English SOL Vocabulary
In order to become independent readers, students must build vocabulary by applying their knowledge of word structure and context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Teachers need to provide both direct and indirect instruction in all areas of vocabulary development across all content areas.
Lesson Plans
English Enhanced Scope and Sequence (ESS) Sample Lesson Plans help teachers align instruction with the 2010 English Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the knowledge, skills and processes found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.
Vocabulary ESS Sample Lesson Plans
Applying phonetic principles (PDF) / (Word) K.71.62.5
Vocabulary development (PDF) / (Word) K.81.8
Homophones (PDF) / (Word) 3.4 4.4 5.4
Figurative language – identifying onomatopoeia (PDF) / (Word) 5.4
Context clues (PDF) / (Word) 3.4 4.4 5.4
Roots and affixes (PDF) / (Word) 3.4 4.4 5.4
Word reference materials (PDF) / (Word) 3.4 4.4 5.4
Using word maps to expand vocabulary (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Understanding and using roots to expand vocabulary (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Understanding and using suffixes to expand vocabulary (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Understanding connotation (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Using context clues (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Learning vocabulary by using reference materials (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Predicting the meaning of unfamiliar words in a text (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Determining meaning of words by taking them apart (PDF) / (Word) 6.4 7.4 8.4
Making connections, using metaphor (PDF) / (Word) 9.310.311.312.3
Helpful Suggestions and Strategies
- Incorporate vocabulary study into daily writing
- journals
- exit slips
- warm-up prior to beginning a unit of study
- respond to reading using content area words
- Preview unfamiliar words prior to instruction, teach high frequency words, word analysis skills, roots, prefix, suffix, teach use of glossary, dictionary, and thesaurus (direct instruction)
- Give a variety of reading materials on the same subject to expose students to similar vocabulary words in context; build prior knowledge (indirect instruction)
- Model for students
- Use examples relevant to the age group
- Find authentic opportunities to teach words in context
- Make connections between words
- Categorize or sort word groups
- Work with word families or word parts
- Provide a variety of graphic organizers for students to try
- Use available technology
- Do an Internet search to find common Greek and Latin roots
- Make word walls
- Play word games
- Think, pair, share
- Jigsaw
Resources
Graphic Organizers and Models
- Words Alive Map (Word)
- Words Alive Map – blank (Word)
- Frayer Model (Word)
- Own the Word (Word)
- Vocabulary Cluster (Word)
- Word Association – blank (Word)
- Word Association for Science (Word)
- Word Family Tree (Word)
- Definition Chart (PDF)
- Word Game Instructions (PDF)
- Prefix, Root Word, and Suffix Study Sheet (PDF)
- Affixes and Root Words: Teacher’s Guide (PDF)
Outside Links
- National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) – a professional organization of educators in English studies, literacy and language arts.
- International Reading Association – nonprofit, global network of individuals and institutions committed to worldwide literacy
- Florida Center for Reading Research – early vocabulary instruction activities, reproducible handouts, and instructional guides
- Readwritethink – a collection of English and language arts lessons plans for grades K-12
- Vocabulary lessons from Readwritethink
- Sample Connotation Lessons
- Thinkfinity – educational resources from reliable educational organizations
- Internet4classrooms – an educational portal with free resources for teachers, students, and parents
- Effective Strategies for Improving Vocabulary Development – recorded webinar, handouts, and links to Anita Archer videos
- Flash card machine – create, study, and share online flashcards
- Word Pair Game – match pairs of homophones in this online game
- It’s Greek to Me – interactive online game emphasizing Greek roots
- Greek and Latin Roots – simple Java-based games
Practice Test Sample Questions
- Practice Test Sample Questions (Word) – Items provide examples of the increased rigor of the 2010 English SOL and are representative of the content and skills assessed.
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