Identify the Discipline
______________
______________
_____________
michondria
octagon
nationalism
ATP
decagon
imperialism
consumer
bisect
isolationist
producer
equilateral
radicalism
symbosis
quadrilateral
anarchy
mRNA
∑
monarchy
tRNA
π
oligarchy
Disciplinary Discourse

Each discipline has its own vocabulary, way of speaking,
ways of creating new knowledge, ways of looking at the
world

We must teach not only the content, but the “ways of
knowing” – the nature of our disciplinary thinking -- and the
Discourse - the “ways of speaking”
Language is Important!
Polysemous Terms

Words (and symbols) with multiple meanings: different
meanings depending on context and discipline
 Base



Part of a triangle
Part of an exponential number (3X2)
Volume


Measure of the space something occupies
Measure of how loud or soft a sound is
Types of Vocabulary
Categories
of Vocabulary
In
Content Areas
GENERAL:
Includes academic
language
POLYSEMOUS:
Terms with multiple
meanings
TECHNICAL:
Terms used in particular
ways in specific
disciplines
Word Learning Tasks
Words
Concept
Examples from science
Known word
Known concept
weather
New word
Known concept
Meteorology, precipitation
Known word
New concept
Pressure, storm watch, storm
warning
New word
New concept
hygrometer
Levels of Understanding
Facts
Your
inference
Your
conclusion
Your
response
Weather forecast:
27OF – 98% humidity
IT’S GOING TO SNOW!
NO
School
JOY
Literal
Interpretive
Tough day
& school
Application
MISERY
Transactive
Levels of Comprehension Applied to Vocabulary
Transactive - Value and enjoy words
Collect Words
Application - Use of vocabulary writing / talking
Use Word
Interpretive - relational knowledge
Own Word
Literal - definitional knowledge
Rent Word
Word Perception – spelling knowledge
Recognize
word
So, How do you teach vocabulary?

Remember that teaching vocabulary is teaching the content

Process mirrors the Learning Cycle:




Before – concept development and introduce the terms [preactive]
During – refine meaning [interactive]
After – reflection – reinforcement [relational]
But first, a story . . .
VOCABULARY SELECTION

List of 61 words

Look up words in
dictionary and write a
sentence

FLOPPED!

Checks identify the
next year’s
vocabulary words
Vocabulary Selection

Select only those terms necessary for target
concepts to be understood
 Is the term essential for concept attainment?
 Does the term provide an opportunity to build
independence? [word parts / context clues]
 What is the relative importance of the term?
 What is the relation to key concepts?
Vocabulary Instruction
PREACTIVE: Engage,
Explore, and Build
Concepts
REFLECTIVE:
INTERACTIVE:
Connect, Transform,
and Personalize
Vocabulary Knowledge
Refine and Elaborate
Vocabulary
Knowledge
Vocabulary Instruction in
Disciplines
Learning Cycle

Preactive:

Engage students in activities to develop concepts, then provide
the label (math and science)

Introduce and define terms prior to reading

Interactive

Refine their knowledge of terminology

Emphasize multiple aspects of the meanings of the terms

Reflective

Connect, transform, and personalize knowledge

Reinforce vocabulary

Emphasize relational knowledge
Preactive: Construct Concepts
Content Area Example
English/LA
• Use video, drama, preview of text [read aloud] to introduce
concepts or themes
• Brainstorm with students – use semantic map or synonym
map to record ideas and discuss
Math
• Use manipulatives to help students develop concepts
• Provide a problem for students to collaboratively discuss
• Generate data and solve problems in pairs or small groups
Science
• “mess about in science” - water on wax paper
• Have students explore concepts through video,
demonstration, or other experience
Social
Studies
• Use video, drama, preview of graphics to introduce
concepts
• Brainstorm with students – use semantic map to record
ideas and discuss
Interactive Phase:
Refining Meaning

Help students extend and refine their understanding of
vocabulary

Strategies:



Four square
Frayer Model
Concept of Definition Word Map
Four Square
A versatile strategy that emphasizes multiple aspects of terms and concepts
Term
Define in own words
Word parts
Diagram / other to help
remember
Four Square: English
Simile
A type of figurative language that
compares two unlike things by
pointing out a way/ways they are
alike – uses
LIKE
Examples:
She is pretty as a picture.
He runs like a cheetah.
He is lower than a snake’s belly in a
road rut.
or
AS
Similes make language more
interesting and colorful. Southerners
use a lot of similes in their speech.
Four Square: math [triangle]
Definition
Symbols / diagram
Three sided-polygon with angles
adding to 180°
Identified by angles
Identified by sides
Right – has 1 90° angle
Obtuse – has 1 angle larger than 90°,
but less than 180°
Acute – has 3 acute angles [angle less
than 90°]
Equilateral – two sides are equal
Isosceles – all sides are equal
Four Square: math
[functions]
Algebraic model
Numeric or Tabular model
Graphic model
dependent
Verbal model
Independent variable
Four Square Example: science
Mitosis:
Two identical daughter
cells result
Cell division of plant and Occurs in somatic (body)
cells.
animal cells
five stages:
interphase, prophase,
metaphase, anaphase,
telophase
Four Square: social studies
Definition: Federalists – People –
Supported a strong
Alexander Hamilton
central government
George Washington
James Madison [initially]
Event - ratification of the Beliefs
Constitution
Saw the need to replace
the Articles of
Confederation with a
federal form of
government
Four Square
A versatile strategy that emphasizes multiple aspects of terms and concepts
Term:
Polysemous
Define in own words:
Words that have multiple
meanings
Word parts:
Poly = many
Semous = meanings
Example:
Base: base 2, 10; base
of triangle; chemical that
turns litmus blue
Four Square – try it
Choose a term from your vocabulary list and create a Four Square – change
the type of information required in the boxes to suit your needs.
Term and/or definition
Define in own words /
Word parts
Diagram / other to help
remember
Frayer Model
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
CONCEPT
EXAMPLES
NON-EXAMPLES
Frayer Model - English
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
•Figure of speech
•Comparison of two unlike things
•Uses like or as
•What is compared
•Length of words
SIMILE
•He is as strong as an ox.
•He was as quiet as a mouse.
•The little one looked like an angel.
EXAMPLES
He is an ox.
[Metaphor]
The wind whispered.
[Personification]
NON-EXAMPLES
Frayer Model: Math
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Two dimensional
Three sides
Three vertices
Angles add to 180°
Scalene
Obtuse
Isosceles
Acute
Right
EXAMPLES
Length of sides
Measure of individual angles
triangle
Square
Circle
Quadrilateral
Rectangle
Hexagon
NON-EXAMPLES
Frayer Model: Science
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Genetic material duplicates
before division
One cell produces two
daughter cells
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Number of chromosomes in original cell
Type of cell does not matter, as long as it
has chromosomes
Size of cell
Daughter cells are identical
mitosis
A fertilized egg
Body [somatic] cells
EXAMPLES
Budding
Meiosis
Gamete production
NON-EXAMPLES
Frayer Model: Social Studies
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
Person’s age, state they live in,
Where born
Male
Believed in a strong central government
Wanted to replace the Articles of
Confederation with a
stronger document
Federalists
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington
John Adams [only Federalist
president]
EXAMPLES
Anti-Federalists like:
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
[people who lived in new western
territories]
NON-EXAMPLES
Frayer Model
Take a piece of paper; fold it in half twice; fold over the inside corner – you
have created a Frayer Model blank. Choose a vocabulary term from your list
created earlier and complete a Frayer Model for it.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
EXAMPLES
NON-ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS
NON-EXAMPLES
Concept of Definition Map Category:
COMPARISON
Term
Vocabulary Term
What are some examples?
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
Concept of Definition Map - ELA
Category:
Figure of
Speech
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
COMPARISON
METAPHOR
Comparison
SIMILE
2 unlike things
Uses like or as
What are some examples?
She sang like an
angel.
His eyes were as
blue as the sky.
He was as sly as a
fox.
Concept of Definition Map - Math
Category:
polygon
Three sides
COMPARISON
quadrilateral
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
triangle
Three vertices
Angles add to 180°
What are some examples?
Right
Isosceles
Equilateral
Concept of Definition Map -Science
Category:
asexual
reproduction
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
Genetic material
duplicates
COMPARISON
mitosis
Two daughter cells
result
meiosis
Daughter cells are
identical
What are some examples?
Fertilized egg grows
Somatic cells
replace
themselves
Unicellular organisms
reproduce this way
Concept of Definition Map – Social Studies
Category:
Political Party
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
Believed in strong
central government
COMPARISON
Anti-Federalists
Federalists
Wanted to replace the
Articles of
Confederation
First political party in US
What / who are some examples?
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington
John Adams
Concept of Definition Map Choose a term from your list and create a CD Map for the term.
Category:
COMPARISON
What are some examples?
What is it like?
[properties or
characteristics]
Helping students own the concepts and
vocabulary in your discipline
Reinforcing Vocabulary
INCREASING
COGNITIVE
Application:
ENGAGEMENT
Use of any of the interpretive
activities in writing --
employment
& immersion
Interpretive:
• Word sorts
• Categories
• Graphic organizers
• Semantic Feature Analysis
relational
Literal
•Cross word puzzles
•Dictionary activities
•Magic square
•Fill in the blanks
Word Perception:
Word scrambles
Word finds
definitional
spelling
Interpretive level exercises
Word Sorts
 Categories
 Graphic Organizers
 Semantic Feature Analysis

Word Sort: ELA

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Voldemort

Petunia Dursley

Rubeus Hagrid

Dudley Dursley

Albus Dumbledore

Severus Snape

Hermione Granger

Molly Weasley

Vernon Dursley

Hedwig

4 Privet Drive

Neville Longbottom

Hogworts

Draco Malfoy

Hogsmead

Minerva McGonogall
Word Sort: Math
Sort the following terms into conceptually related groups.
POLYGON
ISOSCELES
TRIANGLE
RECTANGLE
RIGHT TRIANGLE
RHOMBUS
EQUILATERAL
PARALLELGRAM
SCALENE
QUADRILATERAL
SQUARE
TRAPEZOID
OBTUSE TRIANGLE
ACUTE TRIANGLE
Next, provide a label for each group that specifies the relationship among
the terms
Some terms may be used more than once!
Word Sort: Science
First, sort the following terms into two to three conceptually
related groups. Some terms may be used more than once!
ATOM
ELECTRON SHELLS
NEUTRON
ATMIC NUMBER
ELEMENT
NUCLEUS
ATOMIC WEIGHT
GAS
PROTON
COMPOUND
LIQUID
SOLID
ELECTRON
METAL
VALENCE
ELECTRONS
Next, provide a label for each group that specifies the relationship
among the terms
Now, sort each of the resulting groups once again – provide a label
for each group that specifies the relationship among the terms
Continue sorting until you have a graphic organizer that shows
how all the words are related.
Word Sort: History
Identify the most inclusive terms below, use it as the title of this graphic organizer.
Sort the remaining terms and phrases into 3 groups. Take each resulting group and
sort again. Continue sorting until you have exhausted all hierarchical relationships.

Alexander Hamilton


Anti-federalists

George Washington

Articles of Confederation

John Adams

Bill of Rights


Confederation
Patrick Henry
Sam Adams

Constitution


Federal system

Strong central government

Thomas Jefferson
Federalists
Categories - example
In the example below, circle the word that does not
belong, and give a title to the remaining terms that
indicates their relationship:
__________
Proton
__________
__________
Senator
Diameter
Electron
President
Angle
Neutron
Representative
Radius
Nucleus
Speaker of House
π
Graphic Organizer: ELA
Character Maps are useful to focus on vocabulary and characterization
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Evidence:
Harry
Potter
ELA Graphic Organizer: Synonym Map
ANNOUNCED
EXCLAIMED
PROCLAIMED
WHISPERED
SHOUTED
SAID
MOUTHED
MUMBLED
SLURRED
DECLARED
DECLAIMED
Graphic Organizer: Science
Matter
States
Solid
_________
Structure
________
__________
Atom
____________
__________
__________
Atoms of
same kind
2 or more
different
atoms
bonded into
new
substance
Proton
Neutron
Electrons
Valence
Electron
__________
___________
______
_____
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
Use the terms below to complete the GO: Some used more than once
POLYGON
ISOSCELES
TRAPEZOID
PARALLELOGRAM
RECTANGLE
RHOMBUS
SCALENE
RIGHT TRIANGLE
EQUILATERAL
SQUARE
TRIANGLE
OBTUSE TRIANGLE
QUADRILATERAL
ACUTE TRIANGLE
TRAPEZOID
RECTANGLE
ACUTE
RIGHT
Graphic Organizer: History
Federalists
Alexander Hamilton
Sam Adams
George Washington
John Adams
Patriots // Founding
of US government
• Believed in strong federal
government
• Wanted a constitution
• Wanted repeal of the
Articles of Confederation
Anti-Federalists
• Feared a strong
government
• Wanted a confederation
• Supported the Articles of
Confederation
• Demanded a Bill of Rights
Thomas Jefferson
Patrick Henry
George Mason
Semantic Feature Analysis

SFA

Ideal for exploring subtle differences in meaning and
aspects of relations among the terms

Particularly effective for some content structures: taxonomy
[forms of government, types of rocks, animals, chemical
reactions, types of polygons]

Use checks in blocks that indicate a relationship, leave
others blank
SFA: English/Language
Arts
Myth
Characters are not
human
Explains why
things happen
Fiction
Includes magic
Has a moral
Takes place in
past
Includes animals
that talk
Begins with,
“Once upon a
time”
Folk Tale
Fable
SFA: Math
Terms:
Square
Rectangle
Triangle
Rhombus
Trapezoid
Equilateral
equiangular
4 sided
3 sided
Parallel
sides
SFA: Science
Features 
Insects:
Bees
Ants
Mosquitoes
Wasps
Cricket
Flies
6 legs
3 body parts
Wings
Lays eggs Bites
stings
SFA: Social Studies
Party
D=democrat
R=republican
FDR
JFK
Nixon
Carter
Reagin
Clinton
HW Bush
GW Bush
Obama
Congress
of same
party
Reelected
Served in
Congress
Won
popular
vote
Activity
Use your list of terms to:

Create a graphic organizer that shows how the terms are
related to each other

Create at least three category items you might use with your
students

Use a Semantic Feature Analysis grid –



list your words in the wide column
Generate a list of characteristics and write them in the first
row, vertically
Take a couple of minutes to try the SFA exercise yourself