National Science Teachers Association Recommended Expository Books' Vocabulary Demands: 2001–2002 Compared With 2011–2012

• In Event: Roundtable Session 55
  In Roundtable Session: Research on the Nature of Texts for Literacy Development

Abstract

A close examination of the expository books that the National Science Teachers Association recommended for grades K-2 in 2001 and 2002 and in 2011 and 2012 reveals that vocabulary demands have greatly increased from those a decade ago, both in the sheer number of words and in the number of words that do not appear on the Dale-Chall list of familiar words. Though this may be a welcome opportunity for many children to develop academic vocabulary early in their school careers, it puts additional pressure on teachers to focus on helping children who begin school with limited vocabularies so that they aren’t further disadvantaged.

Authors

• Sharon B. Kletzien, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

• Mariam Jean Dreher, University of Maryland