Children's Immediate Understanding OF Vocabulary: Contexts and Dictionary Definitions

Author: Gardner, Dee¹

Source: Reading Psychology, Volume 28, Number 4, July 2007 , pp. 331-373(43)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This study investigates children's ability to utilize context cues (forward or backward), dictionary definitions (original or revised), or combinations of the two to understand unfamiliar words. Significant word gains were found for all treatments and reading skill levels. Revised definitions produced significantly greater gains than forward context cues, backward context cues, and original definitions. Combined treatments produced significantly greater gains than backward context cues. Advanced readers demonstrated significantly greater gains than average or below-average readers. Implications for reading research and instruction are forwarded and the construct of Immediate Understanding is defined and explored.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/02702710701260508

Affiliations: 1: Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA

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