Try to explain what you know without using words or concepts. Even drawing or acting out something requires your brain to think in terms of words. You cannot have knowledge without vocabulary. Vocabulary provides the words, concepts, and thoughts of our knowledge. In order for students to learn new knowledge, they must know the associated vocabulary.
In order to ensure that students have prior knowledge and vocabulary, it is important to preview key vocabulary words before each lesson using research-based strategies. The Activating Strategy will often provide an experience that can then be used to begin shaping vocabulary knowledge.
