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A Crash Course in Vocabulary Instruction - Coggle Diagram
A Crash Course in Vocabulary Instruction
What words matter most?
Tier 3- These are words that are content-specific, or crucial to understanding subject matter (e.g., “factor” in math, “photosynthesis” in biology, “acceleration” in physics, “thesis” in language arts).
Tier 2- are words that help students to understand questions, directions, and participate in discussions that apply across various subject areas.
Focus on Vocabulary: Look at the central ideas, themes, or processes students will need to understand in your classroom.
Tried and True Strategies for Vocabulary Instruction
Explicit vocabulary instruction
a clear, student-friendly definition presented directly to students along with examples and non-examples of words.
Graphic organizers
help students visualize relationships between words, deepen understanding, and improve retention.
Encourage spaced repetition/practice
- this approach involves reviewing vocabulary at increasing intervals over time.
Retrieval Practice
-This is a powerful learning strategy proven to improve long-term retention. It involves actively recalling information from memory.
Include peer interaction and collaborative learning.
Vocabulary Journals for students to log new words, definitions, and their own sentences. Once they have done so, they are encouraged to share and refine their entries with peers.
Peer discussions that encourage students to discuss words and their meanings in small groups.
Think-Pair-Share activities for students to think about the meaning of a word, pair up to discuss, and share insights in a larger group or the entire class.
Incorporate movement
Work as a class to develop actions or movements that will help students remember the meaning of words
Sticky first encounters
Make students first exposure to words dynamic. For example, use the word in a funny or personal story.
Tap into technology and Multimedia
Brainscape
: is a powerful flashcard creator that applies the principle of spaced repetition to regulate vocabulary review study, giving repeated exposure to the concepts students feel less sure about, and less to the ones they know more confidently. The free plan allows individuals to create and share cards and gives you access to some pre-made decks. Paid plans have more features and access to premium decks, which have been professionally certified.
Quizlet
: makes it easy for students to engage in interactive practice with key vocabulary. Teachers/students can create digital flashcards with words and their definitions and then study through various methods such as flipping through cards, playing games, taking practice tests, and listening to pronunciations.
Bitsboard:
is a slick, user-friendly tool that allows educators to create a variety of activities including flashcards for student use.
Flippity:
turns a Google Sheet into a set of online flashcards. Other options for word review include word searches, crossword puzzles, bingo cards, and Jeopardy!-style quiz games.
GoConqr: GoConqr is a platform where users can create and share flashcards, mind maps, quizzes, and other materials for free.
WordWall: This website allows teachers and students to create vocabulary activities like matching, cloze exercises, and jeopardy-style games. Teachers can create up to three activities for free.
Google Slides: This tool can be used to create individual and collaborative digital flashcards. They can also be used to create a Frayer model.
Blooket: Teachers can use Blooket to create a "question set" featuring vocabulary words and corresponding multiple-choice or short-answer questions. Questions can ask for definitions, synonyms, antonyms, example sentences or applications of the words in context. Blooket offers a variety of game modes (e.g…Tower Defense, Gold Quest, Battle Royal) that make vocabulary practice fun and engaging. Play/review modes include:
Putting it All Together
In Conclusion....
Effective vocabulary instruction is not just an added layer of support for learners—it is foundational to their success across all subject areas.
Vocabulary instruction is about opening doors for our students
Identifying essential Tier 2 and Tier 3 words, collaborating with colleagues to refine focus areas, and employing a mix of research-based strategies, teachers can bridge the gap between students and the complex language of the classroom.