Why Vocabulary Instruction is Important
Vocabulary knowledge is a key element in comprehending text. Students need ongoing instruction and support in developing their vocabulary because it affects their ability to comprehend texts and communicate their ideas clearly. John Hattie (2018) identified vocabulary instruction as having an above-average effect size, indicating that it is a highly effective teaching focus. Vocabulary instruction also impacts writing and has been shown to increase academic achievement.
Recently, I have been exploring effective vocabulary instructional practices and have found several big ideas that are easy to implement and may engage more students in successful word learning. Below are three instructional practices for approaching vocabulary instruction that will support students in expanding their word knowledge.
1. Increase Word Knowledge Through Learning About Concepts
By exploring vocabulary related to big ideas or concepts, you can support your students in understanding and learning new words (McKeown, 2019). Engage students by having them group related words. This means selecting a concept, brainstorming words related to the concept and then making a list on a chart, and adding words related to it. For example, if the concept is space, you and your students may identify: planets, technology, satellites, gravity, orbit, and universe.
You might also have your students identify examples and non-examples of a concept and then discuss how word meanings shift across contexts. Helping students to be flexible in their understanding of word meanings as they read across more complex texts and in different contexts can be fun! Think about how context impacts the meaning of different words like: bark, match, novel, and cold. When taught in this way vocabulary instruction becomes part of knowledge building, not memorization. Students develop a deep understanding of the concept and its related vocabulary. This type of vocabulary learning is purposeful and engaging.
2. Provide Repeated, Meaningful Experiences with Vocabulary Across Multiple Texts and a Wide Variety of Contexts
Intentionally select high-utility, content-focused words to create your vocabulary study with students. Students encounter these words throughout a variety of texts during the unit of study. They also experience engaging with these words in multiple formats and genres, across days and lessons, and when reading, discussing, and writing.
For example, you may be working in a study on space and read multiple texts of different genres and topics independently during interactive read alouds and small group instruction from a text set curated for this course of study. These experiences are embedded in their daily work, not as a single isolated experience. These repeated experiences with using new vocabulary, provide your students with opportunities to develop strong understandings of the word and flexible meanings which then support transfer to new reading and writing experiences.
3. Support Students in Using New Vocabulary Through Speaking and Writing
To help students maintain and deepen their understanding of their new vocabulary, support them in using it in discussions and their writing. You can have your students practice using targeted vocabulary words during book discussions, use sentence stems with the new vocabulary in writing, and support them in revising their writing with a focus on word choice. As students learn more words, their choice of words becomes more nuanced. This helps them become more effective at communicating their intended message in both their oral and written communication.
Conclusion
Effective vocabulary instruction includes linking concepts to words, providing multiple opportunities to encounter new vocabulary, and supporting students in using their new vocabulary in classroom discussions and their writing (McKeown, 2019). Vocabulary learning that is engaging, connected to ideas, and actively used can motivate students to continue building their word knowledge.
Interested in learning more about effective vocabulary instruction? Join us for our Summer Literacy Institute on July 13-16, 2026 to learn more ways to grow students’ vocabularies – and make word learning fun!
References
Fisher, D. (2025, November 18). Beyond definitions: Learning words inside and out [Webinar]. San Diego State University.
McKeown, M. G. (2019). Effective vocabulary instruction fosters knowing words, using words, and understanding how words work. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 50, 466–476.
Mesmer, H. A. E., & Hilden, K. M. (2022). There’s research for that: Your K–5 literacy instruction questions answered. Heinemann.
Visible Learning+. (2018, March 28). Hattie ranking: 252 influences and effect sizes related to student achievement. https://www.visiblelearningplus.com/content/250-influences-student-achievement
