4. Research on Vocabulary
Knowing a word means more
than knowing the definition of a
word (Scott and Nagy, 1997,
Dale and O´Rourke, 1986)
5. Research on Vocabulary
Vocabulary instruction should
provide
Rich information about words and
their uses
Frequent and varied opportunities for
student to think about and use words
Enhanced student language
comprehension and production (Beck,
McKeown, and Kucan, 2002)
6. Vocabulary Activity: Word
Sort
Organize vocabulary into groups
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4
7. Vocabulary Activity:
Word Sort
Organize vocabulary into groups
Critical Attributes
Can be open or closed (with labels
or without)
Students should justify why they
put the word where they did
(critical thinking)
8. Vocabulary Activity: Non-
linguistic representation
Picture dictionary: Create a non-linguistic
representation of each vocabulary word.
Example:
Term Image
Accomodate: To allow for; consider the
educational or emotional needs of.
9. Non-linguistic
Representation
Critical Attributes
Students must understand words
before they create a non-linguistic
representation of the word.
The quality of the drawing should
not be judged.
10. Vocabulary Activity
Vocabulary Skits
Act out the meaning of your word
without speaking.
11. Vocabulary Activity:
Think-Pair-Share
Think/ Write about your
understanding of the word.
Pair with someone to describe,
explain or compare understanding
Share your knowledge of the word by
creating a visual or dramatizing the
word in order to teach it to others.
12. Vocabulary Activity: Matching
Game
Matching activity
Find the person who has the
picture or card that corresponds
with yours.
13. Vocabulary Activity: Matching
Critical Attributes
Should be done with words that
will create some discussion
representation of the word.
Adding a picture is helpful with
lower level students.
Scaffold by cutting each pair
differently
14. Plan a Vocabulary Activity
Think of an English lesson that
introduces new vocabulary.
Choose a vocabulary strategy
discussed today.
Plan how you will use it with
that lesson.
15. Reflection
I believe...
One thing I´ve learned...
In my opinion...
I´m confused about...
I will use this...
I now know...
I think...
I wonder...
16. Resources
Allen, J. (2007). Inside Words: Tools for
Teaching Academic Vocabulary, Grades 4-12.
Portland: Stenhouse Publishers.
Beck, I. L., M. G. McKeown, and L. Kucan.
(2002). Bringing Words to Life: Robust
Vocabulary Instruction. New York: Guilford
Press.
Dale, E., and J. O’Rourke. (1986). Vocabulary
Building: A Process Approach. Columbus,
OH: Zaner-Bloser.
Scott, J. A., and W. Nagy. (1997).
“Understanding the Definitions of Unfamiliar
Verbs.” Reading Research Quarterly. 32 (2):
184: 200.