Improving Vocabulary Development and Oral

Reading FluencyBy: Lisa Kitchens

October 2011

Vocabulary development is perhaps the most important component of reading. It is also one of the easiest components to add to EVERY subject. Whether it is science, social studies or even music or gym class, vocabulary surrounds us. We cannot complete the literacy circle without properly developed vocabulary. Without vocabulary, fluency cannot exist. A few semesters back I witnessed my first Readers Theater. I was hooked! The kids enjoyed this activity so much that I knew I would incorporate this type of activity in my future literacy lessons. I believe it is perhaps one of the best ways to improve fluency in k-3 readers. For this lesson, I decided I needed more information on the how’s and why’s of Readers Theater. I’m sharing with you what I have learned

Vocabulary Development

Types of Vocabulary

All four types of vocabularies are interrelated, therefore we need to learn them in conjunction with one another to adequately develop our vocabulary.

Expressive Vocabulary – Vocabulary used when we read and speak.

Receptive Vocabulary – Vocabulary we understand when we listen and read.

Meaning or Oral Vocabulary – Vocabulary we listen and speak with.

Literate Vocabulary – Vocaubluray we read and write with.

Facts:

• Young children communicate through “listening and speaking.” In order to read and write, they need high frequency vocabulary and decoding skills.

• High Frequency Vocabulary – Words that are used over and over in communication

• Words children needs to learn each year – 3000

• Number of words preschool aged children from parents of professionals know going into school: 1100

• Number of words preschool aged children from welfare families know going into school: 400

This is why our immediate intervention is so critical!

Ways to include vocabulary development in Lessons:

• Provide direct instruction in the meanings ofclusters of words and individual words.• Systematically teach students the meaning of prefixes, suffixes, and root words.• Link spelling instruction to reading andvocabulary instruction.• Teach the effective, efficient, realistic use of dictionaries, thesauruses, and other reference works.• Teach, model, and encourage the application of a word-learning strategy.• Use instructional read-aloud events

Oral Fluency

What does a Reader’s Theater Do?

Create excitement about reading Develops fluency by encouraging

expressiveness, intonation and inflection through practice with their peers

Can develop vocabulary Allows students to read for a variety of

audiences Supports student comprehension and

allows them to draw upon their existing knowledge

Allows students to read, think, and speak

Allows for greater creativity

A Readers Theater can be started from any story or writing that is transformed into a script, with the voices being the students. They can be impromptu activities or well planned out shows. Either way the benefits will be grand!

Reader’s Theaters can take the quietest, most reserved student and get him/her involved. It allows everyone to let loose and be creative!

Resources for Creating a Readers Theater

For a list of Readers Theater Scripts:http://www.teachingheart.net/readerstheater.htm

http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reading/index.shtml#theater

For a list of Tips:http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/Tips.html

For a crash course guide in your first theater:http://www.literacyconnections.com/rasinski-readers-theater.php

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/readerstheater.htm

Readers Theaters’ Can Be:

For any size class

With or without props

Fun for everyone

Works Cited: http://

www.eduplace.com/state/author/pik_temp.pdfThis is an AMAZING document. I HIGHLY recommend that everyone download or read this. I know it’s a bit long, but trust me it is worth ALL of your time. (Most of my vocab slides came from this document.)

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/readers-theatre-172.html

If you’re thinking of doing a reader’s theatre this site is very helpful