Development of an Academic Word Vocabulary Intervention to Enhance Word Knowledge and Comprehension for Middle School Students

• In Event: Vocabulary Development

Abstract

This presentation will describe the design of a vocabulary intervention for middle school students and results of a pilot test of its implementation. The vocabulary intervention, Robust Academic Vocabulary Encounters (RAVE), is designed around words from the Academic Word List (AWL). A central feature of the intervention is systematic and deliberate design and use of authentic contexts drawn from diverse print and internet-based resources. Other key features of the intervention are attention to morphology and opportunities for active processing. The pilot study included instruction on 27 words for 18 sixth-grade students. Results included significant gain in word knowledge for all students and enhanced comprehension of a passage containing taught words versus one with comparable untaught words.

Authors

• Margaret G. McKeown, University of Pittsburgh

• Amy C. Crosson, University of Pittsburgh

• Isabel L. Beck, University of Pittsburgh

• Cheryl Sandora, University of Pittsburgh

• Nancy Artz, University of Pittsburgh