This podcast was a great reminder of the importance of expanding a child's vocabulary. It's important to begin at a young age. "Word knowledge is key for reading comprehension. Kindergarten word knowledge predicts second grade comprehension and first grade vocabulary predicts 11th grade comprehension." I found this information very eye opening. Our first grade team is piloting UFLI, a phonic program. During the lessons we are exposing students to a variety of words. The students are constantly asking me for the meaning of the words during our blending activities. They are not only seeing them with magnets, they are blending them together, many times asking for meanings and then using it a sentence. The students are very engaged during these lessons.
