Knowledge demands and an understanding of vocabulary, are two features of texts that have a big influence on comprehension. Students who possess an abundance of knowledge and grow their vocabularies are going to understand text more accurately and deeply. On the other hand, a lack of knowledge about the world and the words used to describe it will make comprehension challenging at best.   In this episode, David and Meredith Liben discuss ways to build vocabulary and knowledge in your classroom to improve reading comprehension. They discuss the difference between topics (e.g. immigration, the solar system, sea mammals) and themes (e.g. friendship, loyalty, survival), showing how reading a series of texts on a topic yields greater Tier Two vocabulary growth. Three incredible teachers also share creative and purposeful ways they grow knowledge and vocabulary in their classrooms.Eighth grade ELA English teacher Erin Hanrahan focuses her reading units on world issues, which helps her students build vocabulary and knowledge (and empathy) about important topics, like the justice system.Sean Morrisey, fifth grade teacher, says because teachers are inevitably “time poor,” they have to find efficient ways to bring vocabulary instruction into other disciplines. He focuses as much on vocabulary development with his fifth grade students in social studies and science as he does in ELA.By going page by page, breaking down complex text, Staci McDougall gives her third grade students different entry points to access new knowledge. Her students are then eager to share their new knowledge through multi-media public service announcement projects. Throughout this episode, David and Meredith reference scientific research that supports the importance of knowledge and vocabulary in comprehending text. Keith Stanovich and Anne Cunningham’s “What Reading Does for the Mind,” found that all kids—no matter their reading level—benefit from a volume of reading. Cognitive psychologist Chuck Perfetti’s work shows that the more a reader knows about a word (its spelling, orthography, pronunciation, etc.), the more likely they are to be a successful comprehender.For more information about this episode, visit the Knowledge Matters Podcast website. The research, studies and artifacts mentioned are posted on the Knowledge Matters Campaign curriculum review tool.This podcast is produced by the Knowledge Matters Campaign and StandardsWork. Follow the Knowledge Matters Campaign on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Search #knowledgematters and join this important conversation. If you'd like to get in touch with David and Meredith, you can contact them through their website, readingdoneright.org.Production by Tressa Versteeg. Original music and sound engineering by  Aidan Shea. Narration recorded at Bamboo Recording Studios.