Robert Marzano’s Six Steps for Learning Academic Vocabulary
1. Give a description, explanation, or example of the new term.
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Provide learner’s information about the term.
Determine what the learner already knows about the term.
Ask learners to share what they know as a means of monitoring misconceptions.
Ask learners to share what they already know to use this knowledge as a foundation for more
learning.
Utilize examples, descriptions, but not definitions. Definitions are NOT a recommended method for
vocabulary instruction as they do not provide learners an informal, natural way to learn new words.
Instruct learning of proper noun terms through identifying characteristics of the proper noun.
2. Ask the learner to give a description, explanation, or example of the new term in his/her own words.
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Remind learners to no copy, but use their own words.
Monitor students to determine if any confusion exists.
Provide more descriptions, explanations, or examples if needed.
Ask students to record new terms in a Vocabulary Notebook.
3. Ask the learner to draw a picture, symbol, or locate a graphic to represent the new term.
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Provide learners with a nonlinguistic method of mastering vocabulary.
Share examples of other learners’ drawings or allow students to work in teams to help those who
complain that they cannot draw.
Teach the concept of “speed drawing” for those who take too long.
Ask learners to share their work.
Have students find graphics from magazines or the Internet. 9
4. Have the learner participate in activities that provide deeper knowledge of their word in their Vocabulary
Notebooks.
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Remind learners not to copy definitions but to rephrase meanings into their own words.
Encourage learners to identify prefixes, suffixes, latin and greek roots, antonyms and synonyms.
If English is a second language, have them write in a translation of the word in his or her native
language.
5. Have the learner discuss the term with others.
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THINK: Allow time for learners to explore and review their descriptions, images and information
about a new word.
PAIR: Put learners in pairs to discuss their information.
SHARE: Allow groups to share aloud their information.
6. Provide games that provide reinforcement and make learning words fun.
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Use games such as Password, Jeopardy, Million Dollar Pyramid, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud
in Powerpoint, Puzzlemaker, and social networking games such as Twirl on Facebook or sng.com.