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4 Elements of Vocabulary Instruction: More Than a Word List
Monday, August 31, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Presented by Dr. Tim Rasinski, Professor Emeritus of Literacy Education at Kent State University, and Author; Melissa Cheesman Smith, Educator, Teacher Mentor, Las Sendas Elementary (AZ); and Savannah Campbell, Reading Specialist and Literacy Consultant, Campbell Creates Readers
Moderated by Tara Welty, Senior Vice President and Publisher of Scholastic Professional Books, Scholastic
Sponsored by Scholastic Education
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A strong vocabulary is one of the strongest drivers of reading comprehension, academic achievement, and effective communication. In this edWebinar, Dr. Timothy Rasinski, Melissa Cheesman Smith, and Savannah Campbell share practical, research-based strategies for helping students develop rich vocabulary through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Educators learn how to make vocabulary instruction engaging, effective, and easy to integrate throughout the school day.
Viewers learn:
- Tips for fostering word consciousness and a curiosity about language
- Ready-to-use strategies for teaching individual words effectively
- Practical approaches for supporting students with morphology and context clues when reading
- Engaging ways to explore word relationships, including figurative language and the nuances of language
This edWebinar is of interest to K-8 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Tim Rasinski, Ph.D., is a Professor Emeritus of Literacy Education at Kent State University, where he directed the award-winning reading clinic Camp Read-A-Lot. A former classroom teacher and reading specialist, Dr. Rasinski is a renowned expert in literacy education. He has authored over 50 books and curriculum programs, including the best-selling The Megabook of Vocabulary, The Fluent Reader, The Megabook of Fluency, and multiple Daily Word Ladder books, and has written over 150 articles. His research, spanning reading fluency, word study, and support for struggling readers, has been widely cited, including by the National Reading Panel. Recognized as being among the top 2% of scientists worldwide in 2021, 2023, and 2026, he is also a highly sought-after speaker. Dr. Rasinski’s distinguished career includes being elected to the International Reading Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the International Literacy Association’s William S. Gray Citation of Merit in 2019 for his significant contributions to the field.
Melissa Cheesman Smith, an elementary educator for over two decades, holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. She has taught college-level courses in literacy and in child and adolescent development and psychology. She is currently a teacher mentor, working with staff members and students in Mesa, Arizona. Melissa has written over a dozen books related to literacy for elementary students, including her latest, The Megabook of Vocabulary, which she co-authored with Dr. Tim Rasinski and Savannah Campbell. Melissa regularly presents at professional development conferences on fluency, vocabulary development, and writing.
Savannah Campbell is a K–5 reading specialist, literacy consultant, and the teacher behind Campbell Creates Readers. She has spent over 15 years in education and holds two master’s degrees from the College of William & Mary. In 2022, she was named Teacher of the Year for her school and Elementary Teacher of the Year for her district. Today, she travels to districts, providing professional development to help schools improve student outcomes. She is the co-author of the recent release The Megabook of Vocabulary, and hosts the Creating Readers podcast to advocate for structured literacy so that all children can become successful readers.
About the Moderator
Tara Welty is the Senior Vice President and Publisher of Scholastic Professional Books.
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