Vocabulary Instruction “Teaching specific terms in a specific way is probably the strongest action a teacher can take to ensure that students have the academic background knowledge they need to understand the content they will encounter…” - Marzano, Building Academic Vocabulary

Reading Vocabulary: Non-Content “Target” Words Which words? Multi-syllabic Unusual / different context Affect comprehension When? Before you read During reading Limit the number! panoramic perpendicular vestige

“Target Words”: non-content Before Reading: Say the word - repeat Contextualize Give a student-friendly explanation During Reading: Stop Repeat pronunciation Review quick definition

Academic Vocabulary “Dictionary (or even book) definitions are not an effective vehicle for learning word meanings.” - Beck, et al, 2002

Choosing Vocabulary: Use a Filter Which words are critically important to the understanding of the subject? Will the words generalize – be used in other times in history (or other) courses? Are the words a part of our everyday world & need to be internalized? Limit the number!

Teach vs. Familiarize Teach:Familiarize: Ch. 3, Section 1: Desert Bloom – Caravan Cities, page 52 oasis noriatribe qanatFrankincense Roadpilgrimage shaikhidolsuq nomadLost City of UbarMecca Are there any words that can be discussed, used, and revisited, but do not need to be memorized for life-long learning?

Systematic Instruction Step 1: Provide a description, explanation, or example What do they already know? Clarify misconceptions Step 2: Have students restate meaning in own words Initial understanding may be very simplistic Allow students to check with partner Step 3: Have students draw a picture, symbol, or graphic to represent the term Model, model, model!

Let’s Try These Steps with your vocab

Vocabulary Grid TermTempUsageSymbol My Definition: My Sentence: My Definition: My Sentence:

Vocabulary Grid TermTempUsageSymbol barbarian My Definition: a person considered by others to be uncivilized; foreigners My Sentence: The barbarians invaded the countryside, looting and burning as they moved. monastery My Definition: where priests lived and learned. In early times, the priests taught out of their monasteries My Sentence: Monasteries were a safe place for people to learn and to pray with priests.

You Try It! Practice using the Vocabulary Grid with these words: migrate priest

Vocab. Notecards Vocabulary Term: Level of Understanding 1234 Defined in my own words: Symbol or pictureNew Information Learned:

Vocab. Notecards Vocabulary Term: Empire Level of Understanding 1234 Defined in my own words: An area – usually quite large and consisting of several territories or states - ruled by one person. This ruler is called an Emperor or Empress. Symbol or pictureNew Information Learned: The Roman Empire at one time covered from Britain to Africa, and Spain to Syria. Wow

You Try It! Practice using the Vocabulary Notecard with one of these words: province merchant

Systematic Instruction, cont. Step 4: Help students add to their knowledge of the terms As they read More discussions or activities that include the term Step 5: Have students discuss the terms together Share & explain their grids/notecards quiz each other – (quiz, quiz, trade / with whiteboards) Step 6: Periodically play games to review Pictionary?, “What am I?”, etc. often-skipped steps!

Quiz, Quiz, Trade Class “Showdown” Games (ie: Class Pictionary, $100,000 Pyramid, etc) What do you do? Let’s Talk about a Few! a Few!