6 Step Process to Teach Academic Vocabulary

Lincoln Elementary January 18, 2009

BAV Steps

• The first three steps are the initial teaching of the word.

• The Second three steps are for reinforcing the word.

Step One

Teacher presents the term in “student friendly” language:

• Describe the term• Explain the term• Give an example of the term

Introducing New Words

• Almost always introduce only one new word in a lesson.

• How many words you introduce in a week is a professional teacher decision.

Teacher Tip for Step 1

• Create and deliver student friendly descriptions and/or explanations with multiple examples, both verbal and visual.

Step Two

Students restate term in their own words:• Rely on background knowledge and

experience• Use description, example, explanation of their

own• Form links between new term and those

already known

Teacher Tip #2

• Monitor accuracy of student writing.

• Accept definitions that are only partially correct to be revisited later in the process.

• Use questions/prompts to promote student thinking without providing the “answer”.

• Do not provide a written definition

Step ThreeStudents represent term using a graphic,

picture, or pictographic form:• Allows processing of information in new

modality• Provides second processing of the information

to reinforce and deepen meaning

Teacher Tip #3

• Some students will say, “I can’t draw.” Model, model, model and encourage students.

• Check accuracy of illustration.

• Students can use any visual representation.

After Step #3

• Students rate their current level of understanding of the word.

Tracking Progress

√+ I understand even more about the term than I have been taught.

√ I understand the term and am not confused about its meaning or usage.

√- I’m not sure I understand the term, but I have some idea as to its meaning.

X I really don’t understand the term at all

Step Four

Students use the term in other contexts to build a deeper meaning

• An academic vocabulary notebook encourages students to write their continuing impressions and understandings of the word

• Encourage students to use the new term in writings and conversation to make term familiar to student

Teacher Tip #4

• Create and determine the activity. • Balance paper/pencil and hands-on activities.• Use various student groupings (pairs, small

groups, whole class, individual).• Variety is important!

Step Five

Students discuss the term with peers - adding to their understanding of the term:

• Students can write about their understanding in the academic vocabulary notebook

• Discuss with class understandings of the term and note what class members have discovered about the word

Teacher Tip #5

• Provide a context for the discussions.• Model initially the thinking process involved

in discussions.• Monitor discussions ensuring everyone

participates.• Add information to vocabulary sheets.

Step Six

Vocabulary games give students more exposure to the term:

• Various games will provide further exposure to the new term

• Students will gain a deeper integration of the word by its continued review

Teacher Tip #6

• Provide initial development of games

• Never use vocabulary in the game format prior to the other steps!

• Add information to vocabulary notebooks

• Effective classroom management is essential to this step.

Student Notebook

• Use notebook from one year to the next

• Select terms from 4 or 5 subject areas

• Record subject area in border

• Color-code pages

• Alphabetize

• Organize by subject area, unit, theme, or topic

Student Notebook

• Use a two-column format for terms and phrases.

• Provide room for student initial descriptions and explanations.

• Leave space for student graphic representations.

• Leave space for additional comments and future revisions.