Student VOC Strategy

The Student VOC Strategy is useful in helping students analyze word meanings from context. The strategy also allows students to make meaningful sensory connections that relate to their particular learning style. When students write their definitions for the terms and then make a sensory connection with it, they are engaged in a "whole" brain activity that increases retention:

How to use it:

1.    Read the assigned text.
2.    Create a list of key vocabulary words.
3.    Identify unfamiliar terms from the lists.
4.    Use the VOC strategy by:

•         Writing the actual sentence in which the words appear.
•         Examining how the word was used in that sentence and writing down a prediction about its meaning.
•         Consulting an "expert" for the actual definition. Examples of experts might be : a friend who is familiar with the word, a teacher, the dictionary or glossary, etc. and then writing down the definition.
•         Creating a sentence using the new term, which demonstrates a clear understanding of the word meaning.
•         Pulling a sensory experience to help remember the word's meaning. Examples would include: drawing a picture of what the word means to you; selecting and performing a mime action that the word reminds you of; or connecting the word with something similar to that you've heard - a story, a news report, a song.
•         Recording in some appropriate way the association or connection that was made.
•         Explaining to a partner the definition as well as the visual, mental, or physical representation chosen to help in the retention on the term.