LSN
“Enrichment beyond the classroom”
Literacy
Strategy
Notebook
Teaching Connotation and Denotation
The first important thing to keep in mind while teaching or introducing new vocabulary in the classroom is offering students both the dictionary meaning of a word and its contextual meaning. For example, provide students with the exact definition they should be looking for on a straight forward test, but also give them opportunity to understand how the term or concept fits into the overall unit or lesson. A great literacy based strategy for teaching connotation and denotation is the Vocabulary Tree. This strategy focuses on students making connections and if properly placed during a unit, students can make countless connections among vocabulary terms as well as connections to their lives. When students understand a term's connotation and denotation, they will more likely be able to define the term in their own words, use the term in their writing, and be able to understand other concepts and terms by using contextual clues. The literacy based strategy will serve as excellent way for students to practice these techniques.
Making Time for Introduction and Review
One of the biggest mistakes teachers make when attempting to incorporate effective vocabulary methods in their classrooms is leaving out actual class time for introducing vocabulary words and review time. It is absolutely vital that time is taken away from content instruction to enrich vocabulary understanding. By doing so, students will better comprehend the content being taught. In other words, teaching vocabulary is not a waste of time. It is beneficial and necessary for student understanding. In order to incorporate this into the classroom, plan entire lessons focused on introducing vocabulary, do not simply make it the student's responsibility to learn the terms for homework or expect them to know the words from their readings. In addition, allow time for review of vocabulary throughout the unit, even have a whole day for vocabulary review. A great hook strategy for reviewing vocabulary is the Interview a Word exercise. This review activity is great for getting students moving and reviewing terms.
Incorporating Vocabulary Terms into Instruction
Another key aspect of teaching vocabulary is the actual use of the terms within instruction. When students hear that they are expected to know a long list of vocabulary terms, but never once hear the terms used in class, they do not care about comprehending the concepts at all because they feel as though it isn't important. To counteract this from happening, teachers must use vocabulary terms on a daily basis. This includes throwing in vocabulary terms from previous units. Students need to build on their learning, not forget about concepts once the unit is over. There are plenty of ways to add vocabulary to instruction. The first way is through lecture, simply using key terms during lecture helps students better understand their meaning. Another way of practicing good vocabulary teaching methods is by using literacy based strategies for comprehension that also review vocabulary. A prime example of this would be the ABC Brainstorming technique which combines both comprehension of content and knowledge of vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Here are a few guidelines for teaching vocabulary in the classroom as well as some literacy based strategy examples to go along with each point. For additional resources, check out the resources section of the website or click here.
Keeping the List Short and Effective
A final thing for teachers to think about when adding vocabulary instruction into their classrooms is the length of vocabulary lists or the number of key terms, concepts, people, or events that they would like their students to focus on. Sticking with the most important terms is a general rule while creating vocabulary lists for students. When lists are lengthy or overcrowded with terms students never use, already understand, or don't clearly relate to the unit, students ignore the need for learning these terms. This harms their understanding of content. To avoid this from happening, offer students a set amount of terms each unit, lesson, or week. Having a vocabulary wall that is added to weekly is also a good idea. Words of the week also help students keep track of their vocabulary learning.
Avoiding Ineffective Methods
Here is a short list of things NOT to do while trying to incorporate vocabulary learning in your classroom:
- do NOT give students a list of vocabulary terms and never refer to them until the time of the test
- do NOT offer students the dictionary meaning of a word and leave out the term's contextual meaning
- do NOT have vocabulary lists that are too long, the number of terms should depend on the goals of the unit
- do NOT only assign vocabulary as homework and never incorporate vocabulary into class activities or discussion
- do NOT use ineffective vocabulary strategies such as word searches