ELL Tip #3:
Tier 1 vocabulary consists of the most common words: blue, mother, car, run, pencil. Most ELLs will know these words before they come to your class.
Tier 3 vocabulary is the “academic” terms that you teach all your students: hypotenuse, subduction, alliteration.
Tier 2 vocabulary consists of the words that students need to function academically, but that ELLs may not have mastered yet. Examples are difference, measure, except, underline, margin and compare. Tier 2 also includes common words with special meanings, like table (periodic table, table of contents, tabled legislation).
Try to cultivate an awareness of these words and the challenge they pose to ELLs, especially during testing. Don’t count on the students to ask you about them. As you become more aware of Tier 2 words – especially terms that you know will appear on tests – stop occasionally to check for understanding and give a quick explanation. (A systematic approach, like vocabulary journals or word walls, is even better!) Your ELLs (and maybe some of your other students) will benefit.
Here are some links if want to learn more:
If you have suggestions of Tier 2 words that we should focus on, please put them in a comment!
Paul
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