I have two children who need extra support for their reading assignments. They need help with explanation of vocabulary before a story is introduced. For instance if we were going to read, Johnny Tremain, I would need to say, "In this book you will find these new words that you have never been introduced to before. They are 'blank, blank, and blank', and they mean 'such and such'.

My kids can do lit analysis all day long.....We have talked and talked and talked about that and even use Teaching the Classics along with TOG. But they really struggle with "reading vocabulary". My oldest and youngest pick up their vocabulary on their own, through their reading, but my middle two do not. It must be taught to them.

How should I teach reading vocabulary? How do many of you teach reading vocabulary? Any ideas on how to address this?

Thanks,

Brenda from Tenn
(Near Memphis)

Brenda,
I understand your pain! I have one son exactly like that! One tip I use I actually incorporate in my boy's lit club...the boys keep a journal and EVERYTIME they come to a word they do not know, they write it down and look up the definition, then write it in their vocabulary journal. We then have vocab questions at our meeting to reinforce learning:-)
I have found looking it up at the moment (though it does slow the reading process down) helps them greatly with vocbulary and comprehension.
Best Wishes,
Tonya

OOO, good idea, Tonya!

Brenda