Non-linguistic and Linguistic
Strategies
for
Teaching Academic Vocabulary
Non-linguistic and Linguistic
Strategies
for
Teaching Academic Vocabulary
Tools
Averil Coxhead
The Academic Word List
• high-incidence and high-utility academic
words
• for Secondary School, Higher Education,
Career
• 570 words are grouped into 10 sub-lists
that reflect word frequency and range.
Averil Coxhead’s Sub-list 1
1. analyze approach area assess assume authority
available benefit concept consist context constitute
contract data define derive distribute economy
environment establish estimate evident factor
finance formula function income indicate individual
interpret involve issue labor legal legislate major
method occur percent period principle proceed
process policy require research respond role section
sector significant similar source specific structure
theory vary
3 in your teaching - Thumb
Isabelle Beck’s Three Tiers of
Vocabulary
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Basic Vocabulary
Rarely require
instructional attention to
their meanings in school
High Frequency Words
Used by mature language
users and found across a
variety of domains
Content Specific Words
Frequency of use is
probably low – limited to
specific domains
Examples: clock, baby,
walk, happy
Examples: affect,
features, created,
condition, specific
Examples: isotope, lathe,
peninsula, refinery
Content specific
School Task Vocabulary
Literary Vocabulary
Academic vocabulary
Robert Marzano
Basic (General Vocab)
Beck’s Tier 1
Advanced (General Vocab)
Beck’s Tier 2
Coxhead’s Academic Wordlist
Academic (All subjects)
Beck’s Tier 3
Time Out!
Bricks and Mortar
...building understanding
Where will they encounter these terms?
• Content Area Text – Book, websites,
supplemental handouts, articles
• Benchmarks
• CST Standards
• CAHSEE
• CELDT
How/where do we find them?
Show me the
Money!
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~alzsh3/avocab/awlhighlighter.htm
Textbooks
• You can use the Problem-Solving Guidelines to
help you translate a problem into an equation
and solve it. Algebra 1
• In the atmosphere, temperature,
precipitation, and other environmental factors
combine to produce weather and climate.
Biology
CST and CAHSEE Q’s
• What element of "trapped" makes it suitable for
adaptation as a drama? 9th Grade ELA CST
• What makes the preceding statement ironic? CAHSEE
• What feature of modern Western democratic
government reflects Aristotle’s view as given above?
10th Grade History CST
• A mineral supplement designed to prevent the
common cold was given to two groups of people
during a scientific study. After eight weeks, neither
groups reported a case of the common cold. Which of
the following would have made the outcome of this
study more valid? 10th Grade Science CST
Textbooks
• You can use the Problem-Solving Guidelines to
help you translate a problem into an equation
and solve it. Algebra 1
• In the atmosphere, temperature,
precipitation, and other environmental factors
combine to produce weather and climate.
Biology
CST and CAHSEE Q’s
• What element of "trapped" makes it suitable for
adaptation as a drama? 9th Grade ELA CST
• What makes the preceding statement ironic? CAHSEE
• What feature of modern Western democratic
government reflects Aristotle’s view as given above?
10th Grade History CST
• A mineral supplement designed to prevent the
common cold was given to two groups of people
during a scientific study. After eight weeks, neither
groups reported a case of the common cold. Which of
the following would have made the outcome of this
study more valid? 10th Grade Science CST
Common
•
•
•
•
•
Knowledge Rating System
Explicit Direct Instruction Process
Definition, explanation, description
Meaningful Interaction
Multiple Exposures
Unique
• Picture/Graphic
• Sentence frames
• Part of Speech
Knowledge Rating Chart
I don’t know I think I
this word
know I this
yet
word
I know this
word
Explicit Vocabulary Instruction Models
• Kinsella - Vocabulary Note-taking Guide
• ASCD What it is…What it is not
Vocabulary Form
• Marzano -Vocabulary Processing Sheet
• Effective Approach – Cognitive Content
Dictionary
Vocabulary Note taking Guide
Word
Word
Part of Speech
Meaning
Definition (Cloze)
(note taking skill)
Examples
Sample sentences with word
in it as Cloze to complete.
(note taking skill)
(Oral/Written) Practice
Sentence or Response starter
Writing Practice: Sentence Starter or Cloze
Word
Part of Speech
Definition (Cloze)
(note taking skill)
Sample sentences with word
in it as Cloze to complete.
(note taking skill)
Writing Practice: Sentence Starter or Cloze
Sentence or Response starter
Vocabulary Note-taking Guide
Word
exemplify
ex•em•pli•fy
(verb)
_____________________
Forms of the word.
exemplifies
exemplified
Meaning
Examples
To give an
This outfit
example of ______________
exemplifies
__________
her
taste in clothes.
something.
His dedication to
weight lifting
exemplified
_____________his
work ethic.
My ________ exemplifies ____________ by _____________.
Mom
teacher
brother
hard work
patience
compassion
What it is…What it’s not..
Definition
Characteristics/Explanation
Write your definition as simply as
possible so that others can
understand it.
List words or phrases that further
describe what the word means.
Write the word.
Word
What it is
Think of several examples that
show this word in action.
What it’s not
Think of several examples of
actions or ideas that are the
opposite of this word.
What it is…What it’s not..
Definition:
1. show or illustrate by example
2. to furnish or serve as an
example of (something)
Characteristics/Explanation:
To exemplify is to show by
example, to take an action
that demonstrates…
exemplify
What It Is:
What It’s Not:
It is an action, it is to show by
It is not a thing, not an example.
doing something, e.g. one can
exemplify honesty by telling the
truth.
Marzano’s Six Steps for
Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Six Steps
1. Teacher provides description, explanation or example of new term
2. Students restate the explanation in their own words
3. Students create a non-linguistic representation of the term
4. Students are periodically given activities that help them add to their
knowledge of vocabulary terms
5. Students are periodically asked to discuss the terms with one another
6. Students are periodically give opportunities to play with the terms
Vocabulary Processing Sheet
Category: (standard, unit, semantic cluster…)
Term, phrase: (word or words)
Description: (What it means)
Related terms, phrases: (Other words I think of)
Picture/graphic
Vocabulary Processing Sheet
Category: verb
Term, phrase:
Picture/graphic
exemplify
Description:
To exemplify, a person must take an
action, and that action must end so well
that others will use it as the example.
Related terms, phrases:
show, illustrate, demonstrate
His laughter was heard around the
corner and exemplified the joy he
felt upon hearing the good news.
Cognitive Content Dictionary
Vocabulary Word
Vocabulary Word
Prediction
Student Friendly
Expectations
(includes example)
Visual Representation
Prediction
Student Friendly
Expectations
(includes example)
Visual Representation
Cognitive Content Dictionary
Vocabulary
Word
Prediction
Student
Friendly
Explanations
Visual
Representation
(includes
example)
exemplify
to make an
example of
something?
To exemplify, a
person must take an
action, and that
action must end so
well that others will
use it as the
example.
Best dancer
Motivation, Let’s see what it means!
Connecting Students to Words
• Connect vocabulary to a piece of text (18% to 33%).
• Integrate new vocabulary with existing knowledge
(Visuals, explanations).
• Meaningful interaction with a word (within text,
sentence frames and response starters).
• Repeated exposures to the word (games and reviews).
• Teach word families/Semantic Clusters (connect to
cognates, organize by topic/theme, common
roots/prefixes/suffixes).
• Utilize mnemonic devices (symbols, rhymes, sketches).
The Great Race (Partners)
Semantic Clusters
Describe Things Associated with Outer Space
Sun
Orbits
Mars
Venus
Saturn
Galaxy
Meteors
Linear Arrays (Partners/Group)
Most --------------------------- Least
List most academic way to say “this shows”.
Most
demonstrates
illustrates
exhibits
presents
displays
Least
(exposure to related words, shades of meanings)
Every teacher in every classroom needs to
address their student’s English language
development needs. This commitment to
vocabulary instruction is pivotal to a
school wide effort confronting the
achievement gap in language and literacy.
Kate Kinsella
There is no longer an excuse for any
student to leave school lacking a general
knowledge of…the basic general terms,
the advanced general terms, and the
academic terms…necessary for success in
U.S. society.
Robert Marzano