Isabel L. Beck, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. She has conducted extensive research and published widely on decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension. Dr. Beck is a recipient of the Oscar S. Causey Award from the Literacy Research Association, the William S. Gray Citation of Merit from the International Literacy Association, and the Contributing Researcher Award from the American Federation of Teachers. She was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame and is an elected member of the National Academy of Education. Her books include Bringing Words to Life, Second Edition; Creating Robust Vocabulary; Illuminating Comprehension and Close Reading; Making Sense of Phonics, Third Edition; and Robust Comprehension Instruction with Questioning the Author.

Margaret G. McKeown, PhD, is Clinical Professor of Education in the School of Education and Senior Scientist at the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh.

Linda Kucan, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Instruction and Learning at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

1. Rationale for Robust Vocabulary Instruction
2. Choosing Words to Teach
3. Introducing Word Meanings
4. Bringing Vocabulary into the Earliest Grades
5. Instructional Sequences for Later Grades
6. Assessing and Maintaining New Vocabulary
7. Working with Instructional and Natural Contexts
8. Vocabulary and Writing
9. Differentiating Vocabulary Instruction
10. Energizing the Verbal Environment
Appendix. Menu of Instructional Activities
Study Guide