12 Powerful Words
12 POWERFUL WORDS
Students at Lexington High School are using their power. Over the course of the next few months, they will be learning 12 words that will improve their thinking skills. These "higher order thinking" skill words will be one of the strategies used to increase test scores and help close the achievement gap. All 12 words are power verbs and are frequently used on standardized tests. By learning these words and knowing the meanings, students are less likely to be intimidated by them. Familiarity with the words should also help relieve test anxiety.
The question is, "What are the 12 POWERFUL WORDS?" They include - Trace: (List in steps); Analyze (Break apart); Infer (Read between the lines); Evaluate (Judge); Formulate (Create); Describe (Tell all about); Support (Back up with details); Explain (Tell how); Summarize (Give me the short version); Compare (All the ways they are alike); Contrast (All the ways they are different); and Predict (What will happen next).
How are students learning these words?
Our teachers are implementing many of the following strategies:
• Teachers use them daily in their lessons
• Words are displayed on posters throughout the building
• Teachers use the 12 powerful words on tests and quizzes
• "Word of the week" is implemented in individual classrooms
• Words are included on spelling and vocabulary tests
• Teachers use the 12 words on various student assignments
The 12 Powerful Words are those that the students must see, hear, use, and experience daily in order to fully understand and internalize. Once fully acquainted with these words, the students will be less likely to skip over them when they encounter them on standardized tests. Some standardized test questions have two or three power verbs in them. We want all our students to know the language of the test in order to do their best. These twelve powerful words will help level the playing field and give the students additional tools to continue their improved performance on local, state and national tests.
Flashcards General Power Points Larry Bell Lists Posters Unraavel Worksheets
