Vocabulary for the Common Core (K-8)

The Common Core State Standards present unique demands on students' ability to learn vocabulary and teachers' ability to teach it. Direct vocabulary instruction is fundamental to effective teaching. Our knowledge about and understanding of any topic is rooted in our mastery of terms relevant to that topic. This course will help you work toward the creation of a successful vocabulary program, guided by both academic and content-area terms taken directly from the Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) standards. Fun strategies such as games, jingles, movements, and graphic organizers will be explored in this course, and when used in the classroom, will engage students and make learning these critical words more enjoyable and effective. Learning the critical vocabulary will help your students with testing and college and career readiness, as well as equip them with confidence in reading, writing, and speaking. The projected outcome of this course is to provide classroom teachers with the knowledge, understanding, and methodologies needed to enhance vocabulary instruction and improve student achievement.