Vocabulary Strategies
How Important are WORDS?
Why Vocabulary
Instruction?
The essence of good vocabulary instruction is the creation of contexts in
which students constantly use relevant vocabulary in their reading,
writing, and speaking. This is in contrast to the ineffective, but far more
prevalent, "assign, define and test" approach.
Teachers in each content area should implement purposeful vocabulary
instruction to:
1) increase reading comprehension,
2) develop knowledge of new concepts,
3) improve range and specificity in writing,
4) help students communicate more effectively, and
5) develop deeper understanding of words and concepts with which
students are only familiar.
http://knowledgeloom.org/practice_basedoc.jsp?t=1&bpid=1207&aspect=1&location
=2&parentid=1197&bpinterid=1197&spotlightid=1174&testflag=yes
Vocabulary Word Maps
A vocabulary word map is a visual organizer that helps students
engage with and think about new terms or concepts in several ways.
The new term goes in the middle of the map. Students fill in the
rest of the map with a definition, synonyms, antonyms, and a
picture to help illustrate the new concept.
Vocabulary Word
Maps Examples
Frayer Model
The Frayer Model is a graphical organizer used for word analysis and
vocabulary building. This four-square model prompts students to think
about and describe the meaning of a word or concept by . . .
•Defining the term,
•Describing its essential characteristics,
•Providing examples of the idea, and
•Offering non-examples of the idea.
Semantic Webbing
Semantic Webbing builds a side-by-side graphical representation
of students' knowledge and perspectives about the key themes
of a reading selection before and after the reading experience.
Semantic Webs achieve three goals:
•"Reviving" or "reactivating" students' prior knowledge and
experience,
•Helping students organize both their prior knowledge and new
information confronted in reading, and
•Allowing students to discover relationships between their prior
and new knowledge.
Word Wall
A Word Wall is a strategy to reinforce the core vocabulary of a
specific subject. Teachers select new words, technical terms, and
words that frequently recur and print these words in bold block
letters on cards. Teachers post these cards on a highly visible
wall or bulletin board as students confront them in reading or
discussions. Note: the Word Wall is built one word at a time as
students encounter new terminology.
Steps to Creating/Using a
Word Wall
•
•
•
Identify the key vocabulary words that students
need to know for a specific topic or reading
assignment.
Print the words in large block letters on cards for
posting on a prominent (always visible) wall or
bulletin board.
Post the word cards as the terms are confronted in
classroom discussion or reading.
• Regularly review the terms on the Word Wall.
Have students read them aloud as a "warm
up" exercise.
• Frequently call on students to "refresh" their
classmates' memories of the definitions of
these words.
• Reinforce these vocabulary words by
including them in learning games and
activities.
Flashcard Website
http://www.kitzkikz.com/flashcards/
PowerPoint Game
Templates
http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/vocab/wordgames-vocab.html
http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/PPT-games
http://projects.coe.uga.edu/lrieber/wwild/search/PPT-search-results.asp
Basic Math Vocabulary
http://www.netxv.net/pm-view.php?page=136
http://opi.mt.gov/PDF/Assessment/CRT/RI/06MathVocab.pdf
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/3-8/5mathlang.doc
Basic Science Vocabulary
http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us/Students/Vocab/MSScienceVocabulary.pdf
Basic U.S. History Word
List
http://www.acps.k12.va.us/curriculum/socialstudies/vocabulary.pdf
http://ushistory.pwnet.org/PDFs/USI_Vocabulary.pdf
Voycabulary
VoyCabulary makes the words on any webpage into links, so
you can look them up with just a click--in a dictionary of your
choice.
http://www.voycabulary.com/
When all is said and done………
If Words are NOT Relevant
They Are Wasted
And you are wasting your time…….
ATTACK STRATEGIES
Use Context Clues
Highlight
Find Key Words
Underline
Block
Examples of Vocabulary Attack
Strategy
During a 40-hour week, Brendan earned $320.
Which proportion could be used to find the
amount, x, he would earn if he only worked
for 35 hours?
Some students are investigating the similarities and
differences between plant and animal cells. Which of
the following sets of equipment would be MOST
useful for this investigation?
A. Microscope and slides
B. Hand lens and razor blades
C. Microscope and graduated cylinder
D. Triple beam balance and microscope
Another Example…
The ends to be met are to better "secure their
peace and quiet" and to see that the "lives,
liberties, and fortunes" of all citizens, understated
rules (law), might be better protected.
— Summary of Locke's opinion of government
John Locke believed that the role of
government was to —
A.
B.
C.
D.
spread the state religion
control the state economy
preserve the rights of the people
maintain the ruler's absolute power
Words are
IMPORTANT!