A component tryout of first-grade spelling was conducted using students who received concurrent reading instruction based on Southwest Regional Laboratory (SWRL) materials. Pretest and posttest measures obtained from four comparable first-grade classes were used as baseline data against which to judge program effectiveness. This report describes…

Presents guidelines for teaching spelling, focusing on the issue of whether spelling instruction should be formal or informal, the use of word lists, efficient instructional procedures, effective methods for studying words, the need for systematic improvement of retention, and integration of spelling and writing. (RAE)

Describes how one teacher helped students in her third grade class, who had below average spelling and reading skills, improve their reading achievement by using a structured, graded, multifaceted approach to spelling instruction. (ARH)

Concludes that semantic maps do not work alone, but must be built in class during discussion of vocabulary. Shows that discussion alone works well for most students. (FL)

Describes a teaching strategy that can develop the student's cognitive ability for learning the labels for new thoughts, ideas, and concepts and a teaching strategy that promotes the learning more through modeling the teacher's interest in words. (HOD)

Studies context as a significant aid to the learning and retention of words. (RB)

Offers examples of texts and assignments that reinforce an appreciation for the importance of context in the study of vocabulary. (RL)

Presents a method for teaching vocabulary in the language class that is based on etymology and association. Word lists and sample materials for French are appended. (AM)

Describes how one elementary educator teaches word study strategies that enlarge students' understanding of phonics and vocabulary. A primary level activity has students create a thematic word wall. An intermediate level activity has students conduct a new word hunt. A reproducible student page helps students sort words by sound. (SM)

Discusses the marginalization of spelling instruction. Presents several classroom implications supported by research on the development of orthographic knowledge as reflected in children's spelling errors. Addresses the issues related to placement, assessment, word study, and writing. (RS)

Arguing that most basal reading programs lack appropriate instructional strategies for teaching irregular words, this paper summarizes a teaching strategy for introducing new irregular words to children and discusses learning activities to ensure students will have an instant recognition of these words. The paper suggests presenting three to six…

For years, reading teachers in the schools have emphasized word identification skills and believed that reading is comprised of a set of subskills that a child must master before he or she can learn to read. To teach a child to read, however, instruction must focus on comprehension. Therefore, word attack skills should be taught in conjunction…

Content area teachers should be aware of the five levels of vocabulary with which their students must cope. The five levels include standard words at the least complex level, transitional terms that have different meanings in the content area than in standard usage, technical terms specific to the subject area, changeable terms (similar to…