Tanya S. Wright, an Associate Professor of Language and Literacy at Michigan State University and former kindergarten teacher, shares valuable insights on optimizing vocabulary development in young learners. She emphasizes the critical connection between vocabulary and early literacy, offering practical strategies for educators. Wright discusses the importance of integrating vocabulary instruction across all subjects and fostering inclusive classrooms. Her anecdotes highlight the need for engaging young students through purposeful and interactive learning experiences.
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insights INSIGHT
Vocabulary Underpins All Classroom Learning
Vocabulary knowledge is essential for reading, writing, speaking, listening, and learning across subjects.
Tanya S. Wright says decoding alone is insufficient because texts won't make sense without word meanings.
insights INSIGHT
Word Knowledge Is Multi-Dimensional
Knowing a word involves pronunciation, spelling, synonyms, categories, multiple meanings, and usage across contexts.
Tanya S. Wright emphasizes word knowledge grows over time from many information sources.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Plan For Multiple Rich Exposures
Expose children repeatedly and meaningfully to a word; expect learning to happen bit by bit.
Use multiple contexts and revisit words over time to deepen understanding.
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As a writer of several books for teachers and parents, former kindergarten teacher, and current associate professor of language and literacy in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University, Tanya S. Wright, Ph.D., has maintained focus on a singular question: How can we most effectively work with students in the early education setting? In answering that question, Wright has researched and written on two interesting areas: vocabulary development, and best practices for literacy development in young children. Listeners will come away from this conversation with some great tips and strategies for developing vocabulary, working effectively with younger students, and integrating writing and vocabulary.
"We need kids to be able to sound out the words, but we also need them to know what they mean. Otherwise, the text won't make sense. So we really need to be working on both of these at the same time." —Tanya S. Wright
"Really value what kids bring to the classroom, even if it's not perfect yet, or if it's not exactly what adults would say." —Tanya S. Wright
"It's really important that we're thinking about purposeful, planned, and intentional vocabulary supports to make sure that everybody is included in the learning and can participate in the classroom." —Tanya S. Wright
"Realistically, kids love to learn big words. They make use of them. They don't really differentiate it. So that's an adult imposition, right? Which ones are the big ones or which ones are the hard ones? If we use them with kids, they will use them too. And enjoy it." —Tanya S. Wright
Episode content timestamps*: 2:00: Introduction: Who is Tanya Wright? 4:00: Journey to studying vocabulary: What is the importance? 6:00: What does it mean to know a word? 11:00: How do knowledge and vocabulary connect and why can't they be divorced? 17:00: Tips for being planned and purposeful with vocabulary instruction 22:00: Integrating vocabulary across content areas 27:00: What would you say to someone who says a word is "too hard" for a kid? 33:00: How has your thinking changed about the approach to vocabulary from when you started your research? 37:00: Final advice for educators
*Timestamps are approximate, rounded to the nearest minute.
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