Vocabulary
Tools and Strategies
Why Teach Vocabulary
• Vocabulary deficits are a major cause of problems with reading comprehension
• Students with low SES have a fraction of the vocabulary of those with higher SES – Entering kindergarten with half the vocabulary of a high SES
student, and adding new words at a much slower rate.
• Context is not enough – explicit instruction of vocabulary is also needed
How to Introduce Vocabulary
• Limit number: 5-10 words at a time
• Provide student-friendly definitions
• Provide context clue sentences
• Create activities that will engage students in dealing with the words’ meaning – Writing which connects to personal experiences– Graphic organizers, thinking activities, and games
• Use multiple strategies, repeated exposures 12 exposures enough for most students, but others require 20 or more
Some Tools and Strategies
• Vocabulary Cartoons
• LINCS Index Cards
• Synonym/Antonym Fill-in-the-blank
• Frayer Model
• And many more!
Vocabulary Cartoons
Students create flash cards with their own word-sound and
picture links
LINCS Vocabulary Strategy (Ellis, 2000)
Word Reminding Word Reminding Story Picture Definition
Creating LINCS Study Cards
fief
1. Draw a line across the middle of both sides of an index card.
2. Write the word on the top half of one side. Then circle it.
Land given by king for fighting in armyfief
3. Write the parts of the definition you need to remember on the . top of the other side.
Creating LINCS Study Cards (cont.)
Land given by king for fighting in armyfief
4. Write the Reminding Word on the bottom of the first side.
chief
5. Write the LINCing Story and draw the LINCing picture on the bottom half of the second side.
Chief of his land
Land given by king for fighting in armyfief
chief
He gave lots of food for the table
giving, generouscharitable
table
My pet constantly barks
constantlyperpetual
pet
LINCS Study Cards – More examples
Provided definitionto make your own LINCS card
Mitosis:
Asexual reproduction of cells
Synonym/Antonym
Fill-in-the-Blanks
Word Antonym Synonym
domestic for_ign _____________________
prosperity p_v_rty _____________________
revenue p_ym_nts _____________________
rural urb_n _____________________
subsequent prev_ous _____________________
Frayer Model
Definition
integer
Examples Non-examples
Facts
Word/Concept
Frayer Model
Definition
integer
Examples Non-examples
Facts
Word/Concept
- Is a number
- Has no fractional or
. decimal part
- May be positive
- May be negative
- May be zero
Frayer Model
Definition
integer
Examples Non-examples
Facts
Word/Concept
- Is a number
- Has no fractional or
. decimal part
- May be positive
- May be negative
- May be zero
0
-4
781
0.2
-1.3
2/3
And More Tools & Strategies
Concept Sort / List-Group-Label
Used to introduce the vocabulary of a new topic, or to review already-learned vocabulary.
Teacher identifies words, Creates several sets of cards (one word per card) Students sort word cards into categories Categories can be defined by the teacher or the students.
Example For introducing a book about trees. Sort words into categories:
Parts of a tree Types of trees Where trees grow What trees need to grow
deciduous leaves water bark
evergreen forests branches mountains
sunlight soil roots rainforest
Prefix / Root / Suffix
Semantic Feature Analysis
FDR JFK Nixon Reagan Clinton
Democrat+ + – – +
Wartime a President
+ – + – –
Congress of same party -/+ + – -/+ -/+Reelected
+ – + + +
Served in Congress
– + + – –
Won majority of popular vote
+ – -/+ + –
Word Hunt
Provide a text (newspaper, book, magazine, etc.) and have students find/highlight all words with a certain characteristic.
Example: Find all words ending in –ate or –ation
Other characteristics might be: Words describing people, Republicans, Democrats etc. Words related to geography Words setting mood or tone Words that contain certain prefixes or suffixes Words that mean add or subtract (math)
List the words and discuss/write a brief definition / synonym for each.Discuss other words with those characteristics.
Word Box
Definition
Sentence
Word
Synonym Antonym Related words
Picture
B I N G O
isolate neutralagricultur
esuffrage
prosperitysubseque
ntdominatio
ninnovation
monarchy ratify excessive legislate
amendunanimou
surban revenue
Check out digital versions of these vocabulary tools at:
autoliteracy.wikispaces.com
References
Allen, J. (1999). Words, Words, Words: Teaching Vocabulary in Grades 4-12. Portland, Maine: Steinhouse Publications. www.steinhouse.com ISBN: 1-57110-085-7
Beck, I.,McKeown, M.,Kucan, L. (2002). Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction. NY: Guilford Press
Ellis, E. S. (2000). The LINCS Vocabulary Strategy. Lawrence, Kansas: EdgeEnterprises, Inc.
www.adlit.org Adolescent Literacy website