This presentation explains how to implement Robert J. Marzano's 6 Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary. Including also are resources for more information about the strategy and visual aids for assisting with implementationt.
2. How it works
An academic notebook is used for recording vocabulary
building information. The notebook is a spiral notebook or
3-ring binder. 2
The teacher begins vocabulary instruction in Step 1 by
giving students and informal descriptive definition of the
vocabulary word.
Students progress through the steps in order building up
knowledge of the terms as they go.
Pictorial representations (Step 3) help solidify
understanding.
Activities such that extend understanding (Step 4) such as
group discussion (Step 5) and games (Step ) build
understanding.
Implementing the strategy across subject matter is most
effective.
4. Step 1: Description
HOW?
Put the word in
context
Show pictures
Tell a story
WHAT?
Teacher identifies
vocabulary that
may be new to
students.
Gives a
descriptive
definition of the
word including
examples and
pictures.
5. Step 2: Restate
HOW?
Record in the
vocabulary
notebook
Discuss term with
peers to building
understanding
Seek additional
information from
other sources ie.
Books, Internet, etc.
WHAT?
Students describe
and explain the
term as it relates to
them.
Marzano’s follow
up study (2009)
found that students
must restate the
term in their own
words for maximum
growth. 4
6. Step 3: Symbols
HOW?
Go beyond
paper and pencil.
Allow students to
experience
multiple visual
and graphic tools
to illustration their
understanding.
WHAT?
Students create
an illustration,
drawing, or
graphic.
According to
Marzano (2009)
this step has been
found to be
crucial.4
7. Step 4: Activities
HOW?
Identify and associate
prefix, suffix, and root
words
Antonyms and
synonyms
Analogies
Metaphors
Revise description and
record in notebook as
understanding is
expanded (p.99)2
WHAT?
Provide activities
to expand
meaning of the
terms
Make
connections
8. Step 5: Discussion
HOW?
Favorite word?
Most
challenging
word?
Word that has
changed your
perspective?
WHAT?
Organize
students into
groups and ask
them to discuss
terms in their
notebooks
(p.101)2
9. Step 6: Games
HOW?
Pantomime:
acting out term
Pictionary
Vocabulary Dice
Cootie Catcher
Finger Game
WHAT?
Vocabulary
games “stimulate
interest and
enthusiasm about
vocabulary as
well as provide
multiple
exposures to
terms” (p.102)2
10. Why use this strategy?
“Vocabulary knowledge is knowledge; the
knowledge of a word not only implies a definition,
but also implies how that word fits into the world.”1
“The actual words we know, then, are tags or
labels for our packets of knowledge.”2
Building vocabulary can not only enhance
understanding in the subject being taught, but
allows students to increase their understanding of
the term as they make real-world connections.
12. AASL Application
1.1.1: Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in
curriculum subjects, and make real-world connection for using this
process in own life.
1.1.2: Use prior and background knowledge as context for new
learning.
2.1.3: Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply
knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further
investigation.
2.1.6: Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and
technology skills to create products that express new understandings.
2.3.1: Connect understanding to the real world
3.1.3: Use writing and speaking skills to communicate new
understandings effectively.
4.1.2: Read widely and fluently to make connections with self, the
world and previous reading.
4.1.5: Connect ideas to own interests and previous knowledge and
experience.
4.1.8: Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning.
4.3.1: Participate in social exchange of ideas, both electronically and
in person.
13. In general…
Students can use Marzano’s Six-Steps for Building Academic
Vocabulary for building on the AASL Framework
14. Pros & Cons
Collaboration building Variation is limited- Steps
should not be skipped
Real-world connections Notebook is required
Student learning artifact Difficult to implement without
school-wide support
Differentiation is central
Highly engaging, interesting,
& fun
15. Modifications
Cons Workarounds
Variation is limited- Steps you
not be skipped
Spread vocabulary work
across multiple lessons
Start out with Steps 1 and 2
and build up to using all 6
steps
Notebook required Explore using digital
notebooks (OneNote)
(LiveJournal) or word walls
(Padlet)
Difficult to implement without
school-wide support
Try starting out small within
the library. Strategy
produces data showing
students’ growth which can
stimulate more interest.
16. #1 Rule for Success
COLLABORATION!!
Without collaboration between
teachers and the librarian, the
librarian cannot focus his or her lesson
toward curricular goals which would
expand on the vocabulary work in
class.
Students would miss out on building
real-world connections.
17. For More Information
Vocabulary Games
for the Classroom by
Lindsay Carleton
and Robert J.
Marzano
Building Background
Knowledge for
Academic
Achievement by
Robert J. Marzano
A Six-Step Process
for Teaching
Vocabulary by
ASCD
19. Works Cited
1. Butler, S., Urrutia, K., Buenger, A., Gonzalez, N., Hunt, M.,
& Eisenhart, C. (2010). A review of the current research on
vocabulary instruction, p.2. Retrieved from
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/support/rmcfi
nal1.pdf
2. Marzano, R. J. (2004). Building Background Knowledge
for Academic Achievement: Research on What Works in
Schools. Alexandria, VA, USA: Association for Supervision &
Curriculum Development (ASCD). Retrieved from
http://www.ebrary.com
3. Tyson, Kimberly. (2012). Vocabulary instructional
strategies: Marzano’s 6-step process. Retrieved from
http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/vocabulary-instructiona-
strategies-marzanos-6-step-process/
20. Works Cited (2)
4. Marzano, R. (2009). The art and science of teaching: Six
steps to better vocabulary instruction. Teaching for the
21st Century, 67(1), 83-84. Retrieved from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/
sept09/vol67/num01/Six-Steps-to-Better-
Vocabulary-Instruction.aspx
