Piloted in spring of 2013, the First Grade Vocabulary Enhancement Program completed its second year in 2015-16 serving over 400 students in the district. The program curriculum was created in cooperation between OCPS District staff, Foundation staff, and an educational consultant.
The goal is to build vocabulary and background knowledge with at risk first graders. Additionally, volunteers help students develop a curiosity about words and language while giving them the tools they need to be better readers. It utilizes fiction and non-fiction literature along with journals and art supplies to make learning fun!
Program materials and volunteer training is provided by The Foundation. This program is absolutely free to all participating OCPS district schools.
Research shows there is a great disparity of vocabulary acquisition based mainly on economic circumstances. Children enter school with "meaningful differences" in vocabulary knowledge. Race, ethnicity, gender and birth order do not seem to be an indicator of vocabulary knowledge but what does seem to matter is relative economic advantage.[1]
[1]Meaningful differences in the everyday experience of young American children. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
Improving Vocabulary - Read2Succeed program steps (used at each session):
Step 1: Connect with the student
Step 2: Introduce or review the rules of the program.*
Step 3: Introduce or reintroduce the book you are currently working on with the student.
Step 4: Introduce vocabulary words that student will listen for and highlight in the book.
Step 5: Read the book aloud until the recommended stopping point.
Student will recognize selected vocabulary words and highlight them in the book.
Step 6: Review vocabulary words and paste the journal sheet into student’s word journal on left page. Have the student select and highlight one vocabulary word on the journal sheet.
Step 7: Have the student create a sentence using their selected vocabulary word and illustrate. Volunteer or student will write the sentence in the student’s journal in the lines on the right page. Student will illustrate the chosen vocabulary word in blank space.
Step 8: Review previous vocabulary words and praise student’s effort. Utilize vocabulary cards or student journal for review. An extra book ring is provided for vocabulary words that the student has mastered.
*What is vocabulary?
Vocabulary is the words of a language or the set of words that a person or group knows or uses.
Why is vocabulary important to me?
- The more words you know, the better you can understand what you are hearing and reading.
- Having a bigger vocabulary means you can read more of what is interesting to you.
- Knowing more words helps you to communicate better through speaking, listening and writing.
Weekly Program Calendar
| Week | Book | Special Instructions |
| Week 1 | Koalas | pre-test and send book home |
| Week 2 | Biscuit | send book homes |
| Week 3 | Just A Mess | send book home |
| Week 4 | Clifford at the Circus | |
| Week 5 | Clifford at the Circus | send book home |
| Week 6 | The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash | |
| Week 7 | The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash | send book home |
| Week 8 | Henry & Mudge in the Green Time | |
| Week 9 | Henry & Mudge in the Green Time | |
| Week 10 | Henry & Mudge in the Green Time | send book home |
| Week 11 | Pierre the Penguin | send email request for next set of books |
| Week 12 | Pierre the Penguin | post-test and send book home |
| START NEW SET OF BOOKS | ||
| Week 1 | The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree | pre-test |
| Week 2 | The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree | send book home |
| Week 3 | The Blind Men and the Elephant | |
| Week 4 | The Blind Men and the Elephant | send book home |
| Week 5 | The Grouchy Ladybug | |
| Week 6 | The Grouchy Ladybug | send book home |
| Week 7 | Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse | |
| Week 8 | Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse | send book home |
| Week 9 | Chrysanthemum | start to prepare student for program ending |
| Week 10 | Chrysanthemum | send book home |
| Week 11 | Big Al | |
| Week 12 | Big Al | post-test and send books and materials home in tote bag |
Program Kit
It includes seven books with corresponding materials. There is an option for volunteer
s and students to continue the program with a second set of six books.
Note: books are given to the students upon completion to supplement their home library. Remaining supplies will be given to the students at the end of the program.
Program Evaluation
The first and last sessions of the program include a pre/posttest. This assessment is administered by the volunteer to provide each students' measurment on vocabulary acquisition during the course of the program.
Contact Us:
Elizabeth Conrad, Read2Succeed Program Administrator
Office: 407-317-3261
Direct: 407-317-3200, ext. 200-2835
