Teaching Vocabulary Ideas: Building Vocabulary Through Projects
Reading Tools
The gap is real... You need these teaching vocabulary ideas
Let’s face it: students who struggle with reading often have vocabularies that lag far behind their peers.
Traditional approaches—like endless word lists or teaching words in isolation—have their place and can help, but they’re insufficient on their own. These methods can introduce new words, but they don’t provide the repeated, meaningful exposure students need to truly internalize vocabulary. And here’s the kicker: students need to grow 2,000–3,000 words per year to close the gap. That kind of growth requires more than memorization—it demands immersion. Direct instruction matters, but it won’t be enough.
More meaning, less memorization
Research shows that vocabulary grows fastest when it’s tied to deep, meaningful learning. Kids exposed to Tier 2 words (like analyze or synthesize) while studying a subject in depth, as they do in project-based learning (PBL), grow this vocabulary up to four times faster than through isolated disconnected texts. Add Tier 3 words (subject-specific terms like photosynthesis or erosion), and you’re giving kids the tools to engage deeply with academic content.
PBL doesn’t just teach words; it immerses students in them. PBL is a teaching vocabulary idea like no other. For example, a project on designing a sustainable park incorporates words like ecosystem, biodiversity, and sustainable repeatedly—in discussions, resources, and student reflections. This repeated, contextual exposure is what makes vocabulary stick.
Teaching vocabulary ideas in action: A PBL playbook
Teach words in context: Embed new vocabulary into your projects naturally. For instance, during a history project on revolutions, you can use terms like reform, strategy, or conflict in your instructions and discussions. Repeated exposure in context deepens understanding. Read more vocabulary strategies here.
- Create vocabulary word walls: Use word walls to make learning visible. Focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 words related to your projects, like precipitation or photosynthesis. Let students add definitions, visuals, and real-world examples, turning the wall into a dynamic resource. Try out our word wall template and find new ways to tie into projects. Download below and give it a go!
- Dive into morphology with polysemous words: Break down words into prefixes, suffixes, and roots to reveal deeper meanings. Explore polysemous words (those with multiple meanings), like current (water, time, or electricity), to build connections across subjects and broaden understanding.
Building a 2,000–3,000-word vocabulary annually can’t happen through isolated instruction alone. PBL makes it possible by embedding words into meaningful learning experiences. Keep the word lists, but go deeper. Build the projects. Teach the words. Your students will thank you—with richer vocabularies and a passion for learning that sticks. Take a look at the embedded literacy and vocabulary lessons in each K-2 Rock by Rock project.
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