Term
Summer 2017
Capstone
Thesis
Degree Name
MAESL
Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair
Anne Rogan
Secondary Advisor/Reader One
Margaret Farrell
Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two
Elizabeth Niesen
Abstract
This study examines the impact of small group explicit vocabulary instruction on kindergarten ELs’ receptive and expressive knowledge of selected academic vocabulary. Key influences include research by Beck, McKeown, and Silverman. The research consisted of a mixed-methods quasi-experimental approach. Data was collected through a pretest, posttest, checklists and a teacher observation journal. The main findings suggest that small group explicit vocabulary instruction is a more effective way to increase academic word meaning knowledge rather than embedded vocabulary instruction alone. The results from the study also show that modeling and prompting were often required for students to correctly respond to the question using the target word in a sentence. Additionally, students benefitted from repeated exposure to target words and from multiple opportunities to practice using target words in various contexts.
Research Methodology
Field Study
Keywords
ESL/ ELLs, Vocabulary
Recommended Citation
Verstraete, Mara, "Small Group Explicit Academic Vocabulary Instruction For Kindergarten English Language Learners" (2017). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4328.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/4328