Vocabulary Strategy Demonstration #2

ACADEMIC WORD WALL

Kristy Staples

December 2014

How and Why Vocabulary

Development is Important

EDU 742

Word associating allows

the reader to form a word-net
framework to make
connections and determine
word relationships.
(Ellery & Rosenboom,
2001, pg 79.)

Why Focus on Vocabulary Strategies ?

As students enter middle and secondary schools,

the academic language in their content area classes
become more difficult. Its important for students
to understand vocabulary if they are to make
connections to the content as they read. Creative
strategies, especially those that involve visuals, are
extremely helpful to use when helping students
improve their content vocabulary. Ellery &
Rosenboom, 2011

CONNECTION TO LITERACY

Expressive (speaking and writing)

Receptive (listening and reading)
Technical (content area related)
As students gain a bigger vocabulary, their
ability to use the words will improve the three
above areas. Ellery & Rosenboom, 2011

VOCABULARYSTRATEGY: ASSOCIATING

One important vocabulary strategy is word

associating. This strategy is important because it
allows the students to create a word network
framework. This framework allows for connections
and word relationships to be made from one word
to the next. Students must bring these content
words together and categorize them so that they
then can make connections to prior knowledge.
Ellery & Rosenboom, 2011

The above picture is a typical word wall seen in most

classrooms. The important vocabulary words are listed for
students to see. The issue with these types of word walls is that
they do not provide information about the word so that
students could figure out the meaning. A more detailed
academic word wall could provide more information about
each word.

Kristy Staples- Strategy Demonstration #2- EDU 742- December 2014

ACADEMIC WORD WALL CONTINUED

EXAMPLE OF ONE VOCABULARY CARD ON AN ACADEMIC WORD WALL:

CARBOHYDRATES:

Definition: The Starches and Sugars found in food.

Found in grains, soda, potatoes, cookies & corn.

Bodys main source of energy
Whole wheat products are a great source
Contain Fiber
Simple Vs Complex Carbs

HOW TO USE ACADEMIC WORD WALLS

IN ANY CLASSROOM:
Academic word walls are a strategy that can
be used anytime throughout a unit. The
teacher will begin the unit by selecting key
concepts from the unit. These concepts can
be vocabulary words or important events or
ideas. Students will then be put into groups
and assigned one word. Within the one word,
each group will use the textbook and any
other resources the teacher offers (such as the
internet) to find as much information about
the word that will help them explain the
definition or meaning to the rest of the class.
Students should include a definition as well
as other associating words that help define
the term.
Once the research has been completed,
groups will create a picture poster to visually
display their information. The poster may
include pictures to help define the word.
After posters are completed, groups will
present their findings. Discussions will occur
as each group presents. These posters will
then be hung up for use in future lessons or
readings. These word walls are great because
they can be used at the beginning, middle or
end of a lesson/unit.

EXAMPLE OF HOW TO USE AN

ACADEMIC WORD WALL IN A 9TH
GRADE HEALTH CLASSNUTRITION UNIT
1.)Key Concepts Selected: Nutrition,
Hunger, Appetite, Carbohydrates,
Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals
2.) Students are put into groups
3.) Students use the textbook and online
resources such as choosemyplate.gov to find
the definition and other information about
their assigned vocabulary word.
4.) Then each group creates a picture
poster with the definition of the nutrition
related word. They can add other pictures or
details which will allow the vocabulary word
to be defined, in detail.
5.) Each group will present their findings
to the class. Discussions will occur as
presentations are completed.
6.) Each poster will remain hung up for
students to refer back to throughout the unit.
(as seen on the first page of this poster)

Possessing and using a

powerful vocabulary
helps us better
understand others, be
better understood by
others, and enjoy the
richness of the English
language.. (Ellery &
Rosenboom, 2011, pg 78.)

Vocabulary is the glue

that holds stories, ideas
and content
together...making
comprehension
accessible for children.
http://www.slideshare.net/
suartini/teachingvocabulary-8361287
REFERENCES: Ellery, V., &
Rosenboom, J. (2011).
Sustaining strategic readers
techniques for supporting
content literacy in grades
6-12 (p.79-87). Newark, DE:
International Reading
Association.

Kristy Staples- Strategy Demonstration #2- EDU 742- December 2014