Instructional Strategy

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INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY

List-Group-Label

Grade:

3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type:

Acquire Vocabulary
20-30

Minutes

When:

Before and after reading

Materials:

List-Group-Label graphic organizer, whiteboard or display, writing utensil
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Description

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© MirageC—Moment/Getty Images
The List-Group-Label strategy enhances vocabulary and content understanding by encouraging students to discover meaningful connections between words. It fosters critical thinking and collaboration as students work together to group and discuss word relationships, thereby improving comprehension before and after reading.
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Procedure

1
Introduce the topic and prompt students to brainstorm a list of related words. Display these words, refraining from critiquing as the relevance of some words may emerge during later phases.
2
Organize the students into pairs or small groups and distribute a List-Group-Label graphic organizer to each pair or group. Ask students to categorize the brainstormed words into groups. Encourage students to discuss their grouping choices.
3
ExpAsk students to propose labels for their word groups. Emphasize that the labels must reflect the rationale for their groupings, discussed in step 2.
4
Initiate a whole-class discussion, encouraging a member from each group to share their label and a brief explanation to justify their grouping choice.
5
If time allows, groups may refine their categories and labels based on feedback and new insights, enhancing their comprehension of the topic.
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Differentiation

Word Banks: Supply word banks to help students access the necessary vocabulary for the lesson. For additional support, provide visual aids or images to support comprehension and engagement. This ensures that all students can understand the lesson’s vocabulary, fostering full participation in the learning process.
Advanced Categorization: Encourage students to go beyond basic grouping by identifying nuanced relationships between words, such as synonyms, antonyms, or thematic connections. This activity can deepen their understanding of the language and the subject matter.
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Variations

Visual Sort and Connect: Students represent vocabulary with visuals (such as pictures or icons) and arrange them in groups, enhancing engagement through kinesthetic and visual interaction. This method involves creating, organizing, and labeling visual elements to deepen understanding. It both supports students needing visual aids and provides a challenge through advanced exploration.
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