30 Academic Vocabulary Words
In our classrooms we work with a wide variety of students. No matter the grade or content we teach, it is important to work with all students to gain understanding of academic language. This school year I am asking teachers to select a list of 30 vocabulary words per content area. The work on this list is well underway. You might be wondering why would Seymour even want to do this?
First let's look at the findings:
Vocabulary is among the greatest predictors of reading comprehension, and reading comprehension is central to learning in the content areas. (Baker, Simmons, and Kameenui) (Fisher & Frey)
Students need to know 96% or more of the words within any given text/passage to comprehend its message. (Robb)
"Robert Marzano tells us that advanced students need about 4 exposures to a word to own it, basic students need about fourteen to master a word, and struggling students need at least forty, better known as the 4-14-40 Approach. That said, it quickly becomes apparent for the classroom teacher that not all terms can be given the same amount of attention. This is the reason for "core academic vocabulary.” Teachers need to identify the 30 most essential terms within each academic subject for their grade level. They need to determine which words are worth 14-40 exposures. These won't necessarily be the "bold words" in the chapter. Rather these are the terms that come up all year long and give students the best chance of academic success."
...taken from the work of Robert Marzano and Kristina Smekens
Robert Marzano's name is highlighted above so you can click on it to visit a Smeken's site with more information about developing academic vocabulary. This site has some advice on how to select the 30 words for your grade/content. I will expect these lists to be completed and submitted to me by the end of this school year.
This summer I plan to offer training sessions on best practices to teach academic vocabulary. I will focus the training on six interactive strategies. Those strategies are:
1. Explain: Students need to hear an informal definition of a term presented in a kid friendly way.
2. Restate: Students demonstrate understanding when they can restate the meaning in their own words.
3. Show: Student understanding deepens when they can accurately show meaning using abstract tools.
4. Develop: Students develop a deeper understanding when their knowledge broadens to include various uses and applications of the word.
5. Refine: Interactions all students to express their thinking, appreciate different perspectives, and refine understanding.
6. Play: Fast-paced activities help move recall from deliberate to automatic
As you work with students to gain those 14-10 exposures to a vocabulary word, I suggest you take a look at adding a vocabulary notebook to your teaching tool bag. A vocabulary notebook can take any form. You can use a totally separate notebook or you might use a digital file. Smekens Site provides some ideas on how to maintain vocabulary notebooks. Check it out!
We are "thankful" you are part of our team! Have a great Turkey Day!
