Vocabulary Strategy: Define and Replace

Strategy: Define and Replace

​Objective

• ​I can determine the meaning of words as they are used in the text.

• ​I can read and understand literary nonfiction.

​

Open Ended

When you face an unknown word in a passage, what are some strategies you use to figure out its meaning?

​You might have said:

• ​Use context clues

• ​Look up the dictionary definition

• ​Break down the word root, suffix, prefix etc.

• ​Compare the word to similar words.

​Today we are going to talk about the "define and replace" method.

​This method can be broken down into a few simple steps:

1. ​Skim the text and identify any unknown words (highlight, underline etc.)

2. ​Look up the unknown words in the dictionary.

3. ​Find a synonym for the word that you find easier to understand.

4. ​Replace the word in the passage with the easier vocabulary term or a similar meaning.

​Step 1: Skim the passage and underline unknown words.

​Ms. Meizz’s story took hold as the coronavirus pandemic has radically transformed relationships. Some old friendships have withered after a lack of in-person interactions and people have forged more online connections to alleviate loneliness. What happened next to Ms. Meizz showed those changes, with her online and offline worlds blurring to create something new — and joyful.

Open Ended

Given this passage: What are some words you don't know?

Ms. Meizz’s story took hold as the coronavirus pandemic has radically transformed relationships. Some old friendships have withered after a lack of in-person interactions and people have forged more online connections to alleviate loneliness. What happened next to Ms. Meizz encapsulated those changes, with her online and offline worlds blurring to create something new — and joyful.

​Step 1: Skim the passage and underline unknown words.

​Ms. Meizz’s story took hold as the coronavirus pandemic has radically transformed relationships. Some old friendships have withered after a lack of in-person interactions and people have forged more online connections to alleviate loneliness. What happened next to Ms. Meizz showed those changes, with her online and offline worlds blurring to create something new — and joyful.

Multiple Choice

What is step 2?

• Replace unknown words with synonyms. 

• Read the passage.

• Look up the word in the dictionary.

​Step 2: Look up the vocab in the dictionary

radically : Adverb; in a radically or extreme manner

withered : Verb; to lose vitality, force, or freshness

alleviate : Verb; to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearable

Open Ended

radically : Adverb; in a radically or extreme manner

Given the above definition, what is a possible synonym for radically?

​Step 2: Look up the vocab in the dictionary

radically : Adverb; in a radically or extreme manner

withered : Verb; to lose vitality, force, or freshness

alleviate : Verb; to make (something, such as pain or suffering) more bearable

​Step 3: Find synonyms for the words that are easier to understand. (Hint: make sure the synonym is the same part of speech)

radically : Completely

withered : shriveled

alleviate : lessened

​Step 3: Find synonyms for the words that are easier to understand. (Hint: make sure the synonym is the same part of speech)

radically : Completely

withered : shriveled

alleviate : lessen

​Step 4: Replace the words in the initial passage.

​Ms. Meizz’s story took hold as the coronavirus pandemic has completely transformed relationships. Some old friendships have shriveled after a lack of in-person interactions and people have forged more online connections to lessen loneliness. What happened next to Ms. Meizz showed those changes, with her online and offline worlds blurring to create something new — and joyful.

​Exit Ticket

​On the next slide, I am going to give you a very short passage. Your job is to complete the steps and identify at least ONE unknown vocabulary term. Your final answer should look something like this:

​

​1. Unknown word(s)

​2. Dictionary definitions with parts of speech.

​3. Synonym

​4. Sentence with replaced vocab term.

Open Ended

"Mr. Hernandez spent Sunday afternoon trying to dispel the notion that the party was a scam. He organized refunds to those who had purchased tickets through Cookies N’ Kicks and on Sunday another line of kids formed at the store to get their money back."