that students gain the multiple exposures to words they need in order to acquire them. With an emphasis on teaching students in the midst of authentic reading situations, Robb augments her lessons with passages and short texts and reproducibles included in the book. Thus, each of the dozens of lessons in the book involves complex text interactions, group work, and independent practice. Chapters address roots, suffixes, and prefixes; figurative language; general academic and domain-specific vocabulary; and informative assessments. The strategies apply across the content areas and emphasize understanding words within context.

Foreword by Kathy GanskeAcknowledgmentsChapter 1. How the Common Core Has Changed the Rules of the Game Forever (Even If the Standards Go Away) Big Ambition: Vocabulary in the Context of All the ELA Standards Vocabulary in the Context of Complex Text Reading Research Highlights The Lesson Structure: 10 to 15 Minutes a Day The Big 10 Approach to Reading Words Closely The Big 10 and the Common Core Vocabulary Standards Collaborate and LearnChapter 2. Ten Short Lessons for the Big 10 Which Words Do I Teach? Laying Out the Lessons for the Big 10 Elements of the Lesson Lesson 1: Understanding Descriptive Words to Visualize Lesson 2: Decode and Define Multisyllable Words Lesson 3: Understanding Personification Lesson 4: Write to Show Understanding of Words Lesson 5: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Multiple Meanings Lesson 6: Connecting Words to a Text¿s Concepts Lesson 7: Understanding Denotative and Connotative Meanings Lesson 8: Showing Word Knowledge via Twitter Lesson 9: Four Words to Respond to Texts Lesson 10: Multiple Forms, Multiple Meanings Collaborate and LearnChapter 3. Figurative Language Helping Students Not to Be Cowed by Figurative Language Guidelines for Reading Poetry Lesson 1: Alliteration Lesson 2: Metaphor Lesson 3: Onomatopoeia Lesson 4: Repetition Lesson 5: Simile Lesson 6: Symbols and Symbolism Lesson 7: Idioms Using Discussions to Interpret Figurative Language Three Reproducibles for Discussing and Writing About Poems Discussions on Class Blogs Collaborate and LearnChapter 4. Getting to the Root of Words What the Common Core State Standards Have to Say Review Lessons on Prefixes and Suffixes Lesson 1: Prefixes Lesson 2: Suffixes A Five-Day Routine for Teaching Roots Lesson 3: Expand Vocabulary With Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes Lesson 4: Make Words With Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots How to Link the Lessons to Students¿ Reading More Strategies That Use Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes Lesson 5: Prefix Brainstorm Lesson 6: Denotation-Connotation Map Collaborate and LearnChapter 5. General Academic and Domain-Specific Vocabulary The CCR Anchor Standards for Reading Quick Recap: How the Lessons in This Book Address the Anchor Standards Four Categories of Academic Vocabulary The Best Use of Word Lists Why General Academic Vocabulary Is Key Basic Elements of General Academic Vocabulary Lessons Lessons for Teaching General Academic Words Lesson 1: Rate Your Word Knowledge Lesson 2: ABC List and Link Lesson 3: Concept Map and Writing Lesson 4: Words in the World Lesson 5: Making Analogies on a Class Wiki or Blog Lesson 6: Tweeting for Word Learning Collaborate and LearnChapter 6. Assessing Vocabulary So How Are They Reading Complex Texts? Informative Assessment and Responsive Teaching Why Final Tests Are Problematic Gathering Data Throughout the Lessons Making Instructional Decisions and Modifications Introducing Lessons: The First Day Practicing the Lessons: Second and Possibly Third Days Applying the Lessons: Completing Written Work Self-Evaluation How to Scaffold and Reteach Collaborate and Learn Concluding Thoughts on Vocabulary Instruction Ten Ways Students Can Expand Their VocabulariesReferencesIndex