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Word map

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What is it?


 A word map is a visual organizer that promotes vocabulary development. Most word map organizers engage students in developing a definition, synonyms, antonyms, and an image for a given vocabulary word or concept. Word maps can be effectively used with read-alouds in the classroom and word walls.


Source

Why use it?

    • They help students develop their understanding of a word.
    • They help students think about new terms or concepts in various ways by asking questions like: What is it? How is it? What are some examples?
    • They help students build on prior knowledge and visually represent new information.
    • Word maps support oral and reading comprehension.


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Key information

 Focus

                  

Understanding

When?

                  

Before reading

After reading

How?

                  

Individual

Small groups

All the class

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How to implement it?


  1. Introduce the vocabulary word and the format of the word map to the students.
  2. Teach them how to use the map by placing the target word in the central box.
  3. Ask the students to suggest words or phrases to put in the other boxes that answer the following questions:
    1. What is it?
    2. How is it?
    3. What are some examples?
  4. Encourage students to use synonyms, antonyms, and images to help illustrate the new target word or concept.
  5. Model how to write a definition using the information in the word map.
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Diversity in the classroom


For second language learners, students with varied reading skills, and younger students.
  • Give students who need additional help the opportunity to work with a partner.
  • Allows students to use images to illustrate when appropriate.
  • Adjust the number of words that students need to map.
  • Provide students with sentences that contain the word target. The sentences should provide enough contextual clues to allow students to complete a word map.
  • Instruct advanced students to refer to the dictionary, encyclopedia, or other reference books to help complete the word map. Ask them to compare their definitions with that of the dictionary.
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Evidence

Baumann, J. F., & Kameenui, E. J. (1991). Research on vocabulary instruction: Ode to Voltaire. In J. Flood, J. D. Lapp, & J. R. Squire (Eds.), Handbook of research on teaching the English Language Arts (pp. 604-632). New York: Macmillan.

Colorín Colorado. (2007). Using Science to Develop ELLs Language Skills (opens in a new window).

Jones, R. (2007). Strategies for Reading Comprehension: Vocabulary Word Maps (opens in a new window).

Jones, R.C., & Thomas, T.G. (2006). Leave No Discipline Behind. The Reading Teacher, 60(1), 58-64.

Schwartz, R. M., & Raphael, T. E. (1985). Concept of definition: A key to improving students’ vocabulary. The Reading Teacher, 39, 198-205

Texas Education Agency. (2002). Teaching Word Meanings as Concepts


This article is a free adaptation and translation of: Reading Rockets (n.d.) Word Mapshttps://www.readingrockets.org/classroom/classroom-strategies/word-maps

 


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