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Building with Bricks and Mortar
Building with Bricks and Mortar
Developing academic language is an important element of instruction for Multilingual Learners (MLs). In addition to learning and applying key vocabulary of a lesson, MLs are able to learn and acquire those "mortar" words, or connecting words. Building with Bricks and Mortar is a useful vocabulary strategy for MLs across multiple grade levels and content areas. Using this vocabulary building strategy, students will create sentences using vocabulary cards, discuss new sentences with peers, and write their sentences.
Importance of Vocabulary: Bricks and Mortar for MLs
Importance of Vocabulary: Bricks and Mortar for MLs
How to implement Building with Bricks and Mortar
How to implement Building with Bricks and Mortar
Before Activity
Select 3-5 related vocabulary words or key terms.
Write words or two-word terms on individual index cards--one set per student or group.
During Activity
Model an example with other words that the students know.
Pass out cards to students and instruct them to order them in a way that makes the most sense.
Allow students to share their work and engage in collaborative discussion.
Instruct students to fill in words or phrases to create sentences and a context. Students should pair with a peer and talk through each sentence, comparing their application.
Gather students back together and talk through the word cards and different ways they can make sentences.
Evidence of Success
Students are adding the “mortar” terms and phrases independently or in groups.
Students demonstrate flexibility with their thinking and shift the words as necessary.
Examples of Building with Bricks and Mortar
Examples of Building with Bricks and Mortar
9-12 History and Social Studies Example
9-12 History and Social Studies Example
Content Objective
Students will summarize the message behind the Federalist 10 paper.
Language Objective
Students will write about and discuss the words and phrases used in the Federalist 10 paper.
Activity Directions
Teacher will assign students a section of Madison’s
“Federalist 10.”
In order to find the “brick” terms, students will create a Wordle from their section.
After students find the “brick” terms, they will write them on an index card, putting the word on the front and definition on the back.
Students will then teach their terms to a partner. After they learn their new “brick” terms, students will write sentences and share with their partner.
The teacher will ask certain students to present their sentences for the class.
3-5 Math Example
3-5 Math Example
Content Objective
Students will write and solve multiplication or division word problems using math vocabulary.
Language Objective
Students will develop writing skills and academic language by writing math word problems.
Activity Directions
Teacher will review the words multiply, times, divided, split, groups, equal, and then students will create them as “brick” cards.
Teacher will pass out pictures of math story problems with arrays or equal grouping.
Students will take turns orally describing the picture and deciding what vocabulary words to use in their problem.
Students will select bricks to use in their sentence (ex. split, groups, equal, is ).
Students will generate “mortar” words to fill in the rest (ex. what, is, twenty, in, bananas, four).
Students will record their math word problems (ex. What is twenty bananas split in four equal groups?).
Students will share and solve their math story problem with a partner or the class.
Students will use a different photo and generate another problem using the key vocabulary (ex. Six baseball cards in seven equal groups is how many?)
Building with Bricks and Mortar Resources
Building with Bricks and Mortar Resources
Building with Bricks and Mortar Directions.pdfCard Template.docxGave it a try? Great! Tell us how it went and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize! You can also share any photos of your implementation of this month's strategy with jamie_cook@charleston.k12.sc.us
Gave it a try? Great! Tell us how it went and be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a prize! You can also share any photos of your implementation of this month's strategy with jamie_cook@charleston.k12.sc.us
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