The authors of this publication are Speech and Language Therapists, who have written the bestselling resource Language for Thinking, as well as Word Aware 1 and Word Aware 2.
Word Aware 3 is a comprehensive, practical and engaging resource that focuses on teaching vocabulary and word learning skills to children who have vocabulary learning needs. It takes a highly practical, evidence-based and curriculum-focused approach to vocabulary learning that includes photocopiable and downloadable planning, intervention and evaluation resources.
The approaches that they recommend are primarily classroom based, as the authors believe that this environment ‘naturally provides a rich context for word learning’ as opposed to intervention groups outside of the classroom. They do however also recommend out of class interventions with a curriculum focus.
The STAR approach is outlined:
- Select: Selected words need to important to the curriculum
- Teach: This highlights which words are important
- Activate: Opportunities are given to ‘bring the word to life’.
- Review: This is essential to ensure the words are frequently encountered
Examples of this process in action are provided, as well as extra strategies to support vulnerable word learners, staff training and how to plan for a Vocabulary Group.
This is a very useful and practical resource that also provides the reader with a wide range of activities, templates and assessment forms. Excellent.
Authors: A. Branagan & S. Parsons
Publisher: A Speechmark Book (Routledge)
ISBN: 9780367747558
£34.99