The Key Vocabulary Routine: Content Vocabulary Instruction

The Key Vocabulary Routine is a content vocabulary program for grades 4 through 12 that can be used in all classrooms. The program emphasizes the integration of vocabulary instruction in any content area (e.g., science, social studies, English language arts, math). Research has found that that there is no one best method for vocabulary instruction, and that vocabulary should be taught both directly and indirectly. It has also found that the least effective instructional practice is the memorization of word definitions. The Key Vocabulary Routine emphasizes growth of vocabulary through wide reading, multiple exposures to words and linking new words to background knowledge. The teacher training includes hands-on practice for the Providing direct, systematic instruction of specific content vocabulary and how to select the most appropriate new words from content reading material Teaching a word in relation to other words using activities such as categorizing, semantic feature analysis, and semantic mapping Analyzing word structure and teaching word parts, including the most common roots, suffixes and prefixes Teaching strategies for using context to determine word meaning Teaching strategies for effective use of a dictionary and creating student generated definitions