“Enriched vocabulary is evident and is drawn directly from challenging writings and/or wisdom literature. Sources should include classic literature, myths, fables, poetry, proverbs, quotes, and other genres.”

This practice is important for the following reasons:

1. Challenging vocabulary activities increase the love of language.
2. New vocabulary enhances dialogue and enables students to communicate more effectively.
3. Vocabulary from challenging literature is rich and fresh, making it exciting for students.
4. Enriched vocabulary and interesting literature provide novelty for the brain.
5. Great literature introduces readers to many different genres (poetry, fiction, autobiographies, folk tales, plays, essays, etc.)
6. Character-building literature enriches students’ vocabulary and expands their horizons.
7. Literature-rich content stimulates imagination and helps students discover their expanding world, and provides new ways to look at life’s changes.
8. Analysis of wisdom literature involves thinking and feeling and allows students to make connections between themselves and the characters in the story.
9. Making connections is vitally important to learning. The use of quality written works can provide anticipatory sets that help students connect with real life situations.
10. Diverse literature allows students to experience cultural literacy.
11. Diverse literature introduces students to great authors.
12. Immersion in literature can lead to a life-long love of reading and learning, which increases future opportunities.
13. Enriched vocabulary can build self-esteem in students, and high self-esteem increases academic potential.

     

The following “How To’s” for implementation will help you successfully integrate this practice:

1. Select meaningful literature, character-building poetry, myths, and fables from various cultures as content for reading lessons.
2. Use excerpts from wisdom literature to set the “stage” for new topics.
3. Introduce authors and discuss how their writings relate to real life.
4. Develop a classroom library that students can use.
5. Allow students to create their own form of book reports.

    

The successful implementation of this practice will “look like” and “sound like” the following:

1. Teachers and students use enriched vocabulary drawn directly from challenging writings and/or wisdom literature.
2. Teachers use visual displays and word walls that include enriched vocabulary drawn directly from challenging writings and/or wisdom literature.