research-based book, based on successful classroom practice, the authors offer dozens of strategies, mini-lessons, units , and activities that increase students' exposure to and appreciation of sophisticated language.A sampling of the vocabulary-focused strategies and tools include:? Using daily read alouds and think alouds during shared reading to gather powerful language from literature? Organizing literature circles with one student serving as the ?word hunter”? Engaging in whole class and small group lively games such as gift of words bingo and ricochet? Using mentor texts as models for writing class books? Appointing all students to be ?word catchers” and ?word coaches” for each other? Establishing a classroom community where it is considered normal to ask about word meanings and experimenting with language? Collecting and displaying words in the ?Bank of Powerful Language”? Offering rubrics for word learning assessmentIn addition, the authors offer lively ways to enhance word consciousness by linking reading and writing through step-by-step units on poetry, memoir, stories, and research writing. For use with Grades 4-8.

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