Vocabulary Instruction What works and what doesn’t

Robert J. Marzano Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement, Research on What Works in Schools

WHAT DOESN’T WORK. Copying definitions Writing sentences using the new terms Telling students to use context clues Memorizing lists of definitions

Characteristics of Effective Direct Vocabulary Instruction Characteristic 1: Doesn’t rely on just definitions. Characteristic 2: Uses linguistic and nonlinguistic approaches Characteristic 3: Requires multiple approaches Characteristic 4: Includes teaching word parts Characteristic 5: Relies on different types of instruction Characteristic 6: Emphasizes discussions Characteristic 7: Involves playing with words Characteristic 8: Should focus on high probability vocabulary terms

Vocabulary Strategies

Concept of Definition Map Concept Comparison Examples Properties Category p. 197 © 2007 ® What is it ? What is it like?

Concept of Definition Map Music Jazz Forum to address social and political issues Usually not improvised Started in the 1950s Chuck BerryMick JaggerElvis Presley Rock and Roll Comparison Examples of R & R musicians What is it like? Properties What is it ? Category p. 197 © 2007 ®

Frayer Model Helps elaborate on word meaning. Organizes information about a concept into four areas: –Essential Characteristics –Non-essential Characteristics –Examples –Non-examples p. 209 © 2007 ®

Frayer Model Essential Characteristics Non-Essential Characteristics Examples Non- Examples Term p. 209 © 2007 ®

Frayer Model Essential Characteristics set of pages with protective cover printed or written literary work no advertisements other than by publisher Non-Essential Characteristics whether the words are prose or poetry color of cover color, size, or font of words Examples textbook novel Bible diary Non-Examples magazine flyer postcard Book p. 209 © 2007 ®

Vocabulary Map p. 204 Term or Concept Definition Synonym Sentence Picture © 2007 ®

Vocabulary Map Modified Example p. 204 Parallel IS untouching equidistant IS NOT intersecting SENTENCE A car driving through sand or snow leaves a set of parallel tracks. PICTURE Parael © 2007 ®

Now Try Using One of These Strategies with a Vocabulary Term from Your Content Area