Building Academic Vocabulary
Robert Marzano
6 Step Process
Step 1: Provide a description, explanation, or example of the new
term.
 Have students share what they already know (access prior
knowledge) Watch for misconception that you will need to
clarify.
 Provide a direct experience – field trip, guest speaker
 Tell a story that integrates the term.
 Use a visual – video clip, computer images, photos, pictures
 Have small groups investigate terms and then present to the
class
 Use current events to make the term applicable to something
familiar
 Describe your own mental pictures of the term
Step 2: Ask students to restate the description, explanation, or
example in their own words.
Step 3: Ask students to construct a picture, symbol, or graphic
representing the term or phrase.
Step 4: Engage students periodically in activities that help them add
to their knowledge of the terms in their notebooks.
 Highlight a prefix or suffix that will help them remember the
meaning of the term
 Identify synonyms or antonyms for the term
 Draw an additional graphic or picture
 List related words
 ELL students translate the word into their native language
Step 5: Periodically ask students to discuss the terms with one
another.
Step 6: Involve students periodically in games that allow them to
play with terms