[senco-forum] teaching vocabulary

Dear all

Having taught 'reading' using synthetic phonics my pupils can read with
increasing accuracy, speed and intonation.  Staff comment on how they read
aloud in class with increasing confidence.  I hear them reading aloud able
to decode unfamiliar words using context and phonics - but they don't
understand what they've read!

Given a comprehension reading test they can't select the right word because
they don't appear to have the vocabulary.  I tested a group of delightful
girls (asian bi-lingual) this afternoon (NFER Group form D).  Highest score
22 out of 45 (RA around 9 years from memory) despite 6 months intensive
help.  Many of them scored lower then nine months ago (form A).

Suggestions as to how to raise vocabulary and engage in the text trather
than decoding.  Inferencing is poor.

Richard