Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary

© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

FREE Vocabulary Flip Book

for Marzano’s Six Steps
By Classroom Core
Keep this flip book handy when planning vocabulary instruction!
This provides an overview and can be used as a resource. A few ideas for
implementation are listed under each step. There is also space on each page for
teachers to add their own notes and ideas. The flip book lists Marzano’s six steps in
the order in which they should be taught.

Directions: Cut out and layer the page. Secure the top with staples, brads, or string.

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 Marzano’s
Six Steps for
Building Academic
Vocabulary
By Classroom Core

© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Cut and discard this bottom portion.

 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 1: Teacher Description

Teacher provides description, explanation, or example of
the new word or term.
• Use the new word/term in a story.
• Use current events to present word/term.
• Use pictures or photos.
• Present an unusual fact that students will remember.

Notes:

1 Teacher Description
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 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 2: Student Description

Students restate the description, explanation, or example
in their own words.
• Make sure students restate in their own words.
• Teacher corrects any misunderstandings by students.
• Students record words and definitions in their vocabulary notebooks.

Notes:

2 Student Description
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 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 3: Nonlinguistic Representation

Students construct a nonlinguistic representation of the
word or term.
• Teacher modeling will help students to understand the concept of drawing a word
or meaning.
• Show examples from previous classes to help students get started.
• As an alternate method, have students use photo software to draw or edit.

Notes:

3 Nonlinguistic Representation
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 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 4: Student Activities

Periodically, students engage in activities that help them
add to their knowledge of the terms in their notebooks.
• Create analogies.
• Create synonyms and antonyms.
• Classify and sort words.
• Use roots and prefixes.
• Compare similarities and differences.

Notes:

4 Student Activities
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 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 5: Student Discussion

Periodically, students discuss the words or terms with
one another.
• Compare descriptions or pictures.
• Discuss different interpretations.
• Refine definitions.

Notes:

5 Student Discussion
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 Marzano’s Six Steps for Building Academic Vocabulary
© 2014 Classroom Core  |  www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-Core

Step 6: Review Games

Involve students in games that allow them to “play” with
the words or terms.
• Teacher listens for any misconceptions while students are playing games.
• Students use words in context and out of context.
• Allow for collaborative learning while playing games.
• Use tried and true games, or have students invent their own.

Notes:

6 Review Games
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