ERIC Number: ED521496
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 183
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1240-8444-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Word on Vocabulary Instruction: Understanding the Kindergarten Teacher's Perspective
Hall, Cherise E. I.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University
This dissertation investigates the importance of vocabulary development in kindergarten. The purpose of this qualitative case study design was to explore and describe how kindergarten teachers in 1 Midwestern U.S. suburban school district perceive and value the task of teaching vocabulary. The results were based on data collected from 2 focus group interviews and 8 follow-up 1-on-1 interviews from kindergarten teachers in the district. The teachers specified that vocabulary instruction does definitely exist in their classrooms. One significant finding was the acknowledgment by the coresearchers that socioeconomic status is not a consideration for children's abilities to increase vocabulary capacity. There is no distinction in children's learning curve related to vocabulary between children who are poor or children who are wealthy. These findings provide new information regarding learning and socioeconomic status. A child's ability for vocabulary knowledge and learning may not be based on the socioeconomic status of the family. This study also identified the teachers as their own resource for sources and programs to provide vocabulary instruction for their students instead of searching for teachers or curriculum specialists to assist them with strategies. The classroom kindergarten teacher has an innate sense and ability to create authentic vocabulary-rich environments that are indicative to the children they serve to promote vocabulary enhancement. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Vocabulary, Interviews, Specialists, Kindergarten, Preschool Teachers, Vocabulary Development, Suburban Schools, Socioeconomic Status, Focus Groups, Task Analysis, Learning, Classroom Environment, Teaching Methods, Identification, Language Arts
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Kindergarten
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A