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