Cracking the Code to

Academic Vocabulary

Adapted from

GOING UNDERCOVER WITH DONNA MALONE

Presented by

Bridget Taylor
Bridget.Taylor@Henry.K12.GA.US

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Missing
Direct Vocabulary Instruction
Requires multiple exposures
Relies on descriptions instead of
definitions
Linguistic and nonlinguistic
representations
Often involves word play

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Last Seen
In some secondary classrooms
Broken down by word parts prefixes,
suffixes, and root words
Left to die

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The Latest from Authorities

We need to bring Direct Vocabulary
Instruction back before its too late.
Time is running out

PREFIX

ROOT SUFFIX

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Statement from Family

Simply stated, direct instruction in
vocabulary works. Direct instruction has an
impressive track record of improving
students background knowledge and the
comprehension of academic content
(Marzano, 2004).

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Move Over Dictionary

Direct Vocabulary Instruction relies on
descriptions, not definitions.
Example
Dictionary definition of lollop:
To walk or run with a clumsy or relaxed
bouncing movement

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Lets Describe Instead

A description of lollop in everyday language:
When an animal or person lollops along,
they run awkwardly and not very fast.

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More Examples
Word

Definition

Description

Covert

Kept from sight; secret;

hidden

Describes something that

is done in a hidden or
secret way

Disrupt

Break up; split

To cause difficulties that

stop something from
continuing easily or
peacefully

Improvise

To make, invent, or arrange

whatever is on hand

To make something you

need by using whatever is
available at the moment

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Multiple Contexts
Something to think about
Run
A run on the stock market
A run in a pair of pantyhose
A run in baseball
A press run
To run away from home

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Calling All Sleuths

To find Direct Vocabulary Instruction
To put all parts of the instruction together
To make a home for it in secondary
classrooms

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Search for High Impact

High impact words are words that appear
in more than one subject area or context
Examples:
trait, parallel, outcome, domain

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TIP and TIE Charts

Term

Information

phobia

Extreme fear of something

Movie: Arachnophobia

metaphor

a figure of speech that

compares two things that are
unrelated but share some
common characteristics

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Picture / Example

She was a walking dictionary.

Password
Purpose:
Requires students to describe vocabulary words
How to Play:
Each person should write five subject-related words on an index card.
Choose partners.
Set a 2-minute time.

One person gives one-word clues to the other person who tries to guess the
words. (You or your partner can pass and go to another word.)
The goal is to get your partner to say all the words in two minutes.
After the first person has given clues to his or her words, switch roles.

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Synonym Tic-Tac-Toe
Synonym Tic-Tac-Toe for persistent:
determined

energetic

weary

tenacious

strong

pungent

relentless

robust

powerful

* Refer to your handout for an example using loquacious as well as

another strategy: the cross-synonym puzzle.

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Wall Slap

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Logographic Cues

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Logographic Cues

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Word Thermometers

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Word Thermometers

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Which Word Doesnt Fit?

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Word Parts

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Most Commonly used Prefixes [9]

Prefix- a word part that can be added to the beginning of a root or base word that changes the meaning of a
root or base word

anti = against

auto = self

bi = two

circum = around

co, con, com = with

contra = against

de = opposite

dis = reverse/opposite

e, ex = out

en, em = cause to

in, im, il, ir = not

inter = between

macro = large

micro = small

mid = middle

mis = wrongly

mono = one

non = not

poly = many

post = after

pre = before

re = back/again

semi = partly

sub = under

super = above

syn = same time

trans = across

tri = three

un = not

uni = one

1.1.A Supporting Standard

Educational Epiphany
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Most Commonly used Root Words [9]

Root- a word part to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) may be added to create related words

audi = hear

auto = self

bene = good

bio = life

chrono = time

cred = believe

dict = say

duc = lead

fid = truth, faith

flex = bend

gen = give birth

geo = earth

graph = write

greg = group

jur, jus = law

log = thought

luc = light

man = hand

mand = order

mis, mit = send

omni = all

path = feel

phil = love

phon = sound

photo = light

port = carry

scrib = write

sens, sent = feel

spec, spect, spic = look

tele = far off

terr = earth

vac = empty

vid, vis = see

1.1.A Supporting Standard

Educational Epiphany
www.educationalepiphany.com
410-258-6443

Most Commonly used Suffixes [9]

Suffix- a word part added to the end of a root or base word that changes the meaning of a root or base word.
able, ible = can
be done

acy = state or
quality of

al = act or
process of

al, ial = pertaining to

ate = become

dom = place or state of

ed = past tense

el, er, or = one who

er = comparative

en = become

ess = female

ful, ous = full of

ic, ical = pertaining to

ify, fy = make
or become

ing = present participle

ion, tion, ation, =

act, process

ish = somewhat like

or near

ism = characteristic of

ist = one who

ity, ty = quality of

ize, ise = make

or become

less = without

ly = characteristic of

ment = act of, result of

ness = state of

ology = study, science

s, es = more than
one, plural

ship = position held

ward = in the
direction of

y = having the
quality of

1.1.A Supporting Standard

Educational Epiphany
www.educationalepiphany.com

Reporting Category 1.1.A

Understanding and Analysis Across Genres
Determine the meaning of grade level technical academic English words in multiple content
areas (science, math, social studies, the arts) derived from Latin, Greek, or other linguistic roots
and affixes [9]
Unfamiliar word:

Prefix:

Meaning of prefix:
Epiphany Word Bank

Affix- a word part added to a root

word or base word
Base word- a word that can stand
alone without a prefix and/or suffix
Prefix- a word part that can be
added to the beginning of a root or
base word that changes the
meaning of a root or base word

Unfamiliar word:

+
+

Root or base word:

Meaning of root
or base word:

Root or base word:

Prefix:

Meaning of prefix:

Root- a word part to which a prefix

and/or a suffix may be added to
create a word
Suffix- a word part added to a root
or base word that changes the
meaning of the root or base word

Supporting Standard

Meaning of suffix:

Determined of information and words used in text:

Epiphany Word Bank

Suffix:

Meaning of root
or base word:

Suffix:

Meaning of suffix:

Determined of information and words used in text:

Educational Epiphany
www.educationalepiphany.com
410-258-6443

Vocabulary High Rollers

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More Ideas
Vocabulary Review Jigsaw on Teaching Channel
Kick Me: Making Vocabulary Interactive on Teaching Channel
Vocabulary Paint Chips on Teaching Channel
Vocabulary.com

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