VOCABULARY STRATEGIES From Kim Huegerich, South Hamilton Community Schools, Jewell, Iowa
1. Definition Frame
A vocabulary word that they are going to categorize in order to better understand its meaning. For example:
What is a farm?
Kinds of farms
Tools
Animals
Products
Size
2. Vocabulary Overview Guide
category
Vocabulary word
Mnemonic device
possible
picture
????
Student meaning/definition
verbs
aprender
apprentice
to learn
3. Context Clue Chart
If you choose to use a chart like this to help students with the vocabulary, ask them to skim a selection and record unfamiliar words.
Remind them to pay attention to headings, italics, bold print, and other visual information.
Word with sentence in which it
occurs
page
Definition from context
Dictionary definition
Original sentence by
student or picture
4. Vocabulary Map
Students elaborate on concepts or ideas by recording definitions, sentences, synonyms and pictures.
Definition
synonym
Vocabulary word/concept
Sentence
picture
5.
Concept of Definition Map
What is it?
Category
What is it like?
properties
Examples
6. Word Map
List the key words and symbols
List unknown words from definitions.
WORD MAP
Personal connection: How have you heard this word or a form of this word used?
Definition
Sentence or picture that shows
understanding of the word
Non-examples/Antonyms
Examples/Synonyms
7. Frayer Model
Definition
Essential characteristics
Must haves
Examples
Concept/
Vocabulary
Characteristics
Non-essential characteristics
Might have or could have
Non-examples
8. Word Key
9. Figuring out New Words from Context.
Definition or synonym
The patient suffered from amnesia or loss of memory.
Properties or characteristic
A friend is someone you like and trust --someone who understands and helps you.
The cypress has scale-like leaves and round, woody cones
The pike lives in fresh water in the Northern Hemisphere. It has a long snout and can grow to over four feet in length.
Examples or Non-examples
Domestic animals like cats, dogs, and cows can live comfortably on a farm.
Several kinds of marsupials live in Australia, for example kangaroos, koalas, and wombats.
Squares, rectangles, and rhombuses are quadrilaterals, but triangles and circles are not.
10. Sentence and Word Expansion
Helps students elaborate on concepts or words, can help students replace “worn-out” words, and provides a process for simplifying
difficult readings. Encourage students to use more descriptive words. For example,
#1
#10
$100
Big
Huge
Gigantic
Massive
Stupendous
Nice
Friendly
Caring
Sensitive
Genuine
11. Word Combining
The purpose of this strategy is to combine 3 to 5 words into a sentence or paragraph. It expands and reinforces vocabulary knowledge.
List 3-5 somewhat related words on the board. Review the words in class discussion. Have the students summarize them into one or a
few sentences.
Vocabulary: circle, center, diameter, radius, circumference
The diameter of a circle, which is twice the length of the circle’s radius, is the distance across the circle and through its center. The
circumference, or distance around a circle, is about three times the length of the diameter and about six times the length of the radius.