Teaching vocabulary and reading strategies to improve student achievement in science

This capstone examined the current best practices in teaching vocabulary, reading strategies, and activation of prior knowledge in the content area. Based on best practices, curriculum was developed for a science unit that helps students to learn and retain new vocabulary. Lessons were designed to help create experiences that connect students to new concepts. I learned during this capstone that the intentional teaching of vocabulary and connect concepts to prior knowledge is essential to improve student achievement. I also learned that reading strategies are most effective when used after vocabulary instruction has taken place and students have had chance to explore the concept they are about to read about