ESL
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Academic Vocabulary
Content vocabulary is crucial to English Language Learners. School is the only place they will ever come in contact with these words, so we need to make them stick! Here are 6 steps to help your students remember and use those content specific words.
Step 1 - Teacher introduces the term with a description, explanation, or example
Step 2 - Students restate the description, explanation or example in their own words.
Step 3 - Students construct a picture, symbol, or graphic representing the term.
Step 4 - Teacher engages students in activities that help them add to their knowledge of the term.
Step 5 - Students discuss the terms with each other periodically.
Step 6 - Students play games with the terms periodically.
Vocabulary Notebook page sample
Here is a sample format for recording content vocabulary in a notebook.
Shortcut
Here is a short version of the 6 steps for building academic vocabulary. # 6 is Games. It wouldn't fit in the box!
Monitor the Students' Understanding
Make sure that when the students are restating the definition in their own words, and drawing the term, that their understanding is accurate. It is hard to undo mistakes that have been practiced.
Game of the Week!
What is the Question?
Make a jeopardy type grid with content areas across the top and point values down the side. Each box has a vocabulary word that matches its content column. Cover all the words with post-it notes (or make this a Smart Board activity!) The teacher removes a post-it and the student must ask a question to which the uncovered word is the answer. For example, if the word were "earthquake", acceptable student responses might be "What is measured by the Richter scale?" or "Why are people in California worried about the San Andreas Fault?". Teams may answer cooperatively or one member at a time to earn points for the correct question. Older students can make this game and switch it with other teams.