Vocabulary Makeover
A Vocabulary Makeover
A Vocabulary Makeover
Vocabulary is an essential part of language development, reading comprehension, and academic achievement. It's also an important step in scaffolding a lesson.
Vocabulary is an essential part of language development, reading comprehension, and academic achievement. It's also an important step in scaffolding a lesson.
Here are some tips for moving from this old school vocabulary format to one that includes SWiRL (speaking, writing, interaction, reading, and listening), multiple exposures to the words, and a functional approach to language development.
Here are some tips for moving from this old school vocabulary format to one that includes SWiRL (speaking, writing, interaction, reading, and listening), multiple exposures to the words, and a functional approach to language development.
✴Select the most frequent, useful, and essential vocabulary words. Keep the list under 10 words.
✴ Asses background knowledge of new words.
✴Introduce the words in context with a video or short text.
✴Allow students to practice the words with a partner.
✴Provide opportunities for students to match the words with student-friendly definitions. Do not ask students to find their own definitions. (They might not select the right context.)
✴Use the Frayer model to provide images, examples, and non-examples. Consider adding L1 to the Frayer model.
✴Use games to review vocabulary. (Kahoot, Quizziz, Quizlet, and Blooklet are favorites.)
✴✴Remember that students need multiple exposures to vocabulary words.