Standard: 11-12.RST.4 – Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11-12 texts and topics.
Grade level: Grade 11-12
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Science & Technical Subjects
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of understanding specialized vocabulary in scientific and technical contexts. Mastery of this standard will enable students to better comprehend and engage with complex texts, which is crucial for their success in both academic and real-world settings. Students should be familiar with using context clues to determine word meanings and have some prior experience with scientific and technical texts.
Students will be able to apply their understanding of domain-specific vocabulary to more complex scientific and technical texts and engage in more advanced discussions and analyses.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that technical terms have only one fixed meaning. This is incorrect because many technical terms can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which they are used.
Intervention 1
To remediate this misconception, encourage students to use context clues and cross-reference with other sources to understand the multiple meanings of technical terms.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that understanding technical vocabulary is not necessary for comprehending the overall text. This is incorrect because key terms and symbols are integral to understanding the main ideas and arguments of scientific and technical texts.
Intervention 2
To address this, demonstrate how key terms and symbols are integral to understanding the main ideas and arguments of scientific and technical texts.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of general vocabulary and the ability to use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. They should also have some experience with reading and interpreting scientific and technical texts at a more basic level.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to apply their understanding of domain-specific vocabulary to more complex scientific and technical texts. They will also be able to engage in more advanced discussions and analyses of scientific and technical topics.
Instructional Activities
- Vocabulary exercises focusing on scientific and technical terms
- Context clue analysis activities
- Group discussions on the importance of domain-specific vocabulary
- Reading and interpreting scientific articles
- Creating glossaries of key terms for specific scientific or technical topics
