Content-Area Vocabulary:
Social Studies
Andrew Kennamer
Article Summary
O Vocabulary plays a critical role in academic
success
O The more we encounter a word, encounter it
in different contexts, and use it, the better
we understand that word.
O Students will have different levels of
understanding a term but, by exposing them
to the term multiple times, they will
internalize new information about the word.
Summary Continued
O Words can have different meanings depending
on the context and field they are used in (known
as polysemous).
O Teachers must make sure to clarify the
meanings of content-related vocabulary.
O A large percentage of the vocabulary in each
content area contains affixes and root words
that can be taught directly.
O Words need to be taught in the content area’s
context. The words within a content area need
to be taught in relation to one another so
students understand important concepts.
Summary Continued
O Teaching definitions of words does not
ensure understanding of words.
O Reading and word consciousness needs to
be incorporated in all content areas.
O A simple framework for incorporating
vocabulary is composed of preparation,
explanation, application, and reinforcement.
Response to Article
Learning new words is a cumulative task
that takes place gradually over time
It seems like common sense that we
better understand a word the more we are
exposed to it, but it is vitally important to
remember when teaching Social Studies. In
lectures, discussions, or activities it is
important for the teacher to use the
vocabulary terms as much as possible. This
contextualizes the terms for students and
shows them how to properly use the words.
Words with multiple meanings are common
in the content areas.
Teachers must emphasize the context a
term is used in. This is the best way to
differentiate words with multiple meanings. By
exposing the students to the word in the
content area’s context as much as possible,
students will quickly catch on to how it is
properly used in that field.
Affixes and root words need to be taught
It is important for students to understand
the meanings of affixes and root words because it
can enable students to figure out the meanings of
previously unknown words. Time constraints may
not allow the teacher to teach affixes and roots
words directly to students, but a reference sheet
with commonly encountered affixes and root words
could be given to students. The more they refer to
the sheet, the better they will internalize the
meanings of those affixes and root words.
Words need to be taught in relation to other
words.
Once again, this seems obvious, but it
is critical for teachers to remember to do this.
When a whole group of related words come to
mind when one thinks of a word, it is easier to
remember its meaning and immediately puts
the word in context.
Productive vocabulary instruction must
extend beyond word definitions.
I completely agree that many
definitions can be confusing when
encountered for the first time. In cases like
this, the definition does little to help one
understand the word itself. When teaching
vocabulary, context is everything. The
definition is only one part of the puzzle. How it
is used within the content area is incredibly
important to helping students learn new
terms.
Instructional Framework
The activity described is a simple effective
way to teach new words to students. The chart is a
great way for students to organize the information
about words. I like the idea of having the students
use the vocabulary in writing tasks to help them
internalize their meanings and uses. I do not know
that there is enough time to do activities like this
every time a teacher introduces a new set of
vocabulary. These activities may be better suited
as homework assignments to reinforce the
students’ understanding of the terms.