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The Role of Vocabulary Learning in
Social Studies
Elfrieda H. Hiebert
TextProject &
University of California,
Santa Cruz
Knowledge
1986 2007
2017
Knowledge
is “stored” in
texts and…
©2011 by Mr. T in DC in Flickr. Some rights reserved http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
texts typically
have more
rare words
than
conversations.
©2010 by Len Ma-hews in Flickr. Some rights reserved h-p://creaBvecommons.org/licenses/by-­‐nc-­‐sa/2.0/ FEATURES OF THE
VOCABULARY IN SOCIAL
STUDIES TEXTS
Creating the Constitution
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, each
state was independent. Therefore, each state needed a set
of laws, or constitution, that captured the ideals of the
Revolution. These state constitutions served as models for
the U.S. Constitution. Some states, for example, allowed all
adult white males to vote. Others allowed only those who
owned property to vote. Some had strong governors. Some
had strong legislatures.
In May 1787, many signers of the Declaration of
Independence, called delegates, returned to Philadelphia.
Their goal was to form a stronger government. Some came
to strengthen the Articles of Confederation. Others came to
craft a completely new constitution, or written plan for
government, for the young nation. The Constitution created
in 1787 has been changed over the years, but is still in use
today.
Declaration of
Independence
(1776)
1. Vocabulary
represents
connected
ideas in
content
area.
Articles of
Confederation
(1st U.S.
Constitution)
(1777)
2nd
Continental
Congress
Delegates
U.S.
Constitution
(including
Preamble)
(1787)
Constitutional
Convention
Compromises
Three
branches of
government
(legislative,
executive,
judicial)
Federal
system
Checks &
balances
Bill of Rights
(1st 10
amendments)
Separation of
powers
Congress
(1789)
Ratification
by states
(1791)
2. Many of the concepts in
Social Studies are represented
by phrases.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Declaration of Independence
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation
Federal system
3. Many proper names can be
part of Social Studies content.
The Constitutional Convention The meeting, known as the Constitutional Convention, included people who had steered the
young nation toward independence.
Benjamin Franklin was 81 by that time, the oldest person to take part. He suffered from poor
health but was present for most of the convention. Franklin supported a stronger national
government.
James Madison, also a member of the Continental Congress, firmly believed in a strong
national government. During the convention, he took detailed notes that historians still consult
today.
Patrick Henry, who had argued fiercely for independence, refused to attend the convention.
He defended the Articles of Confederation and opposed taking power from the states.
George Washington, who had led the nation to victory during the Revolutionary War, also
attended. Washington was elected president of the convention.
Alexander Hamilton had worked closely with George Washington during the Revolution.
Later, he became a member of Congress and a lawyer. Hamilton agreed that the central
government created by the Articles of Confederation was too weak.
4. Academic text includes a
special register of words
called general academic
words.
Creating the Constitution
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, each
state was independent. Therefore, each state needed a
set of laws, or constitution, that captured the ideals of
the Revolution. These state constitutions served as
models for the U.S. Constitution. Some states, for
example, allowed all adult white males to vote. Others
allowed only those who owned property to vote. Some
had strong governors. Some had strong legislatures.
In May 1787, many signers of the Declaration of
Independence, called delegates, returned to
Philadelphia. Their goal was to form a stronger
government. Some came to strengthen the Articles of
Confederation. Others came to craft a completely new
constitution, or written plan for government, for the
young nation. The Constitution created in 1787 has
been changed over the years, but is still in use today.
5. Be cognizant of
differences in vocabulary
across disciplines
Use Maps to Locate Places
Relative Location
Go outside. What do you see? Everything is in a certain
place, or location. Relative location tells where something is
by comparing it to something else. Words such as near,
behind, and above tell where people, places, and things are
located.
Absolute Location
The exact spot where a place is located is its absolute
location. It includes a place's house number, street, town,
and state. A town is a small community. A postal worker
uses absolute location to bring your family's mail each day!
Imagine being invited to a friend's house. You have never
been there before. Your friend tells you the street address.
So you know its absolute location. But how do you get
there? You can use a map on the Internet. Type in your
address and your friend's address with an adult's help.
Directions will pop up telling you how to get there! Relative
Location
Location
Absolute
Location
MAPS
Grid
Parts
Compass
rose
Directions:
north,
south,
east,
west
Key or
Legend
symbols
The Kingdoms of Egypt
During the 3000s B.C., two kingdoms developed in Egypt. The kings of Upper Egypt
wore white crowns. The kings of Lower Egypt wore red crowns.
Uniting Egypt. Legends say that Narmer united the two kingdoms in about 3000
B.C., This made him the first pharaoh, or king, of a united Egypt. He wore a double
crown of red and white and founded Egypt's earliest dynasty, or ruling family.
Normally, control passed between members of a dynasty. Sometimes, however, a
new dynasty gained power. Historians divide Egypt's history into periods based on
kingdoms and dynasties.
The Old and Middle Kingdoms. Historians call the period from about 2686 B.C. to
2125 B.C. the Old Kingdom. Like later kingdoms, the Old Kingdom was a period of
prosperity, political strength, and cultural achievement.
After a period of civil wars, the Middle Kingdom began. It lasted from about 2055
B.C. to 1650 B.C. Pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom dealt with one of Egypt's major
environmental challenges the Nile floods. They built a system of canals that drained
floodwaters and irrigated new farmland.
High Point and Decline. The New Kingdom followed more civil wars and
invasions. The New Kingdom lasted from about 1550 B.C. to 1070 B.C. New
Kingdom pharaohs conquered lands in Asia and Africa. This was the high point of
ancient Egyptian power and prosperity.
However, the New Kingdom eventually weakened and broke apart. Egypt faced
foreign invasions. One late dynasty gained power only with the help of the
Assyrians. Still later, Egypt was conquered by the Persian empire. In 332 B.C., the
Greek army of Alexander the Great conquered Egypt.
Upper Egypt
Dynasty
(ruling
family)
Lower
Egypt
First pharoah
Old Kingdom
Middle
Kingdom
New
Kingdom
Egypt
conquered by
foreign
invasions
Prosperity &
Cultural
achievement
Nile
Floods:
canal
system
Conquering
other lands
INSTRUCTIONAL
SUPPORTS
Action 1: Consistently use
vocabulary maps. Encourage
students to generate their own maps.
KINDS:
•beam
•arch
•suspension
FEATURES
OF SITES:
•bedrock
•tides
•currents
SPANS:
*simple
•continuous
•cantilevered
VARIATIONS:
•truss
•bascule/swing
•semicircular
•segmental
arch
BRIDGES
COMPONENTS:
•pier
•tower
•pylon
•cables
•girder
LOADS &
FORCES:
•compression
•tension
•torsion
•shear forces
Famous
Buildings
in the
World
How are
architecture,
construction,
and
engineering
different? How
do people from
these areas
work together?
Famous
Constructions in
the World (e.g.,
bridges, canals,
dams)
How do
buildings
differ in
different
climates?
BUILDINGS
Changes in
building
over time
Stories about
Obstacles &
Challenges in
building and
constructing
Steps in
Designing and
constructing
What's
architecture?
What's
construction? Elfrieda H. Hiebert Building
and
Nature
What's
engineering?
Sustainable
Resources &
Energy
Aesthetics
Engineering:
Architecture
Greeks' 7
Wonders:
Pyramids of Giza
Examples:
•Great Wall of
China
•Statues at Easter
Island
•Taj Mahal
Ancient
Monuments
Challenges
in
Maintaining:
•Neglect
•Misuse
•War
•Natural
Elements
(Weathering)
WORLD
MONUMENTS
Monuments
of the Middle
Ages
Cathedrals
Castles
Bridges
Modern
Monuments
Examples:
Eiffel Tower
Statue of
Liberty
2. Use pictures & illustrations
whenever possible.
Relative
Location
Location
Absolute
Location
MAPS
Grid
Parts
Compass
rose
Directions:
north,
south,
east,
west
Key or
Legend
symbols
Upper Egypt
Dynasty
(ruling
family)
Lower
Egypt
First pharoah
Old Kingdom
Middle
Kingdom
New
Kingdom
Egypt
conquered by
foreign
invasions
Prosperity &
Cultural
achievement
Nile
Floods:
canal
system
Conquering
other lands
3. Choose & focus on a critical
group of proper names
4. Have students collect academic
words and their word families.
create
creates
created
creating
creation
creative
creature
explain
achieve
achieves
achieved
achieving
achievement
achievable
explains
explained
explaining
explanation
explainable
5. Have students read topic-rela
articles in magazines.
•  Readworks.org has approximately
3,000 free passages for Grades 1early high school—many on topics
relevant to Social Studies
instruction.
CONCEPTS OF COMPREHENSION: Explicit Information 3rd GR ADE UNI T
Reading Passage
The Influence of the Arch
By ReadWorks
The lasting influence of ancient Rome is apparent in many areas of our contemporary
society. Sophisticated elements of law, engineering, literature, philosophy, architecture,
and art can all be traced back to the Roman Empire. But perhaps one of the most lasting
The Party's Over
Parties and stunts at the Great Wall of China are now against the law.
A stunt is a dangerous or an unusual act that is done for attention.
Leigh Haeger
In 2005, Danny Way became the first person to jump over the Great
Wall on a skateboard. Over the years, many tourists have climbed the
famous wall. Others have jumped over the wall on motorcycles.
arch.
Parties and stunts have caused serious damage to the Great Wall, say
officials. The Chinese government has now issued new rules to protect
the famous landmark.
An arch is a curved structure designed to support or strengthen a building. Arches are
The Great Wall is the longest structure ever built. It twists and turns
for more than 4,000 miles through China. Parts of the wall are more
than 2,000 years old.
contributions from Roman civilization is something we see nearly every day: the Roman
traditionally made of stone, brick, or concrete; some modern arches are made of steel or
laminated wood. The wedge-shaped blocks that form the sides of an arch are called
voussoirs, and the top center stone, called the keystone, is the last block to be inserted.
During construction, the arch is supported from below before the keystone is put in. The
curve of an arch may take different shapes, but it is often a rounded or pointed semicircle.
© 2014 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Text: Copyright © 2007 Weekly Reader Corporation. All rights reserved.
Weekly Reader is a registered trademark of Weekly Reader Corporation.
Used by permission.
© 2010 Urban Education Exchange. All rights reserved.