Vocabulary Strategies
Students learn the most vocabulary when they read from a wide variety of text. Still, it helpful to directly teach students words, and to teach students how to use context and what they know about words to figure out new words. When teaching vocabulary, be sure to select words that will be used in the students' lives. Special jargon or rare words don't need to be taught directly, since students will not likely use those words in the their real lives. Instead, select words that are common to every day life, or words that are critical for understanding the text being read.
When evaluating strategies or activities for vocabulary instruction, look for strategies that include opportunities for students to make personal connections to the new vocabulary, to have multiple exposure to the vocabulary, and to use the vocabulary in authentic ways. Making connections, having multiple exposures, and using vocabulary in a real way is how students learn words best. All the strategies here are great examples of research-based vocabulary strategies.
When evaluating strategies or activities for vocabulary instruction, look for strategies that include opportunities for students to make personal connections to the new vocabulary, to have multiple exposure to the vocabulary, and to use the vocabulary in authentic ways. Making connections, having multiple exposures, and using vocabulary in a real way is how students learn words best. All the strategies here are great examples of research-based vocabulary strategies.
Click and Clunk: Students use a variety of strategies to come to an understanding of an unknown word.
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Four Square Vocabulary Map: Students critically consider word definitions and relate new words to previously known words.
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I Can Name It In 3: Students use oral language to describe vocbaulary words in a new way so that other students can guess the mystery vocbaulary by listening to the definitions and descriptions.
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Knowledge Rating: Students activate prior knowledge and set a purpose for reading. This strategy is also useful in determining which vocabulary words need to be taught and which ones students already understand.
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Multiple-Meaning Word Map: Students map out multiple meanings of one word.
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Pinch Card: Students practice discriminating between the appropriate use of graphically similar words or homophones.
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Semantic Feature Analysis: Students synthesize information by evaluating new knowledge and making
categorical judgments.
categorical judgments.
| semantic_feature_analysis.pdf |
Vocabulary Book: Students develop understanding of new vocabulary by connecting
vocabulary in context with prior knowledge.
vocabulary in context with prior knowledge.
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Word Map: Students graphically represent an understanding of new vocabulary by connecting vocabulary and prior knowledge.
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Word Sort: Students develop deep understanding of vocabulary through critical comparison to other words.
| word_sort.pdf |
