Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary, Grades 4-12

by Janet Allen

We've learned a lot in recent years about the important role vocabulary plays in making meaning, yet many teachers still struggle with vocabulary instruction that goes beyond weekly word lists. Effective vocabulary instruction is particularly vital in the content areas, where the specialized language used by “insiders” often creates a barrier to understanding for those new to the subjects. In Inside Words, Janet Allen merges recent research and key content-area teaching strategies to show teachers how to help students understand the academic vocabulary found in textbooks, tests, articles, and other informational texts.

Each instructional tool is listed alphabetically along with its purpose: building background knowledge; teaching words that are critical to comprehension; providing support during reading and writing; developing a conceptual framework; and assessing students' understanding of words and concepts.

Inside Words builds on Janet's previous books Words, Words, Words and Tools for Teaching Content Literacy, to provide a much-needed middle and secondary school resource for teaching vocabulary, not only in the language arts, but in all of the content areas.

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Kim Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some very good ideas for teaching vocabulary, which is a huge weakness of mine. Not all of the ideas were things I could use, but I don't expect that when reading a book like this. The biggest reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was that I wanted the templates in a format I could use. She included an appendix that had copies of the templates, and a CD with copies of the templates. However, with the CD, all of the templates were PDFs, so they are no more useful than the hard copies in the appendix. I needed something I could edit in order for it to be really useful.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource

[Miguel Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

really appreciate all the tools and worksheets listed throughout this book for vocabulary. 4 stars to that alone.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers helpful pre, during, and after reading strategies that help students think critically about what they are reading and take ownership of their learning through writing to learn strategies. The strategies are arranged in alphabetical order, making it easy to jump around and explore what really interests you. The appendix is filled with templates in both English and Spanish for every strategy. I appreciated the author's consistent pattern for each chapter of explaining the what, how, when, and why of each strategy. This gives instructional clarity and purpose to teachers, who (and myself included) tend to pick activities and strategies at random in the rush to put together a lesson for whomever. I highly recommend this book.

[Woodrós · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful compendium of activities to teach vocabulary. I appreciate that it includes a CD with printable handouts and Spanish-language versions of the hand outs.

The activities are interesting and I will definitely use them, but I was underwhelmed by the book even though it is practical and useful.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, practical, book for learning new ways to introduce academic vocabulary to your students.

[Phil Huff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great companion to Words Words Words, this is a book of specific strategies to engage both teacher and students in active vocabulary retention.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great vocabulary suggestions>

[Kellie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of reading and writing strategies. Includes templates for graphic organizers.

[Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great strategies for teaching vocabulary in multiple content areas. Strategies are easy to adapt for your classroom.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A resource including a variety of activities to aid students in connecting with vocabulary terms. The book comes with master copies in both English and Spanish.

[Heather Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of tools for teaching vocabulary, mostly applicable to middle and high school but some can be used in upper elementary as well.