Selecting and Using Academic Vocabulary in Instruction

This document provides research-based strategies and classroom activities to support academic vocabulary instruction. It includes general activities for all students, additional supports specifically for English Language Learners (ELLs), and guidelines for selecting words for in-depth instruction with ELLs.

Key Points:

Activities for All Students:

Teach multiple meanings of words as used in the text.
Use varied activities like creating pictures, using words in context, creating synonym/antonym lists, student dictionaries, and word walls.
Additional Supports for ELLs:

Utilize word banks, sentence frames, in-depth vocabulary studies, visual glossary creation, word-part instruction, home language connections, and differentiated word lists.
Selecting Words for In-Depth Instruction with ELLs:

Focus on words essential for understanding the text, frequently used words, cross-content words, words with multiple meanings, affixed words, and cognates.