What?
Meet New Vocabulary uses a graphic organizer to help students acquire new vocabulary while reading. This strategy is most effective when teaching challenging, domain-specific words (Tier Three).
When?
During or after reading
Why?
This strategy makes students responsible for their learning and provides intrinsic motivation for learning new words in a meaningful, independent context.
How?
- Select a short passage from the central text.
- Choose your vocabulary words.
- Project a blank Meet New Vocabulary graphic organizer.
- Read aloud from the central text and stop at a selected Tier Two or Tier Three vocabulary word
- Model using the graphic organizer by:
- Writing the word
- Determining the meaning of the word using a range of strategies including context clues, affixes and roots, and reference materials
- Drawing a symbol to represent the word
- Writing a sentence using the word
- Conferring with students about the definition
- Reaching a consensus on definition
- Analyzing how the word changes or shapes the meaning or tone of the text
- Writing the word in a sentence correctly
- Instruct students to practice the strategy by reading with a partner, stopping at a selected Tier Two or Tier Three vocabulary word and completing the graphic organizer together. Scaffold students by guiding this practice.
- Provide time for students to practice the strategy independently or in small groups.
English language learners
Discussing definitions as a class meets the needs of English language learners by asking them to articulate their thoughts and listen carefully to others.
Connection to anti-bias education
Meet New Vocabulary reinforces the abilities to self-monitor, discuss, listen, appreciate and understand that people learn vocabulary differently. This strategy also fosters collaboration between learners.
