Marzano's 6 Steps to Vocabulary Instruction #5: Ask students to Discuss Terms with Each Other

Dr. Marzano's fifth step of effective vocabulary instruction is built into steps 2-6 and is a vital component of everything I do in my class regardless of topic.  Marzano calls for students to periodically discuss vocabulary terms with each other.

I've already mentioned some of these activities in prior posts, but I'll list them again here because they involve students discussing vocabulary with each other.

1.  A-B Partner Vocabulary Review - I project one vocab term at a time, and in pairs, one person defines the term.  Their partner gives them a "thumbs up" if they agree, or says what they think the correct definition is if they don't.  They alternate rolls with each word.  I provide 10 seconds per word times 14 words per unit = a 2 minute 20 second vocabulary warm up every single day.  To change it up, I will sometimes project the definitions, and students need to recall the word that goes with it.

2.  Vocabulary Task Card Activities - Each of the card sort activities call for students to discuss meanings and images of terms with their group.  Click HERE for a FREE set of directions for these activities that can be used with any vocabulary task cards.

3.  Vocabulary Connections - With partners, or in a group, students are directed to make connections between words and explain and defend those connections to their peers.

4.  Vocabo! (and other vocabulary games) - Vocabo! is a vocabulary game I developed which will be explained in more depth in my next post that calls for students to, again, make and defend connections between words, definitions and images.  The big difference between Vocabo! and the vocabulary connections activity is that in Vocabo!, they only have a random and limited choice of terms, definitions or images to make connections with.  Click HERE for FREE directions to Vocabo! and 2 other vocabulary games that work well with vocabulary task cards.

​So, be sure to click the links above for the FREE resources mentioned, and don't forget to visit my store for more great Social Studies activities!

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