Building Vocabulary

This weeks readings expanded the depth of my understanding in regards to the complexities and levels of vocabulary.  I have always known there were different types of vocabulary such as conversational and academic vocabulary and more recently content vocabulary, but to see it broke down even further enabled me to visualize the many levels of vocabulary we use everyday. The article by Brommley further explains the importance of vocabulary and language and how we are able to expand our daily vocabulary through connections with what we know and how vocabulary helps with comprehension, fluency and academic achievement.  Knowing what and how to teach vocabulary to our students is important. The article by Baumann and Graves discussed several techniques in which teachers can use to help students learn new vocabulary.  Being a pre-service math teacher, I appreciated the inclusion of symbols in the classification scheme, as we read symbols every day to determine what to do next.  In teaching vocabulary, I found Marzano and Pickering's method the most beneficial.  The technique was illustrated in a very methodical manner; selecting vocabulary based on instruction and arranging the vocab in a respective way.  I am quickly beginning to realize the importance of reading in all content areas..and even more so, helping students develop a rich, colorful vocabulary filled with conversational, literary, and academic language.