1. Building Vocabulary
Chapter 3
Vocabulary Instruction

2. Introduction
Every lesson is a language lesson regardless
of the content. Academic outcomes are hugely
influenced by whether language is taught
arbitrarily or with intent. The purpose of this
chapter is to discuss components and methods
of vocabulary instruction.

3. Objectives
 Participants will demonstrate understanding of the
six Marzano components of vocabulary instruction.
 Participants will demonstrate understanding of a
seven-step method of vocabulary instruction.
 Participants will design a vocabulary lesson.

4. Marzano Components

5. Components of Vocabulary Instruction
- Marzano
 Teacher gives a description, explanation, or
example (with nonlinguistic representation)
 Students restate the description, example, or
explanation in their own words
 Students construct their own nonlinguistic
representation
 Students participate in activities that help build their
knowledge of the word
 Students discuss the terms with each other
 Students participate in games that let them play with
the word

6. Examples of Activities
 Analogies
 Highlighting prefixes and suffixes
 Identify synonyms and antonyms
 Metaphors
 Venn diagrams or other organizers
 Revise their own definitions as their
understanding increases

7. Examples of Discussion Activities
 Compare descriptions or definitions with a
partner
 Describe pictures to a partner or within a
small group
 Construct example situations with a partner

8. Examples of Games
 “Pictionary”
 Charades
 Matching synonyms or antonyms
 Name that category
 Draw me
 Talk a mile a minute

9. A Seven-Step Lesson

10. The following is a method for initial direct
instruction when first introducing a word. It is
only ONE part of a system of vocabulary
instruction. Word play activities, exercises, and
games should be added to create a complete
vocabulary learning experience.

11. Teaching Vocabulary
 Pick a Tier 2 word relevant to literature you’re
currently reading, or a current content-related
Tier 2 word.
 Direct the students to rate their own
knowledge of the word before and after the
lesson.
 Remember, students can adjust their rating
over time as their understanding increases.
 Say the word A LOT during the lesson!

12. Word Knowledge Rating Scales
– Younger students could use Happy face/Straight
face/Sad face picture choices
– Older students could use number rankings
(1-3, 1-5, 1-10)

13. Seven Steps
1. Introduce the word
2. Student-friendly definition
3. Content-specific definition
4. Use the word in other contexts
5. Guiding questions & sentence starters
6. Short-answer questions
7. Repeat the word
(ELLA)

14. Seven-Step Lesson
Structure & Progression

15. Examples
Before continuing, open the following
documents, print them, and use them as you
follow along during the next several slides.
Example Lesson Plan
Example Organizer – Student Edition
Example Organizer – Teacher Edition

16. Vocabulary Lesson – 1
equivalent Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
 Introduce the word
Forms of the word and synonyms:
After 1 2 3 4
- - say the word General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
equivalency alike
and students echo; the same or have equal value.
equal comparable
write the word and Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
students write the The word used in other contexts:
What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
word; clap syllables When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
An example of two things that are equivalent is….
(if appropriate). salary equivalent to her current salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing.
 Direct the students Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
to rank their current
Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
understanding of •3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
the word (“before”). •50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
•Ffff
•Fff
•

17. Vocabulary Lesson – 2 & 3
 Provide a student equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
After 1 2 3 4
friendly definition Forms of the word and synonyms:
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
verbally and in the same or have equal value.
equivalency alike
writing; have equal comparable
students “cloze” Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
write and echo the the same value.
The word used in other contexts:
What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
definition. An example of two things that are equivalent is….
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
 Explain the salary equivalent to her current salary.
meaning more fully When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
in the context of the that’s equivalent to stealing.
text or concept. Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
 As age-appropriate, •3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
provide parts of •50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
speech and forms •Ffff
•Fff
of the word, and a •
few synonyms and/
or antonyms.

18. Vocabulary Lesson - 4
equivalent Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
 Provide
Forms of the word and synonyms:
After 1 2 3 4
sentences in General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
equivalency alike
which the word is basically the same or have equal value.
equal comparable
used in other Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
the same value.
contexts. The word used in other contexts: What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
An example of two things that are equivalent is….
When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
 Students “cloze” When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
write and then that’s equivalent to stealing.
echo the Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
sentences. Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
•3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
•50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
•Ffff
•Fff
•

19. Vocabulary Lesson – 5 (ab)
 Ask students to equivalent
Word knowledge rating
4
Before 1 2 3
After 1 2 3 4
Think-Pair-Share- Forms of the word and synonyms:
Write, using a General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
basically the same or have equal value.
equivalency alike
sentence starter, equal comparable
Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that
about an example represent the same value.
The word used in other contexts: What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
or situation in
An example of two things that are equivalent is….
which the word When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
would be used.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return
it, that’s equivalent to stealing.
Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
 Circulate to monitor
Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
discussions and to •3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
ensure students •50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
are using the word •Ffff
•Fff
•
verbally.

20. Vocabulary Lesson – 5 (cd)
equivalent Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3
 Provide two or three 4
non-examples and General definition: When things are equivalent, they are
Forms of the word and synonyms: After 1 2 3 4
have the students basically the same or have equal value.
equivalency alike
make note of them. Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that
equal comparable
 Ask students to represent the same value.
The word used in other contexts: What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
Think-Pair-Share-
An example of two things that are equivalent is….
Write, using a When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a
salary equivalent to her current salary.
sentence starter,
about a non-example When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it,
that’s equivalent to stealing.
of the word or a
Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
situation that does
Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
not represent the
•3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
word. •50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
 Circulate to monitor •Ffff
•Fff
discussions and to •
ensure students are
using the word
verbally.

21. Vocabulary Lesson - 6
EQUIVALENT
 Ask short answer (yes/no) 8th grade math
questions to hone 1. Introduce the word (speak, write, choral read, echo read, clap syllables, etc.)
2. Student-friendly definition
understanding – Formative When things are equivalent, they are basically the same or of equal value.
assessment! 3. Content-specific definition
Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same value.
4. Use the word other contexts (can include pictures, movement, etc.)
 Students can signal using When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with an equivalent salary.
When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it, that’s equivalent to
thumbs up/thumbs down or stealing.
Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
a signal card. 5. Guiding questions and sentence starters (provide think time)
A.) What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
B.) “An example of two things that are equivalent is ….”
 Address misconceptions or
misunderstandings (Non-examples: ¾ and ½; 50 minutes and 1 hour)
C.) What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
individually or with a small D.) “An example of two things that are not equivalent is …”
group when the lesson is
over. 6. Short-answer questions (formative assessment)
Are these things equivalent? (yes or no)
o ½ dozen eggs and 6 eggs
o 1 quarter and 3 dimes
7. Repeat the word (choral read, echo read, etc.)

22. Vocabulary Lesson - 7
 Echo read or choral equivalent
Word knowledge rating Before 1 2 3 4
After 1 2 3 4
read the word. Forms of the word and synonyms:
General definition: When things are equivalent, they are basically
 Direct the students to the same or have equal value.
equivalency
equal
alike
comparable
rank their current Math definition: Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent
understanding of the the same value.
The word used in other contexts:
What is an example of two things that are equivalent?
word (“after”). When she looked for a new job, she wanted to find one with a salary
An example of two things that are equivalent is….
 Direct students to equivalent to her current salary.
create their own non- When someone borrows something and then doesn’t return it, that’s
linguistic
equivalent to stealing.
Two five dollar bills are equivalent to 1 ten dollar bill.
representation of the
Non-examples: What is an example of two things that are not equivalent?
word and to write and/ •3/4 and 1/2 An example of two things that are not equivalent is…
or say a definition in •50 minutes and 1 hour
•Fff
their own words (can •Ffff
•Fff
•
use the back of the
organizer).

23. Your Turn!

24. Your turn to practice!
Open the following planning templates before
continuing.
Blank Lesson Plan Template
Blank Organizer Template

25. Tier 2 Word Review
 Importance and utility, instructional potential,
conceptual understanding
 Is the word relevant to a current topic, concept, or
work of literature in your classroom?
– Is the word presenting itself naturally?
 Is the word important to the current topic?
 Does the word have leverage and usefulness?
– Can the word be used in other contexts?
 Will studying this word help students develop their
overall language skills?

26. Your turn to practice!
 Choose a grade level
 Choose a content area GLE
 Choose a related Tier 2 word
 Follow the template to create a lesson
 Refer to the examples to help you
SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING:
– Lesson plan
– Organizer (Teacher Edition)
– Organizer (Student Edition)

27. Summary
 Six Marzano components for vocabulary instruction
include: teacher description, students restate in their
own words, non-linguistic representation, activities,
discussions, and games.
 A seven-step lesson includes: an introduction, a
student-friendly definition, a content-specific
definition, examples of the word in other contexts,
guiding questions and sentence starters, short-
answer questions, and a repetition of the word.

28. Further Readings
 Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The
by Echevarria, Vogt, and Short
 Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction
by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan
 Building Academic Vocabulary by Marzano and
Pickering
 English Learners and Language Acceleration (WestEd)
 Academic Word List
http
://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist/subli