Vocabulary Improvement Program for English Language Learners and Their Classmates

Vocabulary Improvement Program for English Language Learners and Their Classmates (VIP) is a 15-week vocabulary development curriculum designed for English language learners and native English speakers in grades 4-6. The program includes 30-45 minute whole class and small group activities four days per week, focusing on 10-12 target vocabulary words per week from reading assignments about immigration. On Mondays, English language learner students preview the weekly reading in their native language. On Tuesdays, teachers lead whole-group lessons to review the text and define target vocabulary. On Wednesdays, students work in heterogeneous language groups on cloze activities. On Thursdays, students complete word association, synonym/antonym, and semantic feature analysis activities in small groups. On Fridays, teachers lead activities covering root word analysis and multiple word meanings. The curriculum includes detailed lesson plans, quasi-scripted lesson guides, overhead transparencies, worksheets, homework assignments, and all necessary reading materials. Teachers participate in biweekly Teacher Learning Community meetings where researchers provide curriculum materials and facilitate discussions about implementation.