Building Academic Vocabulary

A District Initiative

Proposed by ELA Curriculum Council

What is Academic Vocabulary?

Vocabulary pertinent to the understanding of a specific discipline.

ELA, math, science, social studies

Why is Academic Vocabulary important for our students?

Unifies our curriculum Improves students’ background knowledge “Levels the playing field” for our neediest

learners Based on research done by Robert Marzano

and Debra Pickering

How do we implement this plan?

ELA Curriculum Council member will meet with building principals to create building level committees (AVBT).

These individuals will meet on Oct. 9th to be introduced to the plan and work out how to get all teachers involved in creating lists.

Lists will be created at the building level and brought back to ELA Curriculum Council for consolidation.

Tentative District wide lists will be generated and sent out to all teaching staff for input in December.

ELA Curriculum Contact People

Antwerp – Lori Ritchie Calcium – Marci Nash Evans Mills – Jean Kiechle High School - TBD IRIS – Debbie Reddick, Tom Howard Middle School – George McAloon, Debbie Salisbury Philly – Laura Gibbs Theresa – Terry Drake Pat Fabrizio, Laura Carbone

Long Term Goal

To create District wide Academic Vocabulary Lists K-12 in the areas of ELA, science, social studies, and math.

Implementation and training will follow.