In secondary school, having the right vocabulary is key to success. Students need to know subject-specific vocabulary and how to use it in their writing. This helps them understand their subjects better, write clearly, and meet the standards set by exam specifications and mark schemes.

For struggling readers and writers, the challenge is even bigger. They might rely on low-complexity vocabulary, use repetitive language, or miss opportunities to include important non-negotiable vocabulary in their work.

Building a strong vocabulary boosts confidence and helps students express their ideas better. In a recent webinar, I showed how Wordbars in DocsPlus can make this easier. These tools help students use precise terms, structure their writing, and meet the demands of their subjects. Wordbars can support high-level vocabulary, guide students in applying vocabulary, and help overcome literacy barriers.

Why targeted vocabulary instruction is important

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) recently reported that teachers should focus on teaching vocabulary in every subject to help improve secondary literacy. Here’s a breakdown of their guidance:

1. Teaching vocabulary in every subject
   Teachers in all subjects should teach important academic words that help students understand the content. These words are often not used in everyday speech, but they are essential for success in school. By teaching students these words, teachers help them engage with the material and express their thoughts more clearly.
   
   
2. Helping students remember words
   Effective vocabulary instruction goes beyond just explaining what words mean. Teaching students about the roots and structure of words (etymology and morphology) helps them connect new words to words they already know. This makes it easier to remember and understand the words in different contexts.
   
   
3. Focusing on important vocabulary
   The EEF recommends focusing on Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary.
   
   
   • Tier 2 words are used in many subjects, like "analyse," "evaluate," or "compare." These words aren’t used in everyday conversations, but they are key for academic success.
   • Tier 3 words are subject-specific terms, such as "photosynthesis" in science or "feudalism" in history. These words help students understand specific topics.

By teaching these words, teachers help students get better at understanding and discussing complex ideas.

4. Planning vocabulary instruction
   To make vocabulary instruction effective, teachers should carefully choose which words to teach as part of their lessons. By including important vocabulary in the curriculum, teachers ensure that students learn the words they need to understand each subject. This helps students feel more confident and capable when tackling new topics.

How can DocsPlus help teachers provide subject-specific vocabulary instruction?

Wordbars are tools in DocsPlus that give students quick access to words and phrases for a topic. They support students with:

• Using subject-specific vocabulary in their writing
  
  
• Improving spelling and reading – right-clicking a cell reads out the word, enabling students to confirm they’ve selected the right one
  
  
• Organising their work with clear prompts

A common struggle for students is overusing simple words. Wordbars offer synonyms and high-level vocabulary to enrich their writing. For example, instead of saying "big battle," they can use "monumental conflict" or "historical confrontation." This makes their writing more engaging and detailed.

Using Wordbars also ensures students use key terms correctly, aligning their work with exam specifications and mark schemes.

Types of Wordbars and how to use them

DocsPlus includes three types of Wordbars to suit different needs:

1. A-Z Wordbars
   These organise subject-specific vocabulary alphabetically, making it easy for students to find and spell the words they need. This is great for students who know what they want to write but struggle with spelling.

2. Topic-based Wordbars
   These are structured around themes or subtopics, helping students use non-negotiable vocabulary while also understanding key content areas. For example, tabs might separate terms like "causes," "events," and "outcomes" to guide historical analysis.

3. Quick words Wordbars
   These offer a simple grid of key terms for quick reference. They’re ideal for struggling writers who need a clear starting point.

Writing frames: Applying subject-specific vocabulary through structured writing

Developing a strong vocabulary is vital. However, it’s equally important to teach students how to apply that vocabulary effectively in their writing.

Writing frames in DocsPlus help students organise their ideas and apply subject-specific vocabulary in the right way.

These frames provide both structure and support, ensuring students’ writing is clear, detailed, and meets exam specifications and mark schemes.

For example:

• In geography, frames like “Comparing Countries” guide students to use geographical terms and comparison skills.
  
  
• In science, frames help students explain processes using high-level vocabulary, such as when writing up investigations.
  
  
• In English, sentence starter frames guide students to write essays and reports that meet curriculum requirements.

Writing frames combine vocabulary support with a clear structure, giving students the tools to succeed across all subjects.

How do Wordbars help students with specific learning needs to include subject-specific vocabulary?

Students with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) often need extra support to help them succeed. Wordbars in DocsPlus are a great tool for providing this help because they can be adapted to meet individual needs. Whether a student struggles with spelling, vocabulary, focus, or organising their writing, Wordbars offer flexible support that aligns with their EHCP goals.

Wordbars are beneficial for all students, whether or not they have an EHCP. Here’s how they can specifically support students with the following learning needs:

EAL (English as an Additional Language)

Building vocabulary: Wordbars provide quick access to important words, helping students learn new English vocabulary for different subjects.
Learning in context: Words are grouped by topics, so EAL pupils can see how they are used in real examples, helping with their language acquisition.
Guiding writing: Sentence starters and key phrases in Wordbars help students write with correct grammar and structure.

Dyslexia

Making spelling easier: Wordbars help students use high-level vocabulary without worrying about spelling them correctly.
Clear layout: The organised design of Wordbars makes it easy for students to find words quickly, reducing confusion. Right-clicking a cell reads out the word, enabling students to confirm they've selected the correct one.
Customisation: Teachers can create Wordbars that match the student’s specific needs or interests, offering just the right level of support.

ADHD

Staying focused: Wordbars keep students on track by giving them a clear structure and reducing distractions.
Quick and simple: Wordbars make inserting key vocabulary easy with a single click.
Finishing tasks: With vocabulary and writing prompts, Wordbars help students complete their work more independently.

Autism

Providing structure: The organised layout of Wordbars gives students a predictable and easy way to find words.
Helping communication: By offering key words and sentence starters, Wordbars support students in expressing their thoughts clearly.
Freeing up working memory: Wordbars help reduce the pressure of remembering to use or how to spell key vocabulary, making writing a less stressful experience and freeing up working memory to focus on other content.

Want to know more?

Here are some other resources you may find useful:

• LearningGrids tour for Windows/Mac
  
  
• LearningGrids tour for iPad/Chromebook