Key+Word+Strategy

Key Word Strategy

The key word strategy is a memory and comprehension strategy that students can use in any setting where they need to learn information. Students can routinely (preferably once or twice a week) assigned to identify and define in a journal or notebook an important content or ‘key’ word learned in each class during the school day. They must explain their key words using a standard format that can be modified depending on students’ needs. Students can even find key words in their reading, write them on or mark them with a sticky note and this strategy can be used to teach kids how to evaluate the most important information and details in a selection.

Key words are personal; chosen by, and meaningful to the student. However the strategy includes teaching and reviewing with students what types of words (content words that challenge the student, and are meaningful to them) qualify as ‘key’ words, as well as teaching students how to define the words.

The key word strategy can benefit a wide variety of students with language needs in the areas of vocabulary, comprehension of academic language, sentence structure, organizing and explaining information, and transferring information across settings.

Students in a group can take turns teaching their key words and listening/learning key words presented by other students. During their teaching turns, students can practice effective oral language skills. Listeners can practice comprehension skills such as asking clarifying questions and paraphrasing the key word definitions to confirm the information. This can be a great springboard for accountable talk in your classroom!

Students can use the key words as a springboard for further practice of language skills appropriate to specific students’ needs. Examples include using the key words in sentences of increasing complexity, categorizing the key words as verbs, nouns, adjectives or adverbs, and adding prefixes and suffixes to key words to expand vocabulary by learning and using word families.