Adolescents+and+Vocabulary

(In Development)

Vocabulary development is a complex process where new words are encountered, read, and contextualized. Memorizing new vocabulary words does not help students store the words in the mind. (Blachowicz & Fisher, 2000; Taylor,2006). For students to remember new words, they need to relate the new words to words known. When working with English Language Learners associating new words with pictures helps students visualize and remember the words (Oogle, D.). In the following example, a semantic map is presented connecting a graphic novel with vocabulary development. In the graphic novel, there are many Tier 2 words (Beck & Mckeown, 2003) students may encounter. Here, the word in the title is presented to help give students vocabulary background about the book's theme and story.

Stickman Odyssey: An Epic Doodle (Christopher Ford, 2011)

Semantic Mapping (pictures help differentiate instruction for ELL)



The Concept Definition Map and the Frayer Model share similar characteristics for working with vocabulary and helping students make connections to to the word and context.

Another strong graphic organizer that helps adolescents associate new words with characteristics, illustrations, and definitions is a semantic feature analysis.