About this resource
Knowing a word well means knowing more than its definition. This word map links a new word to its category, what it does, what it looks like, its parts, where you find it, how it sounds and how to use it in a sentence, building connections that help words stick.
Purpose
To strengthen word knowledge by linking new words to meaning and sound.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Speech pathologists. Also relevant for educators and school support staff.
Client or participant group: Children and adolescents learning new vocabulary, including those with language difficulties.
Practice setting: Speech pathology sessions, classrooms and home practice.
Suggested uses
- Topic vocabulary in class
- Speech pathology sessions
- Home practice
- Pre-teaching vocabulary
Instructions for practitioners
- Choose words that are useful for the student.
- Complete together at first, then fade support.
- Use real objects or pictures.
- Revisit words several times.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Write the word in the middle.
- Fill in each box.
- Use the word in a sentence.
Accessibility considerations
Students can draw instead of writing.
Scope and limitations
A learning activity. It does not assess language.
Research basis
Parent-implemented language strategies and interactive shared reading support children's language development.
- Mol, S. E., Bus, A. G., de Jong, M. T., & Smeets, D. J. H. (2008). Added Value of Dialogic Parent–Child Book Readings: A Meta-Analysis. Early Education and Development, 19(1), 7–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409280701838603
- Roberts, M. Y., & Kaiser, A. P. (2011). The Effectiveness of Parent-Implemented Language Interventions: A Meta-Analysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(3), 180–199. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/10-0055)
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
