Elaborate and Extrapolate

Activity for Awareness: 

Elaborate and Extrapolate (E & E Time)

Objective: 

Students will be able to review, elaborate, and then use vocabulary words in new ways (extrapolate).

Suggested Grades: 

4-12

Materials: 

The Elaborate and Extrapolate Graphic Organizer (E & E Time); list of vocabulary words; and the Elaboration Ideas for Vocabulary Words

Preparation: 

Photocopy the Elaborate and Extrapolate Graphic Organizer and the Elaboration Ideas for Vocabulary Words--one of each per student. Post the vocabulary words that you want the students to use for this activity.

Time Needed: 

15-20 minutes

Grouping Suggestions: 

Three to four students per group or partnership (depends on the number of vocabulary words). Each student elaborates on three vocabulary words from the list (for example, having three students per group, you need nine words total).

Instructions:

1. Place students in groups of three or four. Ask them to each choose three words from the list of vocabulary words that you have provided (on the chalkboard, handout, computer, etc.) . Each student in the group needs three different words (they can't elaborate on the same word in their groups).

2. Students use the graphic organizer to elaborate and extrapolate on each word. Each row on this graphic organizer guides students to a better understanding of their chosen words.  

3. In the first box of the row, students list the word and its definition. Explain to the students that a good definition is one that is in the student's own words and written simply for understanding. In the second box of the row, students choose two ways from the Elaboration Ideas for Vocabulary Words in which they want to elaborate on the word. 

4. They use the provided space (and the back of the page if more room is needed) to show the elaboration choice. Encourage students to use a variety from that list. After these two boxes are filled in, students are ready for the last box of the row­ Extrapolation 

5. Extrapolation is the ability to form a new conclusion based on what is known. It's time for the students to use the word in a new way by creating their own sentence using the word. 

6. Encourage the students to use the word in at least two different ways in their newly created sentences (suffix change, tense change, different meaning, etc.). The sentence must have enough detail for the reader to know that the writer does understand the word's meaning well, and the sentences must reflect how the students think the word will be used in the unit of study or book that is being read.

7. When the graphic organizers are complete, you can do any of the following activities with these words:

**Students read their sentences aloud, and the other group members need to guess what the word means. The students also teach the other  group members the word through the elaboration ideas.

**Students share their word meanings with the other students. The other students take notes while each student is teaching his or her words. Notes can be taken on another sheet of paper or on the back of the graphic organizer. These notes are used to study for the test or for other activities.

**Students take the information and create a vocabulary test with the words. The teacher chooses the best vocabulary test to deliver to the whole class.

Students share their vocabulary words with their teammates  and then they each create another, different sentence using the word.

Differentiation:

Tier Up: Give more challenging vocabulary words. Ask the students to elaborate more and use more challenging elaboration ideas.

Tier Down: Provide more support by helping students with how to elaborate on the word. Cross out one whole row and focus on fewer words. Help these students devise a definition. Ask these students to create just one Extrapolation sentence.

Example:

Word: Extrapolate

Definition: To arrive at conclusions or results by hypothesizing from known facts or observations.

Elaborate on the Word:

1. Synonyms: predict, hypothesize, infer

2. Relate to the real world: extrapolation often occurs in the world of science. Scientists observe what is happening and then create an extrapolation from what they see.

Extrapolation:

1. I extrapolate after my basketball game in order to have a better game next time.

2. In order to think at higher levels with content, we need to extrapolate from the ideas and facts so that new paradigms can be made.