B. Foundations of Language · Listening, Speaking and Word Power

Words for Every Subject: Academic Words, Subject Words and Multiple Meanings

B2.2 B2.1 A3.1About 45 minutes

Learning goals

I can understand and use academic words that tell me what to do in any subject, like compare, explain and predict.
I can figure out subject words in science, math and social studies using context, word parts and text features.
I can choose the right meaning of a word that means different things in different subjects.
I can use a Frayer model to really learn a new word.

Words to know

academic word
A word used for thinking and learning in many subjects, like analyze, compare, evidence.

subject word
A word that belongs mostly to one subject, like circulatory (science) or municipal (social studies).

multiple-meaning word
A word that has different meanings in different contexts, like volume or product.

glossary
A mini-dictionary at the back of a book that explains the book's important words.

text feature
A part of a text that helps you find or understand information: bold words, headings, captions, diagrams, sidebars.

Frayer model
A four-box chart for learning a word: definition, facts, examples and non-examples.

Remember from Grade 4

In Grade 4 you learned five kinds of context clues (definition, synonym, antonym, example and general), used context and word parts together, chose the right meaning of words like current and pupil, and checked a glossary. In Grade 5 you'll use these tools on the harder words in your science, math and social studies books, learn academic words that work in every subject, and use a Frayer model to make new words your own.

Let's start with a puzzle

What does volume mean?

In music: Turn down the volume! → how loud something is.
In math: Find the volume of the box. → how much space is inside a 3-D object.
In the library: The encyclopedia has 20 volumes. → separate books in a set.

One word, three meanings. The subject and the context tell you which one fits.

One word, three meanings. The subject and the context tell you which meaning of volume fits.

Academic words: they tell you what to do

Some words show up in every subject, especially in instructions and questions. If you know exactly what they ask, you'll answer the right way.

Academic word	What it asks you to do	Example
compare	tell how things are alike (and often different)	Compare a frog and a toad.
contrast	tell how things are different	Contrast summer and winter in Nunavut.
explain	tell how or why, with reasons	Explain why ice floats.
describe	tell what it is like, with details	Describe the setting of the story.
predict	say what you think will happen, based on clues	Predict what will happen to the ice cube.
estimate	make a careful guess of an amount	Estimate the length of the hallway.
analyze	break into parts and study how they work together	Analyze the results of your experiment.
summarize	give the main ideas briefly	Summarize the chapter.
evidence	proof: facts or details that support an idea	Use evidence from the text.

Subject words in Grade 5

Subject	Word	Meaning	Word-part help
Science	circulatory system	the heart, blood and blood vessels that move blood around the body	circul = circle: blood travels in a loop
Science	physical change	a change in size, shape or state, where no new substance is made (ice melting)	physic = nature, the physical body
Science	renewable resource	a natural resource that can be replaced naturally, like sunlight, wind or trees	re- (again) + new + -able
Math	equivalent	having the same value (1/2 and 2/4 are equivalent fractions)	equi = equal
Math	translation	a slide of a shape to a new position without turning or flipping	trans- = across
Social studies	municipal government	the government of a city, town or township	municip = town
Social studies	federal government	the government for all of Canada, in Ottawa	fed = league, union

Subject words often come with word parts you know.

Use the text features!

Information books help you with hard words:

Bold or italic words usually have a definition nearby.
Diagrams and captions show what the word looks like.
Sidebars and fact boxes give extra explanations.
The glossary at the back explains the book's key words.

The best plan uses everything: context + word parts + text features, then check the glossary or a dictionary.

A Frayer model has the word in the centre and four boxes: definition in my own words, facts or features, examples, and non-examples.

Worked example

Let's learn a science word with a Frayer model

Read: Melting is a physical change. The ice becomes water, but it is still the same substance. Burning paper is different: it becomes ash and smoke, which are new substances.

Context clue: the text gives examples (melting) and a contrast (burning paper is different).
Definition (own words): a change in the size, shape or state of something, where no new substance is made.
Facts/features: the substance stays the same; it can often be reversed (water can freeze again).
Examples: ice melting, cutting paper, folding a shirt, water boiling into steam.
Non-examples: burning paper, baking a cake, a rusting bike (these make new substances; scientists call them chemical changes).

A physical change changes size, shape or state without making a new substance. The non-examples help show exactly where the word stops.

Worked example

Let's choose the right meaning

Read each sentence: (a) The product of 6 and 7 is 42. (b) Maple syrup is a famous Canadian product.

Look at the subject: (a) is math, with numbers and of 6 and 7. (b) is about things people make and sell.
(a) In math, product means the answer when you multiply: 6 × 7 = 42.
(b) In everyday life and social studies, a product is something made (often to sell). pro + duct (lead): something brought forth.
Check: both meanings fit their sentences.

(a) the answer to a multiplication; (b) something that is made or grown to sell.

Just for fun

Math teacher: "What is the product of 6 and 7?"

Student: "Maple syrup?"

Right word, wrong subject!

Use the word, or lose the word

Research and experience both show that you learn a word best by using it several times in different ways: say it, write it, draw it, explain it. Try to use each new subject word in a sentence at least three times this week.

Hands-on activity

Kitchen science Frayer model

You need: an ice cube, a small plate, a slice of bread and a toaster (with a grown-up), and a sheet of paper folded into four boxes.

Put the ice cube on the plate and watch it begin to melt. Ask: is it still water? (Yes: a physical change.)
With a grown-up, toast the slice of bread. Ask: can the toast turn back into bread? (No: the toast has new substances; this is a chemical change, so it's a non-example of a physical change.)
Make a Frayer model for physical change: definition, facts, examples and non-examples. Use what you saw.
Then make a second Frayer model for a math or social studies word from your schoolwork.

Safety: only a grown-up should use the toaster. Never put a fork or knife into a toaster.

What to look for: the definition is in your child's own words, the examples truly fit, and the non-examples are close but not quite (they show the word's limits).

Your turn

What does contrast ask you to do?

What does volume mean in: The volume of the fish tank is 40 litres?

Use word parts: what does equivalent mean in math?

Give one example and one non-example of a renewable resource.

Where in an information book can you find a quick definition of a bold word?

Your teacher says, "Predict what will happen when we put the plant in the dark cupboard." What should you do?

What is a municipal government?

More practice: warm-up

What does summarize ask you to do?

What is a glossary?

What are the four boxes of a Frayer model?

In math, what is the product of 4 and 5?

Which government is for all of Canada: municipal or federal?

More practice: on your own

Explain the two meanings of matter: What's the matter? and All matter takes up space.

What is the difference between compare and describe?

A science book says: Blood travels through arteries, tubes that carry blood away from the heart. What kind of context clue helps, and what are arteries?

Use word parts and context: The shape was moved by a translation: it slid 3 units to the right.

Why is a non-example useful in a Frayer model?

Challenge

The word force appears in science and in everyday life. Write a sentence for each meaning and explain the difference.

Make a Frayer model (in words) for evidence.

Explain how knowing academic words like analyze, contrast and evidence helps you in every subject.

Check your understanding

Quiz

What does compare ask you to do?

In math, what does volume mean?

Which is a non-example of a physical change?

Where can you find definitions of a book's key words?

What does equivalent mean?

A municipal government is the government of...

Which is evidence?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (B2.2): Grade 5 students acquire and use explicitly taught vocabulary in various contexts, including other subject areas, and use morphological knowledge (B2.1) to analyze new words in context. This lesson connects strongly to A3.1 (applying language learning in other subjects).

How to help at home:

Ask your child to teach you one subject word a week, using a Frayer model.
When doing homework, point to the academic word in the question: "What does explain ask you to do?"
Use subject words in everyday talk: "Is boiling the kettle a physical change?"

Common difficulties:

Answering a "compare" question by describing only one thing. Ask, "How are they alike? How are they different?"
Using the everyday meaning in math or science (product, volume, matter). Ask, "Which subject are we in?"
Copying glossary definitions without understanding. Ask for the definition in their own words and an example.