Building Vocabulary
Chapter 3
Vocabulary Instruction
Introduction
Every lesson is a language lesson regardless of the content. Academic outcomes are hugely influenced by whether language is taught arbitrarily or with intent. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss components and methods of vocabulary instruction.
Objectives
Participants will demonstrate understanding of the six Marzano components of vocabulary instruction.
Participants will demonstrate understanding of a seven-step method of vocabulary instruction.
Participants will design a vocabulary lesson.
Marzano Components
Components of Vocabulary Instruction - Marzano
Teacher gives a description, explanation, or example (with nonlinguistic representation)
Students restate the description, example, or explanation in their own words
Students construct their own nonlinguistic representation
Students participate in activities that help build their knowledge of the word
Students discuss the terms with each other Students participate in games that let them play with
the word
Examples of Activities
Analogies Highlighting prefixes and suffixes Identify synonyms and antonyms Metaphors Venn diagrams or other organizers Revise their own definitions as their
understanding increases
Examples of Discussion Activities
Compare descriptions or definitions with a partner
Describe pictures to a partner or within a small group
Construct example situations with a partner
Examples of Games
“Pictionary” Charades Matching synonyms or antonyms Name that category Draw me Talk a mile a minute
A Seven-Step Lesson
The following is a method for initial direct instruction when first introducing a word. It is only ONE part of a system of vocabulary instruction. Word play activities, exercises, and games should be added to create a complete vocabulary learning experience.
Teaching Vocabulary
Pick a Tier 2 word relevant to literature you’re currently reading, or a current content-related Tier 2 word.
Direct the students to rate their own knowledge of the word before and after the lesson.
Remember, students can adjust their rating over time as their understanding increases.
Say the word A LOT during the lesson!
Word Knowledge Rating Scales
– Younger students could use Happy face/Straight face/Sad face picture choices
– Older students could use number rankings
(1-3, 1-5, 1-10)
Seven Steps
1. Introduce the word
2. Student-friendly definition
3. Content-specific definition
4. Use the word in other contexts
5. Guiding questions & sentence starters
6. Short-answer questions
7. Repeat the word
(ELLA)
Seven-Step Lesson
Structure & Progression
Examples
Before continuing, open the following documents, print them, and use them as you follow along during the next several slides.
Example Lesson PlanExample Organizer – Student EditionExample Organizer – Teacher Edition
Vocabulary Lesson – 1
Introduce the word - - say the word and students echo; write the word and students write the word; clap syllables (if appropriate).
Direct the students to rank their current understanding of the word (“before”).
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4 After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Vocabulary Lesson – 2 & 3
Provide a student friendly definition verbally and in writing; have students “cloze” write and echo the definition.
Explain the meaning more fully in the context of the text or concept.
As age-appropriate, provide parts of speech and forms of the word, and a few synonyms and/or antonyms.
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4 After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Vocabulary Lesson - 4
Provide sentences in which the word is used in other contexts.
Students “cloze” write and then echo the sentences.
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4 After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
basically the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Vocabulary Lesson – 5 (ab)
Ask students to Think-Pair-Share-Write, using a sentence starter, about an example or situation in which the word would be used.
Circulate to monitor discussions and to ensure students are using the word verbally.
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
basically the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that
represent the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return
it, that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Vocabulary Lesson – 5 (cd)
Provide two or three non-examples and have the students make note of them.
Ask students to Think-Pair-Share-Write, using a sentence starter, about a non-example of the word or a situation that does not represent the word.
Circulate to monitor discussions and to ensure students are using the word verbally.
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
basically the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that
represent the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Vocabulary Lesson - 6
Ask short answer (yes/no) questions to hone understanding – Formative assessment!
Students can signal using thumbs up/thumbs down or a signal card.
Address misconceptions or misunderstandings individually or with a small group when the lesson is over.
EQUIVALENT 8th grade math
1. Introduce the word (speak, write, choral read, echo read, clap syllables, etc.) 2. Student-friendly definition
When things are equivalent, they are basically the same or of equal value. 3. Content-specific definition
Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same value. 4. Use the word other contexts (can include pictures, movement, etc.)
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with an equivalent salary. When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it, that’s equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
5. Guiding questions and sentence starters (provide think time)
A.) What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
B.) “An example of two things that are equivalent is ….”
(Non-examples: ¾ and ½; 50 minutes and 1 hour)
C.) What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
D.) “An example of two things that are not equivalent is …” 6. Short-answer questions (formative assessment)
Are these things equivalent? (yes or no) o ½ dozen eggs and 6 eggs o 1 quarter and 3 dimes
7. Repeat the word (choral read, echo read, etc.)
Vocabulary Lesson - 7
Echo read or choral read the word.
Direct the students to rank their current understanding of the word (“after”).
Direct students to create their own non-linguistic representation of the word and to write and/or say a definition in their own words (can use the back of the organizer).
equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4 After 1 2 3 4
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
the same or have equal value.
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
Forms of the word and synonyms: equivalency alike equal comparable
The word used in other contexts:
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a salary
equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it, that’s
equivalent to stealing. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
What is an example of two things that are equivalent? An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Non-examples: 3/4 and 1/250 minutes and 1 hourFffFfffFff
What is an example of two things that are not equivalent? An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
Your Turn!
Your turn to practice!
Open the following planning templates before continuing.
Blank Lesson Plan TemplateBlank Organizer Template
Tier 2 Word Review
Importance and utility, instructional potential, conceptual understanding
Is the word relevant to a current topic, concept, or work of literature in your classroom?
– Is the word presenting itself naturally?
Is the word important to the current topic? Does the word have leverage and usefulness?
– Can the word be used in other contexts?
Will studying this word help students develop their overall language skills?
Your turn to practice!
Choose a grade level Choose a content area GLE Choose a related Tier 2 word Follow the template to create a lesson Refer to the examples to help you
SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:– Lesson plan– Organizer (Teacher Edition)– Organizer (Student Edition)
Summary
Six Marzano components for vocabulary instruction include: teacher description, students restate in their own words, non-linguistic representation, activities, discussions, and games.
A seven-step lesson includes: an introduction, a student-friendly definition, a content-specific definition, examples of the word in other contexts, guiding questions and sentence starters, short-answer questions, and a repetition of the word.
Further Readings
Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model by Echevarria, Vogt, and Short
Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan
Building Academic Vocabulary by Marzano and Pickering
English Learners and Language Acceleration (WestEd) Academic Word List
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist/sublists.aspx