Gaining technical literacy by using a range of strategies to grow vocabulary
Part 1: Lesson Description
Lesson Title
Gaining technical literacy by using a range of strategies to grow vocabulary
Abstract
The intended audience includes adult learners (Grade Level D) seeking basic reading skill development. Learners will imagine that they are entering a new field of employment. They are given written information that contain new terminology specific to their occupation. Using a range of strategies, learners will determine or clarify the meaning of specific words as they are used in a specific technical context. This lesson will help learners to gain vocabulary related to an occupation of interest in order to build knowledge to prepare for a career.
Learner Audience / Primary Users
Teacher
Student
Educational Use
- Curriculum / Instruction
- Assessment
Language
English
Material Type
- Instructional Material
Keywords
- Designers for Learning
- Adult Education
- Literacy
- Vocabulary
- Technical
- Occupation
- Employment
- RST.3.4
Time Required for Lesson
60 minutes
Targeted Skills
Key skills covered in this lesson include:
- Employability
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define 5 key technical terms by using reference materials, context clues, or inference strategies while reading text related to job interest.
- Communicate effectively by creating an original sentence using a new term appropriately.
College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) Alignment
- Level: Adult Education
- Grade Level: D
- Subject: English Language Arts / Literacy
- Strand: Reading
- Sub-strand: Reading of Scientific and Technical text
- Standard Description: CCR Anchor 4: Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
- Determine the meaning of general academic and domain specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a topic or subject area. (RST.3.4)
Prior Knowledge
[Type prior knowledge summary here.]
Required Resources
Internet access or print reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses)
Links to online resources: http://www.merriam-webster.com
Links to online job descriptions (or print out if no internet access) provided below.
Print out one for copy for instructor:
Sample story for introduction:
Print out for learners:
Informational Text for presentation and guided practice: Dealt a Devastating Hand -- one copy per learner:
Strategies to Determine Word Meaning Worksheet -- several copies per learner:
Assessment: Dealt a Devastating Hand, Questions:
Lesson Author & License
- Lesson Author: PJ Wright
- License: Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 license
Part 2: Lesson
Instructional Strategies and Activities
Warm-Up
Time: 3 minutes
Learners are asked to brainstorm about prior experiences they faced when unfamiliar technical vocabulary was used. Record examples given, including the context where these words came up (doctor’s appointment, job interview, meeting with child’s teacher, etc.). Record any techniques that they have used to figure out the meaning of the words. If learners were not able to comprehend some words, record how did not knowing what these terms meant affected the outcome of this experience (negative/neutral outcome, feelings, impact on others, etc.).
Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Through storytelling, share an encounter (or use the sample story provided) when you tried to learn about a new subject that involved unfamiliar technical jargon. The story should explain the context where new terminology presented itself and discuss with the class some strategies used to determine the meaning of the new terms. If possible relay a positive impact of being able to gain new vocabulary (being able build credibility, being able to achieve a goal, etc…). Invite learners to expound on the benefits tied to being able to gain new technical vocabulary, especially as it relates to the learners’ lives.
By the end of this lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define 5 key technical terms by using reference materials, context clues, or inference strategies while reading text related to job interest.
- Communicate effectively by creating an original sentence using a new term appropriately.
Presentation / Modeling / Demonstration
Time: 10 minutes
In this lesson, you will demonstrate a range of strategies to determine or clarify the meaning of the word inflammation taking time to demonstrate each step. Ask the class if anyone can define the word “inflammation”. Record any definitions provided by the class on the flipchart or chalkboard.
Hand out a copy of Dealt a Devastating Hand. Review the first paragraph, highlighting the word “inflammation”. Use context. Look for clues in the text that hint to the meaning of the word. Discuss any ideas that come to mind after considering the context of the article. The sentence may contain words that define or describe the term. Record any insights gained during this discussion. For instance, the following phrases from the passage provide context: “extreme pain”, “red and swollen” and “war was taking place inside her joints”.
Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), either print or digital. Demonstrate looking up the term and share the meaning(s) of the word. Write the definition out on the flipchart or chalkboard.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflammation
Re-read the sentence, substituting the new definition in place of the unfamiliar word. Then create an original sentence using this word. For example, “When she twisted her ankle, her foot looked like a cake rising in the oven, signalling that inflammation was taking place”.
Guided Practice
Time: 19 minutes
Divide students up into pairs or small groups depending on class size. Hand out four copies of the blank Strategies to Determine Word Meaning Worksheet to each group of students. Assign all student to finish reading Dealt a Devastating Hand independently. Then ask each group to work together using the strategies covered during the demonstration to determine the meaning of each bolded word. Have each group fill out one worksheet per term to record their guesses, insights and definitions for all bolded words. Circulate around the room and support their efforts as needed. Ask each group to be prepared to report out their work when time is up. Debrief by allowing groups to share one unfamiliar term and their team’s completed worksheet answers with the class.
Evaluation
Time: 5 minutes
Assessment will be instructor observation with the following criteria:
- Learner will answer questions about the text assigned.
Hand out Dealt a Devastating Hand, Questions to each learner. Learners should work independently to answer the questions. This assessment will test vocabulary in context from informational text.
Answers for Dealt a Devastating Hand, Questions: 1. A, 2. D, 3. C, 4. C, 5. B.
Application
Time: 20 minutes
The learners are to imagine that they have identified a new occupation that they wish to explore or a job ad that interests them. Begin a discussion about how new technical jargon might present itself and how they might use the strategies learned in this lesson to gain new vocabulary that might help them in their job search or job interview preparation.
Have each student select text from a range of job ads and/or articles about specific occupations which contain technical terms. They may find these independently (if internet access is available) or they may select from printed copies of the following job descriptions:
Construction Inspector: https://www.portofsandiego.org/component/docman/?task=doc_download&gid=2406&Itemid=207
Fleet Maintenance Technician: https://www.portofsandiego.org/component/docman/?task=doc_download&gid=2453&Itemid=207
Graphic Designer: https://www.portofsandiego.org/component/docman/?task=doc_download&gid=2459&Itemid=207
HVAC Technician: https://www.portofsandiego.org/component/docman/?task=doc_download&gid=2471&Itemid=207
Web Developer:
https://www.portofsandiego.org/component/docman/?task=doc_download&gid=2603&Itemid=207
Assign each student to review their text independently with the aim of gaining new technical vocabulary. Learners should fill out the Strategies to Determine Word Meaning Worksheet for at least five new terms.
Extension of Application (optional): This activity can be extended over time. For instance, you could assign a new job description each week in order to expose the learners to more career options. After going through this exercise in class, learners will become more capable of using the strategies independently. Repetition of the strategies would aid in long term adoption of these techniques and help to grow technical vocabulary. They could be assigned to read and fill out the Strategies to Determine Word Meaning Worksheet as homework. It would be useful to ask them to keep a running list of new terms identified in order to give a visual representation of their growing vocabulary. They could be encouraged to report out about new fields of occupation, to translate reading comprehension into speaking ability that would be relevant during interviews, networking and speaking in general.
Key Terms and Concepts
Context
Reference materials
Technical literacy
Part 3: Supplementary Resources & References
Supplementary Resources
10 Sure-Fire Strategies to Improve Your Vocabulary: https://litemind.com/10-strategies-improve-vocabulary/
References
[Type your reference list here.]
Attribution Statements
Content created by PORT OF SAN DIEGO for PUBLIC WEBSITE,
originally published at https://www.portofsandiego.org/about-us/376-human-resources/articles/1760-job-descriptions.html under a Creative Commons 3.0 license.
This course content is offered by Designers for Learning under a CC Attribution license.
Content in this course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted. Page
(Design Guide effective September 12, 2016)