Learning Academic Vocabulary Robert Marzano’s Six-Step Vocabulary Instruction Process

Step 1 The teacher provides a description, explanation, or example of the new term. polder

Student writes vocabulary word and circles degree of understanding.

Step 2 Students restate the explanation of the new term/vocabulary in their own words.

Examples of Student Work

Step 3 Students create a non-linguistic representation of the term.

Step 4 Students participate in activities that help them add to their knowledge.  Highlight a prefix or suffix that will help them remember the meaning of a word. Examples:  hydroelectric power  Mesopotamia  Subsistence agriculture  Democracy, autocracy, oligarchy

Step 4 continued)  List related words

Step 5 Students are asked to discuss terms with one another. Think-Pair-Share THINK: Students review their own descriptions individually and quietly. PAIR: Organize the students in pairs within their groups and ask them to discuss their descriptions and pictures of the terms with their partners. SHARE: Students share with the class any new insights.

Step 6 Students are involved in games that allow them to “play” with new terms. Name That Term Teacher calls out clues about the new vocabulary term. Students in each group collaborate to come up with the correct answer. One student from each group writes the answer on a small white board and holds it up for the teacher to see. First group to answer correctly wins. Each member of the group takes turns being the scribe.