"Exciting and engaging vocabulary instruction can set students on the path to a lifelong fascination with words. This book provides a research-based framework and practical strategies for vocabulary development with children from the earliest grades through high school. The authors emphasize instruction that offers rich information about words and their uses and enhances students' language comprehension and production. Teachers are guided in selecting words for instruction; developing student-friendly explanations of new words; creating meaningful learning activities; and getting students involved in thinking about, using, and noticing new words both within and outside the classroom. Many concrete examples, sample classroom dialogues, and exercises for teachers bring the material to life. Helpful appendices include suggestions for trade books that help children enlarge their vocabulary and/or have fun with different aspects of words"-- Provided by publisher.

Rationale for robust vocabulary instruction -- Choosing words to teach -- Introducing word meanings -- Bringing vocabulary into the earliest grades -- Instructional sequences for later grades -- Assessing and maintaining new vocabulary -- Working with instructional and natural contexts -- Vocabulary and writing -- Differentiating vocabulary instruction -- Energizing the verbal environment -- Menu of instructional activities.