Research to Practice
Lesson Plan Starter
Using Mnemonics to Teach Word Meanings: Letter Strategies- Acronym
Objective: To teach students to analyze and predict the meaning of words
Setting and Materials:
Settings: Academic classroom
Materials:
• paper and pencil
• large classroom display of acronym and acrostic
Content Taught
1) Students are taught the meaning of acronyms (each letter represents a word)
Teaching Procedures
1. Pre-read the content assignment
2. List out the information to be learned
3. List the first letter of each word and arrange them so they spell a real word or a
made up word that is easy to remember
4. Display the acronym so that the spelled word and the information to be learned can
both be seen clearly
i. The 5 Great Lakes
H- Huron
O- Ontario
M- Michigan
E- Erie
S- Superior
ii. The 5 classes of vertebrates
F- Fish
A- Amphibians
R- Reptiles
M- Mammals
B- Birds
iii. The Central Powers of World War I
T- Turkey
A- Austria-Hungary
G- Germany
Evaluation
1
Research to Practice
Lesson Plan Starter
Students are evaluated the following ways:
1) Create a task analysis with the steps of the mnemonic and document how
many steps students can complete independently.
2) Evaluate students based on content knowledge and teacher created tests.
Lesson Plan Based on:
Scruggs, T.E., Mastropieri, M. A., Berkley, S. L., Marshak, L. (2010). Mnemonic
strategies: Evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. Intervention in
School and Clinic, 46(2), 79-86. doi:10.1177/1053451210374985
Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including
vocabulary describing political, social, or economic aspects of history/social science
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and
phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 910 texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.4
Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and
phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades
11-12 texts and topics.
Modifications:
Allow students to create pictures in a different format such as using graphics on a
computer or cutting pictures out of a magazine.
This Lesson Plan Starter was developed by The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT), Charlotte, NC, funded by
Cooperative Agreement Number H326E140004 with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). This document has been reviewed and approved by the OSERS. Opinions expressed herein do not
necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial
products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education. OSEP Project Officer: Dr. Selete Avoke. RSA
Project Officer: Kristen Rhinehart-Fernandez. This product is public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is
granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be:
National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (2015). Using Mnemonics to Teach Word Meanings.
2