27. Effective Vocabulary Instruction: Throw Away the Dictionary | 2022 Literacy Symposium

Access all of the sessions at https://pattanliteracysymposium22.sched.com/ Virtually all experts in the field of teaching vocabulary agree that using the dictionary to teach word meanings is ineffective. So, what does work? We demonstrate a way to teach vocabulary in which students hear the word, say the word, see the word, and use the word, all without a dictionary. Through active participation, participants learn how to (1) have students create their own meaningful definitions, (2) get the word and meaning into long-term memory, and (3) spell the word (in grades where spelling the word is appropriate). The instructional techniques are explicit and multi-sensory, and they connect speech, print, and meaning.