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An extended definition paragraph is an “extend” strategy that encourages students to stretch their understanding of key concepts beyond the text itself. For this activity, students select an abstract concept from the text to be defined in greater detail. The explanation of the concept should include ways to define it, connections to the larger content, and personal connections to the word. The term should be directly related to the academic task or learning objectives for the unit.
PREPARATION:
Identify one or two abstract concepts from the text and plan reading strategies to support investigating this term throughout the text.
Preview the questions in the Resource above, Extended Definition Paragraph: Guiding Questions.
Decide which questions to use as a means of guiding students as they write their extended definition paragraphs.
STEPS
INTRODUCE KEY VOCAB: Introduce students to the key concepts you have identified.
CREATE A CONCEPT MAP: Using the educator-selected guiding questions and a key concept, students create a concept map as a brainstorming strategy to collect their thoughts around the definition and use of the term.
WRITE A PARAGRAPH USING QUESTIONS: Ask students to write a paragraph that addresses the designated guiding questions.
EXTENSION:
If students are reading multiple texts during a unit, the extended
definition paragraphs can be edited and reused as the foundation for a
larger essay on the major themes of the unit.
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