Provide Word Banks

Best practices are intended to support multilingual learners (MLs) in all classes, no matter their proficiency level. These strategies are expected to be used by all teachers within lessons, assignments, and assessments to support MLs and all learners. Best practices are strategies that educators can quickly implement within daily instruction, activities, and classroom assessments.
 

Description

A word bank provides core vocabulary to support writing, reading, and speaking. Providing students with a small group of core tier 2 and 3 words related to the learning task supports academic vocabulary growth and promotes expressive language. Frequent exposure of tier 2 and 3 words through word bank use also promotes reading fluency and comprehension.

Example: Use the words below to help you write about the plant life cycle.

  • grow
  • absorb
  • convert
  • develop
  • life cycle
  • germinate
  • embryo
  • pistil
  • stamen
  • seedling
  • pollinator
Teacher Student
What it looks like The teacher provides core tier 2 and 3 words related to the content being covered. The teacher can model how to use a word from the bank in a sentence and cross it out once it used. The student uses the core vocabulary provided to to write or speak about a topic.
Teacher Student
What it sounds like “Use the words in the box to help you write what you have learned about the plant life cycle.”  “I don’t remember how to spell it. I can look in the box to find the word.”
Recommended Domain(s) Recommended Level(s)
Speaking, Reading, Writing All levels*
*accommodation is adjusted  for levels 4-6