Academic Vocabulary

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Academic Vocabulary

• Todays Agenda
• How do words get learned and
• stay learned?
• What do we mean by academic
• vocabulary?
• 3. Implicit and explicit vocabulary
• instruction
• 4. Classroom practices that grow
• vocabulary

Presenter Amy Benjamin You may access any of
todays visuals at www.amybenjamin.com
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• Rich
• Gradual
• Cumulative
• Recursive

• Aggressive
• Purposeful
• Pervasive

• Goals
• Vocabulary growth in authentic situations
• Improved ability to derive meaning of
• unfamiliar words
• 3. Positive attitude about words and language

The visuals for todays presentation are
available for your classroom use. Feel free to
access them at www.amybenjamin.com
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Implicit Natural language acquisition through
immersion

• Aggressive
• Purposeful
• Pervasive
• Persistent

Explicit Planned instruction on
targeted words Etymology (word
histories) Morphology (word
parts
Estimation 3 to 20 of instructional time spent
on vocabulary
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superhydrophobicity
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Lotus Effect Learning
Study Guide Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Vocabulary Words Algaeseaweed Bulwarka wall
built for defense Estuary wide mouth of a river
where it empties into the sea Incandescencebrigh
tness given off by a hot object Mangrovea
tropical tree Poulticeherbal medicines applied
to a wound or sore Undulatingwaving, swinging
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Rose Effect Learning
Study Guide Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Mangrove a tropical tree that grows in
clusters very close to a body of water
What do we notice about mangrove trees? (other
than mangrove) What might I google to get a
picture of a mangrove tree? Did you ever see
mangrove trees? where?
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Rose Effect Learning
Study Guide Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Poultice a mix of herbs or other plants, crushed
and placed inside cloth, to be applied to a
wound as a home remedy
Poultices can be made of herbs, garlic, carrots,
potatoes, ginger, lemon, etc.
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Watering Can Effect Learning
Study Guide Chapter 2 of The Pearl
adj incandescent eyes
Synonyms and Near Synonyms illumination radiance
gleam glistening glittering glint brilliance
Related words candle candidate kindle

Sentence Under an incandescent sliver of the
moon, the trees appeared life-like..
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What if ad executives taught vocabulary? repetiti
on association with emotion association with an
image humor story novelty
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word
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Definition contains unfamiliar language Definitio
n can be too simplistic and therefore
misleading Limited information Usually, no
context Not all of the information about a word
is captured in a definition
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Charlotte, are you thirsty? Would you like some
juice? What kind of juice do you want? Do you
want apple juice? Thats the yellow juice that
you liked at Nanas. No? Do you want the purple
juice? The grape juice? OK. Do you want your
juice in the sippy cup or the Big Girl juice box?
OK, now hold it carefully. Two hands. Dont
squeeze it! Itll spill all over the place. Very
carefully.Sip it through the straw.
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BOSU
II. New word for a simple but new concept
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Categories of Word Knowledge
photosynthesis
insulin quadratic equation calculus

• New word/ new, complex concept
• Concept may be understood on progressively deeper
  level

III.
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Of Limited Value
Lists alone Context alone Definitions
alone Dictionaries and Glossaries alone
Of Durable Value
Words in clusters Leisure reading Multiple
exposures in various contexts Chances to speak,
hear, write Manipulation of forms of
words Classify and categorize word lists Word
games, puzzles
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Rules of Thumb
New learners need SIX (meaningful) exposures to a
new word during the initial lesson and at
least THIRTY additional exposures during the
ensuing month.
The chances of learning a word after a single
exposure in context are 10-15.
We learn most words through non-conscious effort,
in pursuit of information of interest.
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Explicit Teaching Etymology Illuminates Meaning
nostalgia
algia pain neuralgia Gr nostos return home
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Explicit Teaching Personal connections
Illuminate Meaning
nostalgia
Have you ever been homesick?
Stories illuminate meaning
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Explicit Teaching Teaching morphology
facilitates use
nostalgia, nostalgic
Have you ever felt nostalgic for elementary
school?
Connecting to related words facilitates use
sentimental, memories, forgotten, reminds me
of, evokative, deja vu
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Literary Vocabulary
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Vocabulary List The Tell-Tale Heart
Foresight Thoughtful regard for
the future Dissimulation Hidden under a
false appearance Vexed
Troubled, distressed, caused agitation Sagacity
Sound judgment Hearkening
Giving careful attention Awe
A mixed feeling of reverence, fear, and
wonder Distinctness Unmistakable,
clearly defined Over-acuteness Very
keen Concealment A means of
hiding Waned Grown gradually
less Scantlings Small quantities or
amounts
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Understanding the words we meet in reading
Target Word
Visual Draw or find a picture
Dictionary Definition
My guess
Definition in my own words
Complete sentence of at least ____words Must
contain an action verb and a visual image.
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A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.
-Jebediah Simpson
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Should I spend time teaching this word
explicitly?

• Three Questions
• How useful is this word? Will students be likely
  to encounter it again
• soon? Is it necessary for comprehension?
• Will teaching this word explicitly equip the
  students with word-learning
• skills that can be applied to other words?
• 3. Am I enthusiastic about this word? Can I make
  it interesting?

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Prior Knowledge How well do I know these words?
Strangers
Acquaintances
Friends
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The Academic Word List (AWL)
Background The Academic Word List consists of
570 word families that are not in the most
frequent 2,000 words of English but which occur
frequently over a very wide range of academic
texts. These 570 word families are grouped into
ten subsets that reflect word frequency. A word
like analyze falls into Subset 1, which contains
the most frequent words, while the word adjacent
falls into Subset 10 which includes the least
frequent (among this list of high incidence
words). The AWL is not restricted to a specific
field of study. That means that the words are
useful for learners studying in disciplines as
varied as literature, science, health, business,
and law. This high-utility academic word list
does not contain technical words likely to appear
in one, specific field of study such as
amortization, petroglyph, onomatopoeia, or
cartilage. Two-thirds of all academic English
derive from Latin or Greek. Understandably,
knowledge of the most high-incidence adademic
words in English can significantly boost a
students comprehension level of school-based
reading material. Students who are taught these
high-utility academic words and routinely placed
in contexts requiring their usage are likely to
be able to master academic material with more
confidence and efficiency, wasting less time and
energy in guessing words or consulting
dictionaries than those who are only equipped
with the most basic 2000-3000 words that
characterize ordinary conversation. The
following link gives you a two-page version of
the list http//www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/Word_L
ist_Feldman.pdf Source Coxhead, Averil.
(2000). A new academic word list. TESOL
Quarterly, 34, 213-238.
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Academic Word List Subset 1
analyze approach area assess assume
authority available benefit concept consist
context constitute contract data define
derive distribute economy environment
establish estimate evident factor finance
formula function income indicate individual
interpret involve issue labor legal
legislate major method percent period
principle proceed process policy require
research respond role section sector
significant similar source specific structure
theory vary
Academic Word List Subset 2
achieve acquire administrate affect
appropriate aspect assist category chapter
commission community complex compute conclude
conduct consequent construct consume credit
culture design distinct equate element
evaluate feature final focus impact injure
institute invest item journal maintain
normal obtain participate perceive positive
potential previous primary purchase range
region regulate regulate relevant reside
resource restrict secure seek select site
strategy survey tradition transfer
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Vocabulary-Content-Sentence (VCS)Daily Practice
analyze approach area assess assume
authority available benefit concept consist
context constitute contract data define
derive distribute economy environment
establish estimate evident factor finance
formula function income indicate individual
interpret involve issue labor legal
legislate major method percent period
principle proceed process policy require
research respond role section sector
significant similar source specific structure
theory vary
achieve acquire administrate affect
appropriate aspect assist category chapter
commission community complex compute conclude
conduct consequent construct consume credit
culture design distinct equate element
evaluate feature final focus impact injure
institute invest item journal maintain
normal obtain participate perceive positive
potential previous primary purchase range
region regulate regulate relevant reside
resource restrict secure seek select site
strategy survey tradition transfer
alternative circumstance comment compensate
component consent considerable constant
constrain contribute convene coordinate core
corporate correspond criteria deduce
demonstrate document dominate emphasis ensure
exclude fund framework illustrate immigrate
imply initial instance interact justify layer
link locate maximize minor negate outcome
philosophy physical proportion publish react
register rely remove scheme sequence shift
specify sufficient technical technique
technology valid volume
Write a sentence about something we are learning
this week, employing one of these words. You may
change the form of the words to fit
your sentence. Your sentence must be at least 8
words long.
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Academic Word List Subset 3
alternative circumstance comment compensate
component consent considerable constant
constrain contribute convene coordinate core
corporate correspond criteria deduce
demonstrate document dominate emphasis ensure
exclude fund framework illustrate immigrate
imply initial instance interact justify layer
link locate maximize minor negate outcome
philosophy physical proportion publish react
register rely remove scheme sequence shift
specify sufficient technical technique
technology valid volume
Academic Word List Subset 4
access adequacy annual apparent approximate
attitude attribute civil code commit
communicate concentrate confer contrast cycle
debate despite dimension domestic emerge
error ethnic grant hence hypothesis implement
implicate impose integrate internal
investigate mechanism occupy output overall
parallel parameter phase predict prior
principal professional project promote regime
resolve retain series statistic status
stress subsequent sum summary undertake
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Academic Word List Subset 5
academy adjust alter amend aware capacity
challeng clause compound conflict consult
contact decline discrete draft enable energy
enforce entity equivalent evolve expand
expose external facilitate fundamental
generate generation image liberal license
logic margin mental medical modify monitor
network notion objective orient perspective
precise prime psychology pursue ratio reject
revenue stable style substitute sustain
symbol target transit trend version welfare
whereas
Academic Word List Subset 6
abstract acknowledge accuracy aggregate allocate
assign attach bond brief capable cite
cooperate discriminate display diverse domain
edit enhance estate exceed explicit
federal flexible furthermore gender
ignorance interval lecture migrate minimum
ministry motive neutral nevertheless
overseas precede presume rational recover
reveal scope subsidy trace transform
transport underlie utilize
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Academic Word List Subset 7
adapt adult advocate aid channel chemical
classic comprehensive comprise confirm
contrary convert decade definite deny
differentiate dispose dynamic equip eliminate
empirical extract file finite foundation
grade guarantee hierarchy identical ideology
infer innovate insert intervene isolate
media mode paradigm phenomenon priority prohibit
publication release reverse simulate sole
submit successor thesis topic transmit
ultimate unique
Academic Word List Subset 8
abandon accompany accumulate ambiguous
appendix appreciate arbitrary automate bias
chart clarify commodity complement conform
contemporary contradict crucial currency
denote detect deviate displace eventual
exhibit exploit fluctuate guideline highlight
implicit induce inevitable infrastructure
inspect intense manipulate minimize nuclear
offset paragraph practitioner predominant
prospect radical random reinforce restore
revise schedule tense terminate theme thereby
uniform vehicle via virtual visual
widespread
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Academic Word List Subset 9
accommodate analogy anticipate assure attain
behalf cease coherent coincide commence
compatible concurrent confine controversy
converse device devote diminish distort
duration erode ethic format inherent insight
integral intermediate manual mature mediate
medium military minimal mutual norm overlap
passive portion preliminary protocol
qualitative refine restrain revolution rigid
scenario sphere subordinate supplement suspend
temporary trigger unify violate vision
Academic Word List Subset 10
adjacent albeit assemble collapse colleague
compile conceive convince depress encounter
forthcoming incline integrity intrinsic
invoke levy likewise nonetheless
notwithstanding ongoing panel persist pose
reluctance so-called straightforward undergo
whereas whereby
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A Plan for School-wide Vocabulary Instruction
EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION
Focus 40 words from the Academic Word
List selected by grade level teachers 1 word per
week
2-3 words related to or associated with each of
the Focus 40 each subject area teacher decides
on related words

Subject-specific words, such as those found in a
glossary
Students have more opportunities to read for a
variety of purposes, including self-selected
material.
Elevated language used in class by teachers
students given motive and opportunity to use
elevated vocabulary in speech and writing.
IMPLICIT INSTRUCTION
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Vocabulary Concordance
Subset 1
of two- thirds Latin-based and one third
Arabic-based words.
1.
Spanish
consists
of roughly half Spanish and half French words..
2.
consists
Catalan
3.
consistent
in your daily practice.
To learn to play a musical instrument, you must
be
4.
consists
Jazz
of African elements.
5.
consists
The U.S. government
of three branches legislative, judicial,
executive.
6.
consists
of nine Justices.
The Supreme Court
7.
Cake batter should have a smooth
consistency
before you bake it.
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Vocabulary Concordance
Subset 1
of life on other planets is intriguing.
1.
concept
The
2.
Conception
begins with the union of two cells.
3.
concept
to learn, at first.
Quantum physics can be
a difficult
4.
a world of justice and opportunity.
conceptualize
Idealists
5.
concept
of the Pythagorean theorem is still used
today..
The
6.
speaking, Einsteins Theory of Relativity
could some day help us time travel.
Conceptually
7.
He was unable to grasp the

concept
of derivatives in math.
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Academic Vocabulary Concordance
Subset 2
the teachers attitude as rude and therefore
unprofessional.
The class
1.
perceived
The students unwillingness to comply with
directives led the teacher to
2.
perceive
that she might .need alternative methods of
instruction.
3.
perception
of the viewer.
The angle of a plane can depend on the
4.
and observations of the scientist must be
objective.
perceptions
The
a potential problem because of the rivers
current, the captain changed course.
5.
Perceiving
6.
of its role in the peoples lives is the basis
of its philosophy.
perception
The governments
7.

I
perceive
a problem with the safety rules not being
properly posted.
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Vocabulary Concordance
Subset 5
1.
folding is essential.
When doing origami
precise
measurements are required for figuring out the
dimensions of the angle.
precise
2.
The
3.
precision
tools require high maintenance.
4.
precise
Synthetic diamonds require
cutting.
5.
precise
The Boeing 787 is the result of
engineering.
6.
precisely
The owners manual illustrates
how to assemble the bicycle.
7.
precise
geographic locations.
GPS satellites afford
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Subset 2
Consequence
It occurs later. It happens as a result. An
events effect.
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Subset 6
Incorporate
Bring into the mix Creating a new oneness
Integrate the parts.
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Subset 4
Implement
Employ and apply Put to immediate use. Get the
plan to work.
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Morphology Chart
Its easier to understand parts of speech than
you think. Simply use the cues above. Not all
words follow the same morphology. Its
interesting to see how words morph into different
forms.