Students don’t just need bigger vocabularies — they need smarter ones. Apt Vocabulary helps learners choose words that fit the meaning, tone, and context of their writing. Instead of relying on a thesaurus to “sound fancy,” this routine teaches students how to elevate language with intention and accuracy.

APT VOCABULARY (Writing, Discussion, Feedback)

Description: Vocabulary development is an on-going process for students. At secondary levels, it is more about using sophisticated language rather than outright word introductions. Concern arises, however, when students use the thesaurus to blindly replace common words with words that do not fit within context.  Apt Vocabulary reminds students to appropriately nuance their word choices. 

Application: All students can benefit from Apt Vocabulary; however, modifications are needed for elementary-level students.  

Process: At the beginning of the academic term, create/find and share a short reading that is full of wrong words. Show students how faulty the action of going to the thesaurus and replacing words for the sake of it can be. Set-up activity by telling students to create a columned graphic organizer (the number of columns equals the number of words assessed) on a sheet of paper. Tell them that they will have 30 seconds to 1 minute to write at least seven synonyms of each word.  Announce just one basic word and monitor students' writing. After time is called, provide a contextual sentence and ask students to circle any word within their list that could be a replacement for the original word. In a whole group discussion format, generate a list of words on the whiteboard and quiz students on which word appropriately elevates and sophisticates the sentence. Repeat procedure with other vocabulary words.  At the end of the activity, gather papers to informally assess students’ vocabulary prowess. 

 Quigley, A (2021) The Problem with Teaching Sophisticated Vocabulary: 7-up https://www.theconfidentteacher.com/2022/11/the-problem-with-teaching-sophisticated-vocabulary/