It can be easy to assume that students understand the meaning of the words they hear – or that they will figure them out on their own with enough exposure. But this isn’t always the case. In fact, studies show that about 80% of words are learned as a result of direct explanation (even in middle school!).
While vocabulary is usually associated with Language Arts instruction, these lessons can be a powerful tool for teaching history! Now you’re probably thinking, “Hold up. On top of everything else, you want me to teach history vocabulary too??”
I know, I know… But hear me out. It’s 100% possible to make teaching history meaningful, fun, and (believe it or not) SIMPLE! To help get you started, I have created an Early Republic vocabulary list – complete with definitions and teaching suggestions!
Why Teach Early Republic Vocabulary?
Vocabulary is the key that unlocks understanding. If students don’t know certain words, there are just some concepts they will not understand.
For example, imagine you are teaching a lesson about the precedents set by George Washington’s presidency. If your students do not have a solid understanding of the word precedent, most of your discussion will go right over their heads! Sure, students can use context clues and pull together a meaning. But without being explicitly taught the vocabulary word, they will not be able to grasp the full meaning of the word – with all of its nuances and deeper implications.
In this blog post, Lauren Brown illustrates the power of vocabulary. She said:
Students often whine about vocabulary tests. They just don’t see the point of memorizing a bunch of words that, to them, just mean the same thing as other words they already know. “Why do we need to know squalid,” they ask. “Can’t we just say dirty?”
But the [immigrant] tenements weren’t just dirty. They were, according to one definition of squalid, “extremely dirty and unpleasant, especially as a result of poverty or neglect.” This seven-letter word speaks volumes about the conditions of the urban poor at the turn of the century in a way that “dirty” or “really bad” just doesn’t convey.
According to Brown, “vocabulary is a tool of thought.” As such, student thought is simplistic if they do not have a rich vocabulary. When students develop a more complex vocabulary, they are able to have more complex thoughts. And more complex thinking leads to greater overall school success!
Tips for Teaching Early Republic Key Terms
To develop a wide vocabulary, students need both direct and indirect instruction. In addition, it is important for students to be exposed to the words multiple times. As vocab words are studied repeatedly and in a variety of meaningful contexts, student understanding will increase.
Here are some of my favorite ways to teach vocabulary:
- It is important to teach students the explicit meaning, examples, and context in which historical terms are used. The Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that allows students to identify and define historical terms.
- In this graphic organizer, students write:
- the selected term
- characteristics of the term
- examples of the term
- non-examples of the term
- and a definition for the term in their own words
- Then, students check the meaning of the term with the dictionary definition.
- Click here to access a free Google Slides version of the Frayer Model graphic organizer!
- In this graphic organizer, students write:
- Play games with the terms. Playing games with vocabulary terms will help students understand and internalize word meanings in a fun and non-threatening environment. For example:
- Pictionary: Students draw a picture illustrating the vocabulary terms in this game.
- First, compile your vocabulary list.
- Next, divide your students into groups and give each student a whiteboard or piece of paper to draw on.
- Then, have one person from each group come up to the front and secretly read the word they are assigned to draw.
- Finally, the student shows their drawing to their group, and they guess what word they think the drawing is illustrating. The group that guesses the word first wins a point!
- Pictionary: Students draw a picture illustrating the vocabulary terms in this game.
Why I Chose these Early Republic Words
When searching for vocabulary words, I tried to include a mix of words students would experience throughout their study of social studies (like reform) as well as words that are more specific to studying the Early Republic (like the Market Revolution). I also chose words students would likely encounter multiple times in my Early Republic unit!
15 Early Republic Words
- Political Party – A group of people that share similar goals and opinions about government
- Inauguration – A ceremony introducing a new president into office
- Precedent – An example or guide
- Foreign Policy – A government’s plan of action in dealing with other nations
- Domestic Policy – A government’s plan of action in dealing with issues and needs in their own country
- Neutrality – A country that doesn’t favor any side in a dispute involving other countries
- Embargo – When a government refuses to trade with another country
- Nullify – To make something invalid
- Monroe Doctrine – President Monroe’s foreign policy stating that European countries should not interfere in the Americas
- Immigrant – A person who moves from their home country to live in a new country
- Nativism – The practice of favoring native-born citizens over immigrants
- Market Revolution – A change in the United States’ market system (how buyers and sellers trade for products and services)
- Industrial Revolution – A change in how people made goods
- Abolitionist – A person who fights for the ending of slavery
- Reform – Changing wrong or bad conditions to make them better
Download the FREE Early Republic Vocabulary List
I hope these tips and resources help to make vocabulary learning more exciting and meaningful in your classroom.
Download the free Early Republic vocabulary list here!
Need more help teaching about the Early Republic?
Are you looking for more resources to help you teach the Early Republic*? (*link to the Early Republic tag once created & fix links below once these blog posts are posted)
- 3-Week Early Republic Unit: This all-inclusive unit provides interactive lesson plans that will keep your students engaged and help them learn the information in a meaningful way.
- Early Republic Primary Sources: An outline of 5 primary sources, complete with teaching suggestions. I have also created a compilation of primary sources for several other U.S. History topics as well!
- Early Republic Picture Books: 8 powerful picture books to help bring the Early Republic to life in your classroom.
- Early Republic Videos: An overview of 5 videos teaching all about the Early Republic.
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