Vocabulary Strategies That Can Be Used in Content Areas

Logographic Cues
Logographic Cues
Rationale: This activity is designed to increase students’ understandings of key vocabulary words.

Materials Needed: note-cards, writing utensils

Procedure: 
1)   Provide students with vocabulary words you want them to learn.

2)   Provide students with note-cards. They should receive one note-card for each of their   vocabulary words.

3)   On one side of the note-card students should write the vocabulary word.

4)   On the other side of the note-card students should write the definition and create a logograph or picture that reveals the meaning of the vocabulary word.

5)   This process should be repeated with all of the vocabulary words that you want them to learn.

Vocabulary Tree
Vocabulary Tree
Rationale: This activity is designed to increase students’ understandings of different words with common roots.

Materials Needed: pencil, paper, tree handout (optional)

Procedure:

1)   Have students draw a tree or provide them with a handout of a tree.

2)   Provide students with a root word you want them to learn.

3)   The root word and the definition of the root word should be written in the bottom of the tree trunk.

4)   Provide students with a key word that uses that root word in the top of the tree trunk.

5)   Provide a definition of the key word directly below it.

6)   Write the words and definitions of words that use that common root in the branches of the tree.

Reference:
Beers, K. (2003). When kids can’t read: What teachers can do.              or  is is a Portsmouth: Heinemann. 

Other Suggestions:
 1)   Constantly review key vocabulary words.

2)   Have students create a song, dance, or skit to help them remember key words.

3)   When applicable, provide hands-on experiences to help students understand the meanings of words.