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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.

Click and Clunk: Students use a variety of strategies to come to an understanding of an unknown word.
Picture
click_and_clunk.pdf
File Size: 140 kb
File Type: pdf
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Four Square Vocabulary Map: Students critically consider word definitions and relate new words to previously known words.
Picture
four_square_vocab_map.pdf
File Size: 46 kb
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Hexagonal Thought: After reading or studying, students make connection between vocabulary words within a unit.  There are multiple ways to complete this activity.
A. Distribute blank hexagons to students.  Students write one key word they learned during the unit in one hexagon (and cut out the hexagons, if you didn't pre-cut them).  Students work together to connect all the hexagons they made.  One student sets the hexagon in the middle of the group and describes the word.  Then, continuing until every student has included his/her hexagon, students place their own hexagons adjacent to hexagons that have already been put down.  Students must identify how the vocabulary words connect to all the adjacent hexagons when they put their own hexagons down.
B. Prepare hexagons in advance by writing one vocabulary word on each one and cut them out.  Students collaborate to connect all the hexagons, making connections between each word and every adjacent hexagon.
C. You can modify this activity by using pictures, or by adhering the vocabulary to actual hexagon manipulatives. 
Picture
hexagonal_thought.pdf
File Size: 817 kb
File Type: pdf
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The page with 6 hexagons is designed for you to copy, cut into sixths, and distribute to students for them to make their own hexagons (or cut the paper into thirds if you want each student to do 2 hexagons/words).  
The page with 11 hexagons is for you to prepare and cut.  This design allows you to cut more hexagons with less actual cutting, although the hexagons are smaller.
You can easily make your own hexagons your own sizes by adding a shape in a Word document.
I Can Name It In 3: Students use oral language to describe vocabulary words in a new way so that other students can guess the mystery vocabulary by listening to the definitions and descriptions.
Picture
i_can_name_it_in_3.pdf
File Size: 64 kb
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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.  This strategy can also be done orally.  Say a word aloud.  Students hold up the number of fingers that corresponds to their level of knowledge.
Picture
knowledge_rating.pdf
File Size: 146 kb
File Type: pdf
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Multiple-Meaning Word Map: Students map out multiple meanings of one word.
Picture
multi_meaning_word_map.pdf
File Size: 125 kb
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Pinch Card: Students practice discriminating between the appropriate use of graphically similar words or homophones.
Picture
pinch_card.pdf
File Size: 55 kb
File Type: pdf
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Semantic Feature Analysis: Students synthesize information by evaluating new knowledge and making
categorical judgments.
semantic_feature_analysis.pdf
File Size: 117 kb
File Type: pdf
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Vocabulary Book: Students develop understanding of new vocabulary by connecting vocabulary in context with prior knowledge.
Picture
vocabulary_book.pdf
File Size: 51 kb
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Word Map: Students graphically represent an understanding of new vocabulary by connecting vocabulary and prior knowledge.
Picture
word_map.pdf
File Size: 125 kb
File Type: pdf
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Word Sort: Students develop deep understanding of vocabulary through critical comparison to other words.
word_sort.pdf
File Size: 26 kb
File Type: pdf
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  • Resources for Academics
    • Reading >
      • Reading Journal
      • Reading Strategies >
        • Vocabulary Strategies
        • Fluency Strategies
        • Comprehension Strategies >
          • Narrative Texts
          • Expository Texts
      • Beginning Readers >
        • Short Vowels
        • Long a, e, i, o
        • Long u and Dipthongs
        • Tricky g
      • Reading Games >
        • Phonemic Awareness
        • Letter and Letter-Sound Recognition
        • Word Recognition
        • Word Study/Vocabulary
        • Comprehension
    • Writing >
      • The Writing Process
      • Writing Games
    • Math >
      • Number, Operation, and Quantiative Reasoning
      • Patterns, Relationships, and Algebraic Reasoning
      • Geometry and Spatial Reasoning
      • Measurement
      • Probability and Statistics
      • Underlying Processes and Mathematical Tools
    • Science >
      • Scientific Investigation and Reasoning
      • Matter and Energy
      • Force, Motion, and Energy
      • Earth and Space
      • Organisms and Environments
    • Social Studies
    • Behavior >
      • In the Classroom
    • Game Templates
  • Resources for Faith
    • Bible Study >
      • Relentless
    • Prayer
    • Verse Cards
    • Coloring Pages
    • Puzzle Pages and Journals >
      • Old Testament
      • New Testament
    • Beginning Readers >
      • Baby Moses in the Basket
      • Believe It, Jesus Lives
      • Lazarus Lives
      • Paul and Silas Shake Free
      • Peter, John, and the Lame Beggar
      • The Blazing Fire
      • The Good Samaritan
      • The Lame Man Healed
      • The Lost Son
      • The Ten Minas
      • The Unmerciful Servant
      • The Workers in the Vineyard
      • Zacchaeus Meets Jesus
    • Games & Activities >
      • Resurrection Sunday
      • Christmas
      • Fruit of the Spirit
    • VBS
  • Resources for Parents
    • Reading >
      • Beginning Readers >
        • Struggling Readers
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • Links