Vocabulary Programs
Teaching the meanings of important words before learning new content activates students' background knowledge and prepares them for learning and comprehending. In other words, teaching vocabulary provides the glue for new information to stick to. There are multiple vocabulary strategies such as semantic maps/Frayer Model, word/concept sorts, hexagonal thinking, and think/write/pair/share .
Effect Size = 0.63
Digital Tools to Support Vocabulary Programs
Digital Frayer Model
A Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that helps students determine or clarify the meaning of vocabulary words encountered while listening, reading, and viewing texts. It is used before reading to activate background knowledge, during reading to monitor vocabulary, or after reading to assess vocabulary. This strategy supports students’ acquisition of new words and using resource materials by providing students with a structure to examine words for their definitions, characteristics, examples, and non-examples.
There are several different digital templates of the Frayer Model.
StudyMate
StudyMate transforms terms, facts or multiple choice questions into Flash Cards, Pick A Letter, Fill in the Blank, Crosswords, and more. There are 11 self-assessments and games in all, supporting a range of learning styles and objectives. StudyMate is integrated into Canvas for all FISD courses.
Video tutorials are grouped for you in StudyMate.
The GIF below shows you where to find StudyMate, and it's video tutorials, in a Canvas Course.
Kami
Kami makes vocabulary strategies easy and fun to do digitally. It allows students and teachers to annotate on eBooks, digital images, worksheets, and more with text, audio, & video.
Canva
Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design tool. It has loads of premade, editable templates to use, or you can create your own activities, presentations, posters, videos, concept maps, logos, and more. Create your own classroom and share templates with teachers and students in Canva, or download your creation and place it in Canvas. Canva is collaborative. The website works well on student Chromebooks and there's an app for iOS and Android devices too.
