Knowledge and vocabulary: Two sides of the same coin, with Gina Cervetti
In this episode, Susan Lambert talks to Gina Cervetti, Ph.D., about literacy development, knowledge building, vocabulary expansion鈥攁nd the deep connections among all three. Gina explains why she sees knowledge and vocabulary as two sides of the same coin. She also attempts to expand the listener’s understanding of what knowledge really is, it鈥檚 not just subject-area knowledge; It鈥檚 also cultural knowledge. In this process, she introduces the idea of conceptual coherence and the benefits of this approach to knowledge building, as well as avenues for implementing it in the classroom. Lastly, Gina offers strategies for how teachers can effectively build students鈥 vocabulary without relying on a vocabulary list, the usefulness of which has not been shown by the research.