We are always looking for clever and creative ideas for supporting children as they work on expanding their vocabulary. We received permission from Darlene, a literacy coach from Canandigua, New York, to share with you her school-wide vocabulary initiative call "Big Dog Words." The initiative is grounded in the research by Isabell Beck, PhD and her work with 'tier two' words. (you can read more about these types of vocabulary words in her book: Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Isabel L. Beck, et. al.)

Darlene writes, "Our "Big Dog" vocabulary words were taken school wide last year as I created 2 Big Dog words lists (one for primary and one for intermediate). Students are presented the words over the announcements (1 word per week). Throughout the week any school staff member can ask the students if they know the big dog word, what it means, or if they can use it in a sentence. Students are recognized in a variety of ways for using the word from stickers or book marks to my personal favorite, the class gives the students a bark out (Aresino Hall style) and places the student's name on the class' vocbalary paw print.

This summer we even had a Big Dog Vocabulary Reading Challenge for students where they looked for their big dog words in the books they read. We had one first grade student that found 37 out of the 39 words this summer in her reading.

We do lots of other exciting things with our schoolwide Big Dog words. We have done everything from creating a virtual online dictionary where the students either define their big dog word through a picture or skit, to a Big Dog poetry contest. Our music teacher even rewrote a song last year for our 5th grade chorus with most of the big dog words in it.

We have had lots of fun expanding vocabulary here at our school and thought you might like to share a few of our ideas"

Darlene also gave us files to share with you:

Utterly delightful Pictures and Descriptions of the Big Dog Initiative.

Vocabulary Game

Vocabulary Game Guiding Questions

Explicit Teaching Vocabulary Routine

Bones and Paw Print Patterns

and The History behind the Big Dog Vocabulary Initiative

Thank you so much to Darlene for sharing their school-wide expanding vocabulary initiative.