Effective Strategies for Teaching Science Vocabulary
Course Desciption
In order for students to develop scientific literacy, they need to gain a strong knowledge of science content and practice scientific habits of mind. This is impossible without knowledge of science vocabulary. This modules shares research-based strategies for science vocabulary instruction that are effective for all students, including English language learners
Knowledge:
Each unit has science vocabulary that students need to learn in order to understand the content
Science vocabulary can be a major roadblock for students learning science
There are strategies that work that allow students to access vocabulary and therefore access content
Skills:
Develop lesson plans that implement vocabulary building strategies
Teachers develop strategies for students to see patterns in words
Provide opportunities for students to practice vocabulary
Address academic language in the classroom
Mindset:
Teaching vocabulary is more than memorizing a definition
Word learning can be fun
Students do not need to know every single vocabulary word that a textbook makes bold