Vocabulary BuildingVocabulary Building

By David WooBy David Woo

How to Learn Words?How to Learn Words?

• Activate prior knowledge (schemata)

• Combine students’ knowledge

• Systematically organize knowledge

• Analyze words from all angles

• Become responsible for understanding the word

Semantic MappingSemantic Mapping

• Brainstorm words

• Group them together

• Label them appropriately

Explicit Teaching of MeaningExplicit Teaching of Meaning

• Define words for students

Implicit Teaching of MeaningImplicit Teaching of Meaning• Contextual Analysis• Morphemic Analysis• Phonemic Analysis

Morphemic AnalysisMorphemic Analysis

• Break apart words into prefixes, suffixes and roots.

• Become familiar with common morphemes.

Contextual AnalysisContextual Analysis• Learn from clues in the text

– Surrounding Sentences– Examples– Synonyms; Antonyms– Definitions

Phonemic AnalysisPhonemic Analysis• Learn systematic pronunciation of words

Building AccountabilityBuilding Accountability

• Vocabulary Squares

• Mnemonic Devices

• Linguistic Scavenger Hunts

• Vocabulary Self-collection Strategy

• Assessment

Vocabulary SquaresVocabulary Squares– Write the word.– Define it (or break

down morphemes).– Provide an example

(of a sentence or similar words).

– Use a mnemonic device.

Vocabulary CirclesVocabulary Circles

– Select the word that doesn’t fit and explain why it doesn’t belong with the other three.

Linguistic Scavenger HuntsLinguistic Scavenger Hunts

• Words formed with the Roman alphabet yet not English.

• Semiotics – words formed with symbols

• Mnemonic device - login