What a difference five years can make in how we approach vocabulary instruction. In 2020, I produced a video, available in our TextProject resources, highlighting the need to teach networks of words rather than isolated vocabulary. At that time, I had to rely solely on my ability identify meaningful word connections.
The traditional approach—defining words, using them in sentences, but failing to connect them conceptually—remained prevalent in many instructional materials, as illustrated by one publisher’s choices for the vocabulary in The Storyteller’s Candle—six seemingly random words.
Today, in 2025, we have powerful new tools. AI can serve as an invaluable assistant in identifying networks of vocabulary—especially words that reinforce a story’s theme and content. Let me demonstrate with The Storyteller’s Candle.
I’ve included the questions that I gave to AI to show how input to AI determine output. First, I asked about the long-term usefulness of the publisher’s identified words. The analysis showed that of the 6 target words, only 2 have high value beyond this specific text.
This aligns with research showing that while students may learn isolated word meanings, retention is limited if the words are rare and students lack additional exposure. Next, I presented 12 additional words that can challenge developing readers.
AI identified 5 of these as having significant importance in future texts—notably, only one overlapped with the publisher’s list. This demonstrates how traditional methods of selecting vocabulary often miss opportunities for building lasting word knowledge.
Finally, I asked about words that would support both story comprehension and background knowledge—specifically regarding performances and cultural celebrations.
This query revealed 2 networks of connected vocabulary:
- Performance vocabulary and
- Cultural celebration vocabulary.
When we map words semantically, including theme-related terms about the storyteller’s candle and light, rich interconnections emerge—a stark contrast to the six isolated words initially targeted.
These connections exemplify what effective vocabulary instruction should achieve: helping students build networks of related concepts rather than memorizing disconnected definitions.
For educators interested in implementing this networked approach to vocabulary instruction, TextProject offers several valuable resources.
