Developing Vocabulary
![]() Here are 2 vocabulary expansion strategies that I use often. I picked up the first from student teaching & the latter in MGRE 5102 Reading & Writing in the Middle Grades respectively.
Figure 1 The Frayer model. In this five-box graphic organizer, students write a word in the middle box; and in the other four boxes, they define the word, give characteristics, and list examples and nonexamples. This is also a great strategy for younger students since pictures can be drawn in the boxes. Figure 2 shows a diagram based on the Frayer model. Figure 2 Semantic feature analysis. Another strategy for learning vocabulary is semantic feature analysis. Students fill out a grid to help them compare a term with other terms that fall in the same category. When the grid is completed, students have a visual reminder of how certain terms relate to each other. Figure 3 offers an example using the term polygons. |
I personally like to teach the roots, prefixes, and suffices of vocabulary common to science. I have been exposed to science this way since 7th grade at least. I know that understanding word parts helps students grasp concepts.
ELLs, I am discovering, need more help especially at levels 1 - 3 (WIDA). Vocabulary development is critical to their second language acquisition. Therefore I am adjusting and teaching 3 tiers of vocabulary as suggested by !Colorin Colorado! They are: Tier 1 Words & Phrases:
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