CONT 938 Culminating Task

category Vocabulary Knowledge

What Does “Semantics” Mean? Does Vocabulary Need to be Explicitly Taught?

Semantics is the study of meaning in language. This refers to how words, phrases, sentences, and texts convey meaning, including the relationships between words and how they combine to make sense. Understanding semantics helps teachers explain how language works and… Continue Reading →

More on Tier 2 Words/Academic Vocabulary – Practical Strategies

Please see my video that reviews what academic vocabulary is, why it’s important, and 3 practical strategies for teaching it.

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Teaching Vocabulary

Here are 3 less-evident things to keep in mind when teaching vocabulary in the classroom: #1 Student Prior Knowledge This CrashCourse video on semantics mentions that any definition starts to break down with exceptions. This is a good reminder that,… Continue Reading →

Sample Vocabulary Lesson – Grade 4/5

Please find attached a sample lesson plan for how a series of Tier 2 words from a mentor text can be taught in the intermediate classroom.

© 2025 a new teacher’s guide to literacy in the primary grades — Powered by WordPress

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑