Download Tips for Using the Vocabulary Lincing Routine

Tips for Using the Vocabulary Lincing Routine
Helping students master the routine:

Scaffold the instruction. Model easier sample words with the class before letting
the students work on the content vocabulary words.

Help students memorize the steps of the routine by always reviewing the 5 steps
with them verbally before they begin their LINCS Tables. Try a rapid-fire
activity: point to a student and ask for the L step, point to another for the I step,
etc. See how fast you can go.

Put some words on the board and practice coming up with good reminding words.
Keep asking the students the 3 characteristics of a strong reminding word.

Provide a list of vocabulary words with reminding words. Make sure the list
includes some good examples of reminding words and also some nonexamples of
reminding words. Ask the students to determine which reminding words are the
strongest and why.

Provide the reminding words for students and have them practice writing a
LINCing story. Ask them to have a peer edit their story for the 2 major
characteristics of a lincing story.

Use the feedback checklists with the students until you are confident that the
students have mastered the routine.

Let students use the small self-reflection sheet after they have completed their
LINCS tables worksheet.

Put the LINCing table on transparency strips and let students complete a strip and
then share on the overhead.

Do a pretest of key vocabulary and do LINCS for only those words that were
missed.

Do LINCS for difficult words at the beginning of a unit, lesson, or chapter.

When students have mastered the routine, do a LINCS drill for the activator
(opening activity) for your class. Students get five minutes to complete LINC the
word of the day.

Let students compare their completed tables for likenesses and differences.
Supporting the routine in the classroom environment:

Have the LINCS steps enlarged to poster size and display the poster in the room.

Make copies of the LINCS Table on 11 x 17 size paper. Cut into strips. Let
students complete the LINCS strips and display those on a word wall.

Post a word wall with favorites and vote for most effective, creative, etc.

Put a permanent LINCS strip on the bulletin board and LINC a “word of the
day”. Use the word in conversation throughout the day.

Put a permanent LINCS strip on the whiteboard to be used when the class
encounters a difficult word.

Create LINCS bookmarks, stickers etc. to give to students as reminders to use the
LINCS steps in all of their classes.

Let students keep LINCS folders / notebooks in the room to collect their tables
and easily review words when needed. They will eventually build their own
dictionaries of vocabulary words.