Abstract
Many students today do not possess enough vocabulary knowledge for a variety of reasons. They are unable to read and comprehend the text that they are exposed to. The purpose of this work is to determine the best strategies and methods for teaching vocabulary. The authors are focusing on 4th through 8th grade students that lack many of these vocabulary building strategies. The authors will compile a handbook of these useful strategies for educators to utilize during classroom instruction. The authors extensively researched literature in the field of vocabulary. Research included a focus on the nature of vocabulary acquisition, the vocabulary word gap, theory behind effective vocabulary strategies, and the effect of vocabulary instruction. The authors analyzed many seminal articles and theories related to vocabulary knowledge and instruction. Due to a discrepancy in vocabulary word knowledge among children, the authors have concluded that there is a current need for direct vocabulary instruction. In order to bridge this word gap, teachers need the resources in order to effectively implement a vocabulary program in their classroom. The most effective vocabulary strategies are meaningful, engaging, and offer students frequent and on-going exposure to vocabulary words.