Vocabulary Instruction

“Teaching specific terms in a specific way is probably the strongest action a teacher can take to ensure that students have the academic background knowledge they need to understand the content they will encounter…”

- Marzano, Building Academic Vocabulary

Reading Vocabulary: Non-Content “Target” Words

Which words?• Multi-syllabic• Unusual / different context• Affect comprehension

When?• Before you read• During reading

Limit the number!

panoramic

perpendicular

vestige

“Target Words”: non-content

Before Reading:• Say the word - repeat• Contextualize• Give a student-friendly explanation

During Reading:• Stop• Repeat pronunciation• Review quick definition

Academic Vocabulary

“Dictionary (or even book) definitions are not an effective vehicle for learning word meanings.”

- Beck, et al, 2002

Choosing Vocabulary:Use a Filter

Which words are critically important to the understanding of the subject?

Will the words generalize – be used in other times in history(or

other) courses?

Are the words a part of our everyday world & need to be internalized?

Limit t

he

number!

Teach vs. Familiarize

Teach: Familiarize:

Ch. 3, Section 1: Desert Bloom – Caravan Cities, page 52

oasis noria tribeqanat Frankincense Roadpilgrimageshaikh idol suqnomad Lost City of UbarMeccaAre there any words that can be discussed, used, and revisited,

but do not need to be memorized for life-long learning?

Systematic Instruction

• Step 1: Provide a description, explanation, or example• What do they already know? • Clarify misconceptions

• Step 2: Have students restate meaning in own words• Initial understanding may be very simplistic• Allow students to check with partner

• Step 3: Have students draw a picture, symbol, or graphic to represent the term• Model, model, model!

Let’s Try These Stepswith your vocab

Vocabulary GridTerm Temp Usage Symbol

1

2

3

4

My Definition:

My Sentence:

1

2

3

4

My Definition:

My Sentence:

Vocabulary GridTerm Temp Usage Symbol

barbarian

1

2

3

4

My Definition: a person considered by others to be uncivilized; foreigners

My Sentence: The barbarians invaded the countryside, looting and burning as they moved.

monastery

1

2

3

4

My Definition: where priests lived and learned. In early times, the priests taught out of their monasteries

My Sentence: Monasteries were a safe place for people to learn and to pray with priests.

You Try It!

Practice using the Vocabulary Grid with these words:

migrate

priest

Vocab. NotecardsVocabulary Term:

Level ofUnderstandin

g

1 2 3 4

Defined in my own words:

Symbol or picture New Information Learned:

Vocab. NotecardsVocabulary

Term: EmpireLevel of

Understanding

1 2 3 4

Defined in my own words:

An area – usually quite large and consisting of several territories or

states - ruled by one person. This ruler is called an Emperor or Empress.

Symbol or picture New Information Learned:The Roman Empire at one time covered from Britain to Africa, and Spain to Syria. Wow

You Try It!

Practice using the Vocabulary Notecard with one of these words:

province

merchant

Systematic Instruction, cont.

• Step 4: Help students add to their knowledge of the terms• As they read• More discussions or activities that include the

term

• Step 5: Have students discuss the terms together• Share & explain their grids/notecards• quiz each other – (quiz, quiz, trade / with

whiteboards)

• Step 6: Periodically play games to review• Pictionary? , “What am I?”, etc.

often-skipped

steps!

Quiz, Quiz, TradeClass “Showdown”Games (ie: Class Pictionary, $100,000

Pyramid, etc)

What do you do?

Let’s Talk about a Few!