Bringing Words To Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction

Hundreds of thousands of teachers have used this highly practical guide to help K–12 students enlarge their vocabulary and get involved in noticing, understanding, and using new words. Grounded in research, the book explains how to select words for instruction, introduce their meanings, and create engaging learning activities that promote both word knowledge and reading comprehension. The authors are trusted experts who draw on extensive experience in diverse classrooms and schools. Sample lessons and vignettes, children's literature suggestions, end-of-chapter summaries, and "Your Turn" learning activities enhance the book's utility as a classroom resource, professional development tool, or course text.

New to This Edition

• Reflects over a decade of advances in research-based vocabulary instruction.
• Chapters on vocabulary and writing; assessment; and differentiating instruction for struggling readers and English language learners, including coverage of response to intervention (RTI).
• Expanded discussions of content-area vocabulary and multiple-meaning words.
• Many additional examples showing what robust instruction looks like in action.
• Appendix with a useful menu of instructional activities.

This book is invaluable for K–12 classroom teachers; reading specialists and coaches; special educators; teacher educators and students in literacy programs.

Table of Contents

1. Rationale for Robust Vocabulary Instruction
2. Choosing Words to Teach
3. Introducing Word Meanings
4. Bringing Vocabulary into the Earliest Grades
5. Instructional Sequences for Later Grades
6. Assessing and Maintaining New Vocabulary
7. Working with Instructional and Natural Contexts
8. Vocabulary and Writing
9. Differentiating Vocabulary Instruction
10. Energizing the Verbal Environment

Appendix. Menu of Instructional Activities

"It's hard to believe, but the second edition of Bringing Words to Life is even more comprehensive than the first. Beck, McKeown, and Kucan have outdone themselves. Containing real-life examples and easy-to-implement strategies, this book is a 'must have' for vocabulary instruction. It will help teachers greatly as they work to meet the Common Core Standards."
- Nancy Betler, Talent Development Facilitator, Charlotte–Mecklenburg Schools, North Carolina; Adjunct Professor, School of Graduate and Continuing Education, Wingate University

"Bringing Words to Life is, without doubt, one of the best and most influential books ever published on the topic of teaching and developing vocabulary. The second edition is even better than the first—it addresses recent issues such as the Common Core and RTI; provides a greater number of helpful, practical examples; addresses vocabulary and writing; takes on the challenge of providing effective vocabulary instruction for struggling readers and English learners; and offers guidance for teaching math, science, and social studies vocabulary in the intermediate grades. This book should be required reading for anyone seeking teacher or reading specialist certification."
- John Pikulski, PhD, Department of Educational Development (Emeritus), University of Delaware

"Perhaps the most distinctive feature of this book is its personal touch—reading it is like having a conversation with the authors about robust vocabulary instruction. The authors share their decision making, offer warnings about potential challenges, encourage thoughtful planning, and insist on follow-through. Teachers are amply supported in their learning by the 'Your Turn' and 'You Try It' features, whether working on their own or in a course on literacy instruction. This is a book designed by teachers for teachers."
- Joanne F. Carlisle, PhD, School of Education, University of Michigan