The Vocabulary strategy focuses on explicitly teaching the key academic vocabulary and skills that students must understand to effectively use rich, discipline specific content language in context.

When using Vocabulary, the teacher will purposefully identify and model the essential vocabulary and language that are characteristic of the content area. Teachers will make connections to students’ background knowledge. Students will practice learning and using vocabulary within context. Students will engage in active and meaningful use of key vocabulary in a variety of learning activities, including paired interaction, instructional conversations, classroom discussions, and relevant writing tasks. Students will actively practice using vocabulary in multiple contexts in both oral and written communication.

Vocabulary is not taught in isolation, but it is most effective when it is purposefully and actively embedded within the context of the learning.