7 Step Vocabulary
Introductory Routine
This vocabulary routine is recommended for 2nd and 3rd students.
Vocabulary Routine Steps
STEP 1 Pronounce STEP 2 Define
Pronounce the word. Have students Give a student-friendly definition using an
pronounce the word. Listen for the correct example from the book. If applicable, perform
pronunciation. a gesture to illustrate the word. Have students
repeat the gesture.
Segment and count the phonemes or syllables in
the word. Tell a couple of sentences using the word in
context outside of the book.
(Phonology) (Semantics)
STEP 3 Show STEP 4 Explain
Show a vocabulary card with a photo or Explain the function of the word using the
illustration of the word. Explain what is anchor sentence as the example.
happening in the photo by reading an anchor
sentence with the word in it.
(Understanding) (Syntax)
STEP 5 Identify Word Parts STEP 6 Spell & Write
Spell and write the word on the board. Chunk the Have students say, spell and write the word in a
word into meaningful parts (prefix, root word, suffix) vocabulary notebook.
and discuss.
(Morphology) (Orthography)
STEP 7 ENGAGE
Engage with the word using word engagement activities.
(Understanding)
2nd-3rd Grade
Vocabulary EXAMPLE
Routine Steps
Word: Agitated
STEP 1
Phonology
Today we are going to learn about the word “agitated”.
Listen as I say the word and get ready to repeat after me…agitated.
How many syllables do you hear in the word “agitated”? What are they? [Segment the word.]
Pronouce
In the story, Michael became agitated when he lost his favorite stuffed animal.
If someone is “agitated”, they are very worried or upset. This can show in their behavior, movements, or
STEP 2 voice. Someone who is agitated may walk back and forth or speak loudly.
Semantics
[Act out the word] Let me see you act “agitated”.
Here are a couple of other sentences with the word agitated:
Define • Mike was very agitated after waiting in line for over 3 hours for an ice cream cone.
• The football player was agitated after his team lost the game by 1 point.
• After staying up late and not getting enough sleep, Mary was agitated.
Understanding
STEP 3
Look at the photo and listen as I use the word in a sentence.
[Show a photo of a man with a laptop that looks agitated.]
After 5 tries, James became agitated when his computer would not turn on.
Show
STEP 4
In this sentence, the word agitated functions as an adjective. An adjective describes a person, place, or thing.
Syntax
James feels agitated because he could not use his computer.
Explain
STEP 5
Morphology
Listen and watch as I write this word on the board. [Spell and write the word]
I see -ed at the end of the word. [Underline -ed] Adjectives with the suffix -ed, help us know the
Identify word describes how people feel about something or someone.
Word Parts
Orthography
STEP 6
Say, spell and write the word “agitated” in your vocabulary notebooks.
[Optional] Write the anchor sentence and underline the vocabulary word.
Spell & Write
STEP 7 I’m going to read a couple of scenarios. I want you to act out what you might do in this situation if you were
Understanding
agitated.
• Driving and someone hits your car because they were on the phone
Engage • Getting caught in the rain with a new outfit with no umbrella
• Listening to the same song 500 hundred times ent activities
[Link]
Agitated
After 5 tries, James became agitated
when his computer would not turn on.