CODE Vocabulary

CODE stands for CONNECT, ORGANIZE, DEEP-PROCESS, AND EXERCISE.  This strategy helps students master crucial concepts and retain new vocabulary terms. Students work from initial exposure to terms to an in-depth understanding through a series of progressive learning activities so they can "crack the code."

Implementation of CODE in the Classroom

Connect:  Students form a strong initial connection to the terms. 

One way students can do this is by rating their current understanding of the new vocabulary; a rating of 1 is "I have never heard this term before," and a rating of 4 is "I know and can explain this term."

Organize:  Students remember better when information is clearly organized.  Students need to develop and understanding of how the terms are related to one another and fit together in a larger picture.  

One way to accomplish this is to group students to create their own vocabulary maps.  Students look up unfamiliar words and use resources to help them organize the terms in a way that is meaningful to them.  Students can incorporate terms they already know to help them make string connections.

Deep-Processing: Students use thinking strategies and many forms of representation to develop a deep and conceptual understanding of important terms. 

One strategy for deep-processing is to have students create a set of Code Vocabulary Cards for the terms.  Each card has a picture/icon on one side and the term and its meaning on the opposite side.  Then, these cards can be used for quizzing and studying. 

Exercise: Students engage in meaningful review and practice activities to commit the new terms to long-term memory.  

To accomplish this goal, students go back and rate their understanding of the terms again. Students also compose a writing sample summarizing what they have learned in the unit and incorporate as many vocabulary words as possible in an appropriate way. 

Silver, H.F., Dewing, R.T., & Perini, M.J.(2012). The Core Six: Essential Strategies for Achieving Excellence. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.