Explicit Vocabulary Instruction Routine

1. Explicit Vocabulary Instruction Routine Based on Anita Archer and Kate Kinsella Lisa Msuya IMS July 2010

2. Active participation • Must get all students engaged • Students cannot read what they cannot say • Partnering is useful in vocabulary instruction • Gain confidence and feel safe before sharing • More kids participating • Precision Partnering – Teacher assigns partners based on skills/needs

3. Present word in writing • Always write vital information on board, overhead or computer so students can copy • Avoids only relying on auditory processing • Student writes on student copy

4. Pronounce • Engage all students in saying the word two or three times. • Point out the word parts, prefixes, suffixes • “One of the words used in comprehension questions is reinforce. Please say the word with me everyone: “reinforce.” Good, let’s pronounce it by syllables: “re in force” Re is a common prefix. It means again. Say it again please, “reinforce” Excellent!

5. Explain • Explain the meaning of the word with • Synonyms • Student friendly definition without using even more sophisticated words

6. Student Friendly definitions • Use words that students already know • Are easy to understand • Defined the way it is typically used (not every way) I used Longman Dictionary of American English for examples and student friendly definitions.

7. Provide examples • Students need two to three examples to grasp meaning • Visual representations or "showing” sentence

8. Visual representation The sign the elf is holding reinforces that he is not working.

9. Elaborate/practice • Students are given opportunities to generate their own additional examples and/or visual representations “How does your READ teacher reinforce the learning that takes place in your core classes? My read teacher reinforces my other classes by __________________.” After completing on own, students read questions and answer to each other.

10. Assess • Possibly as a ticket out activity • Examples • Ask an open ended question • What do your friends say to reinforce their opinions about their favorite music? • Write a sentence using the newly learned word. • Complete a sentence • Yes-No-Why

11. Yes-no-why Decide whether the following sentences make sense, paying attention to the underlined words. If the sentence makes sense, write YES in the space to the left, then explain way it is logical. If the sentence does not make sense, write NO and explain why. “The student’s hard work reinforces the teacher’s opinion that he will get a good grade.”

12. Let’s see it in action! • http://pubs.cde.ca.gov/tcsii/ap/videos.aspx