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You are here: Home / ACPS Classrooms in Focus / Language Learning

Language Learning

Authentic Use of Vocabulary

Words are the building blocks of language; to teach language, we must explicitly teach vocabulary. Teaching vocabulary authentically means teaching it in context. It means providing students with multiple opportunities to see, say, read, represent, use, and interact with new words. Teachers who teach words and language authentically, explicitly teach vocabulary through direct instruction and peer-to-peer practice using a variety of engaging instructional practices. Student created charts, and maps, as well as class chants and total physical response, help students to solidify the meaning of new words.


Objective: By the end of this video viewers will have an understanding of a variety of strategies that can be used to teach vocabulary and language authentically.

Essential Questions: How can I teach language and vocabulary while also teaching content?

Questions to consider while watching the video:

  1. How does Ms. Harvin use charts in her classroom? Why are they co-created with students?
  2. How do chants help students become more comfortable with new words?
  3. What is Total Physical Response and why does it help to teach vocabulary and language?
  4. How can I bring some of these strategies into my own practice?

Tools & Templates

  • Professional Learning Implementation Tool- Vocabulary Instruction
  • Word Knowledge Rating Chart
  • Multi-Frayer Document (revised)
  • Vocabulary Word Bank– ACPS template adapted from Marzano
  • Marzano Six Step Vocabulary Process (Secondary)

Texts on Vocabulary Instruction

  • Building Background Knowledge for Academic Achievement (Marzano, 2004) Available from the Virtual PL Library
  • Building Literacy in Social Studies (Ogle, Klemp, McBride, 2007) Available from the Virtual PL Library
  • Building Content Literacy (Sejnost & Thiese, 2010) Available from the Virtual PL Library
  • Teaching English Language Learners Across Content Areas (Haynes & Zacarian 2010) Available from the Virtual PL Library
  • The Art & Science of Teaching/ Six Steps to Better Vocabulary Instruction (Marzano, 2009) ASCD
  • Review of the Research on Vocabulary Instruction (NRTAC, 2010)

Related Videos

  • Classrooms in Focus- Explicit Instruction
  • Vocabulary Instruction Videos from the Teaching Channel

Tools & Templates Used in the Lesson

  • Explorers Lesson Plan
  • Explorers Chant Book
  • Explorers Observation Charts
  • Pictures for Explorers Graphic Organizer

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