Strategy Folder
Amanda Holder
Drexel University
Holder-Strategy Folder 2
Writing Strategy
Graphic Organizers
Description:
The use of graphic organizers is an important strategy to use when developing an elementary
student’s writing skills. Graphic organizers can be used to plan out a paragraph, an essay, or a
response to a question. There are many graphic organizers that can be used to help students
create pieces of writing. The use of graphic organizers help students stay on track with their
writing as well as include everything necessary for their writing piece. “Graphic Organizers can
be used to help students get their thoughts in order before they begin to draft their assignment”
During a lesson about writing, such as learning to write persuasively, a teacher would be able to
hand out a graphic organizer to help the students plan their writing piece. This graphic organizer
will help the students generate and copy down their ideas. Graphic organizers can be used in any
lesson that a student is asked to craft a writing piece. The graphic organizer should be given out
in the beginning of the drafting process so that students can plan the outline of their writing. An
example of a graphic organizer that can be used to develop a paragraph is on the following page.
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West
Virginia Department of Education. (2017). Graphic Organizers for Writing. Retrieved June
Writing Strategy
The Highlighting Strategy
Description:
The Highlighting Strategy is a strategy which uses highlighting of main ideas and supporting
details to help parents teach children to improve the organization of their writing” (Rogers, n.d.)
The Highlighting Strategy can be extremely useful when helping students identify different parts
of writing. Especially in the editing process, The Highlighting Strategy can help students find the
essential parts of their writing to ensure that their writing is fluent and cohesive. In this strategy,
a student should take different colored highlighters and find the topic sentences, concluding
sentences, and detail sentences in their writing during the revision process to ensure all their
information is included.
This strategy can be implemented during the revision part of a writing lesson. Students can be
asked to review their writing or a friend’s writing. During this peer review or self review,
students can be asked to identify the different parts that should be included in their writing
pieces. This will not only help the person’s paper that is being edited, but the person editing will
work on their skills being able to identify topic sentences, concluding sentences, etc.
Rogers, K. (n.d.). The Highlighting Strategy. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://gse.buffalo.edu/org/writingstrategies/3-6highlighting.htm
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Holder-Strategy Folder 6
Writing Strategy
Journal Writing
Description:
Journal writing is a useful strategy when it comes to developing the creativeness in students.
“Writing in journals can be a powerful strategy for students to respond to literature, gain writing
fluency, dialogue in writing with another student or the teacher, or write in the content areas”
(Cox, 2012). Daily journal writing allows students to choose their topic of writing as well as
develop their writing skills. In journal writing, there can also be use of specific prompts to get
the students thinking about their personal connections with topics in class. Journal writing can
also give the students and opportunity to be a bit less formal in their writing.
I would not specifically add this to just one lesson plan, but I believe that students should journal
write every day. For instance, as a wrap up in a Kindergarten classroom, students should be
asked to write a journal entry. In this time, students can work together to sound out words and
ask a teacher for help, sometimes this is referred to as Kid Writing. Students have the
opportunity to share events that happened in their life or even just write about something they
enjoy. Implementing journal writing into a classroom on a daily basis will help students learn to
Cox, C. (2012). Literature Based Teaching in the Content Areas. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
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Publications, Inc.
Writing Strategy
Peer Revision
Description:
This strategy is used when students are in the midst of writing. Peer revision becomes an
important strategy because students have the opportunity to edit other people’s writing. “Such
opportunities to engage in “peer review,” when well planned, can help students improve their
reading and writing skills and learn how to collaborate effectively” (Washington University,
n.d.).. This gives students the opportunity to identify errors themselves instead of having a
teacher give feedback. This also allows children to take responsibility and accountability for
This should be included during the end of a lesson plan that students are doing a writing piece.
Students should be asked to partner up with someone and then edit their writing. During the peer
revision time, the students should also communicate their revision ideas with one another. The
inclusion of peer revision can be in any lesson plan where students are asked to compose a
writing piece.
Washington University. (n.d.). Using Peer Review to Help Students Improve Their Writing.
https://teachingcenter.wustl.edu/resources/writing-assignments-feedback/using-peer-
review-to-help-students-improve-their-writing/
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Writing Strategy
Editing Checklist
Description:
An editing checklist becomes an important strategy in the revision process of writing. An editing
checklist will help students identify the necessary parts of their paper as well as help them revise
their writing or a peer’s writing. The checklist would include components such as topic
sentences, proper grammar, paragraph structure, etc. “This helpful tool will give your students
the opportunity to edit their own writing and then observe as their peers edit the same work”
(ReadWriteThink, n.d.). The students can also compare editing checklists to ensure each student
The editing checklist should be given out during the revision part of a writing lesson. The teacher
should go over the components of the checklist prior to the writing so that students are including
the components in the paper before the revising process. Students should be encouraged to use
the checklist to ensure that the necessary pieces of their writing are provided.
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ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing - ReadWriteThink.
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/editing-checklist-self-peer-
30232.html
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Vocabulary Strategy
Semantic Maps
Description:
“Semantic maps (or graphic organizers) are maps or webs of words. The purpose of creating a
map is to visually display the meaning-based connections between a word or phrase and a set of
related words or concepts” (Zorfass, Gray, & PowerUp WHAT WORKS, 1970). This vocabulary
strategy can help students make connections between words. This will help students strengthen
their vocabulary as well as help them recognize the meanings of words. There are many different
types of semantic maps that can be used for more than just a vocabulary strategy.
The strategy of semantic mapping should be used in a lesson where students are asked to make
connections between words. For instance, if there is a lesson being taught with the use of a word
that’s unfamiliar to students, semantic mapping can help students connect the word with other
words and meanings so that they can better understand the vocabulary presented. THerefore,
semantic mapping can be used in any lesson that is introducing new and challenging vocabulary
to students.
Zorfass, J., Gray, T., & PowerUp WHAT WORKS. (1970, January 01). Connecting Word
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/connecting-word-meanings-through-semantic-
mapping
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Vocabulary Strategy
KIM Chart
Description:
“The KIM vocabulary chart is simple to use and can be done as a student handout or students can
set up pages in their notebook for this strategy. The strategy is based upon a 3 column graphic
organizer. Students write the key term (K) in the left column, information (I) about that term in
the middle column, and provide a memory clue (M) in the form of a drawing in the last column.”
(Kenan Fellows, n.d.). This is a super beneficial strategy to use when learning new and
challenging vocabulary. Students can make connections with their own memory clue.
This can be used in the beginning of any lesson when new vocabulary is being introduced. In the
beginning of the lesson, the teacher should hand out one of these charts for students to fill out
about the new vocabulary that will be covered in the lesson. This chart will also serve as a
Kenan Fellows. (n.d.). Vocabulary Strategies. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
https://kenanfellows.org/kfp-cp-sites/cp20/cp20/sites/kfp-cp
sites.localhost.com.cp20/files/Resources.pdf
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Vocabulary Strategy
Contextual Redefinition
Description:
that helps students learn the importance of context clues in understanding the meaning of a word
or concept” (Allen, 2007). This is an important skill to use in vocabulary decoding for students.
By teaching this skill, students will better understand how to figure out the meaning of a word
they are unfamiliar with by looking at the text and information surrounding the word. By using
this skill, teachers will instill the ability for their students to make good inferences about what a
This skill can be used in a lesson plan where students are asked to read a passage that may
contain unfamiliar words. A full lesson could be dedicated to this strategy by providing students
with multiple opportunity to infer what a word means based on context clues. This is a very
important strategy to use in many different types of lessons that include words that children may
not know.
Allen, J. (2007). Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary. Retrieved June 14,
2017, from
http://www.blwd.k12.pa.us/schools/es/readii/Shared%20Documents/Vocabulary/Context
ual%20Definition.pdf
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Vocabulary Strategy
PAVE Procedure
Description:
“This vocabulary strategy encourages students to predict an unknown word’s meaning by using
context clues, and to verify it through the use of a dictionary” (FL History Strategies, n.d.). The
procedure can be written and displayed in a classroom to help students with decoding
vocabulary. The steps of the procedure are as follows: Predict, Associate, Verify, Evaluate.
This can be used in a lesson plan itself when talking about specific vocabulary. I would have
students become familiar with this procedure in a lesson dedicated to researching the meanings
of words through a dictionary. The lesson could have a base concepts for decoding vocabulary,
FL History Strategies. (n.d.). The PAVE Procedure. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat/references/pdf/vo4.pdf
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Vocabulary Strategy
Word Banks
Description:
Word banks help students remember words that they may have learned throughout the year. The
strategy of asking a student to keep word banks or even keeping a class word bank will help
students learn words and their meanings. “Words can either be collected on a large chart for
group reference (Word Wall), or they can be collected in a personal collection of words for
This can be used in any lesson that has vocabulary for the student to remember. Word banks will
become especially handy in lessons that follow because students will be able to revisit the word
University of Virginia. (2010). Phonics and Word Study: Instructional Activities to Develop
http://www.readingfirst.virginia.edu/prof_dev/phonics/iadswv.html#wall
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Comprehension Strategy
Summarizing
Description:
Summarizing may sound like a general strategy used in teaching comprehension, but it’s crucial
for students when talking about understanding the text they are reading. Students should always
be asked to summarize in some type of way after a reading of a text to reinforce the information
they just read. “There is extensive research that shows that summarization is among the top nine
most effective teaching strategies in the history of education (Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock,
At the end of a lesson, students could be asked to write on an exit slip the main ideas of a
passage they read or lesson they learned to summarize the main idea of the topics discussed.
assessment form.
https://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/summarization.html
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Comprehension Strategy
Generating Questions
Description:
“Question Generation is a strategy that assists students with their comprehension of text.
Students learn to formulate and respond to questions about situations, facts, and ideas while
engaged in understanding a text. During this process, there are several different types of
Generating questions can be used in a lesson plan where students were asked to read a passage
and then they can get with a partner to ask each other questions in regards to the text and their
feelings towards the text. This strategy will help students understand the text and the ideas
presented.
All About Adolescent Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://www.adlit.org/strategies/22093/
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Comprehension Strategy
Literature Circles
Description:
“Literature circles provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they
read, discuss, and respond to books” (Hill, Noe, & Johnson, 2001). These circles create a
connection between students to communicate their ideas and discuss the books they are reading.
These discussions are student lead and give the group an opportunity to generate their own
topics.
A literature circle can be implemented in a lesson plan where students are reading the same
passage. The teacher can ask students to get into groups and discuss what they’ve read. It’s
important to emphasize that it’s student led discussion so that they have the opportunity to
Bonnie Hill, Katherine Noe, & Nancy Johnson. (2001). Overview of Literature Circles.
Comprehension Strategy
DR-TA
Description:
The Directed Reading Thinking Activity (DRTA) is a comprehension strategy that guides
students in asking questions about a text, making predictions, and then reading to confirm or
refute their predictions” (ReadingRockets, n.d.). Students learn to make predictions based on
their prior knowledge and then identify whether or not their prediction was correct. This is not
This skill can be used in a lesson plan where students are reading a novel. The teacher can hand
out this organizer to help students make predictions throughout a book and then verify the
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/drta
Comprehension Strategy
SQ3R
Description:
SQ3R stands for “Survey! Question! Read! Recite! Review!”. “SQ3R will help you build a
framework to understand your reading assignment” (Study Guides and Strategies, n.d.) This
strategy is a great way to instruct students how to process their reading of a passage. A graphic
organizer can be made for this process to make it easier for students to review the reading. This
method should be displayed in the classroom to help students remember what to do when reading
This could be used in any lesson where the student is asked to read a long passage. This will
provide the student with a step by step method in helping them analyze and understand the text
given to them. This strategy could be integrated into the lesson as a way to help study text, or the
Study Guides and Strategies. (n.d.). SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm
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Phonic Strategy
Matching Books
Description:
“Careful pairing of reading with phonics study gives children a chance to apply what they are
learning about letters and sounds to the reading of words and stories” (Reading Rockets, n.d.).
This is an important connection that should be made between phonics and reading. Students will
When a specific lesson concerning a phonics feature is introduced, a reading should be included
to reinforce the concept introduced. The teacher should review the lesson, and find a book or
passage that helps the students practice the new phonics feature they’ve learned.
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Matching Books to Phonics Features. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/matching_books_to_phonics_features
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Phonics Strategy
Word/Alphabet Matching
Description:
“Very young learners are developing their understanding of the alphabetic principle — the
understanding that there are systematic and predictable relationships between written letters and
spoken sounds” (ReadingRockets, n.d.). Consistent practice with matching letters and words to
other letters, words, or visuals will help the students phonics skills. By creating a system where
students can recognize relationships between sounds, words, and letters, they will be able to
This can be used as a beginning lesson plan for younger ages. When teaching the alphabet, the
teacher should introduce each letter with a noun for the students to hear the sound in. For
instance, A-Apple, B-Boy, and C-Cat. This can also be something that is practiced throughout
different lessons when other concepts are introduced. These relationships can also be displayed
in the classroom so that students can visually connect the sounds to the letters as well.
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Alphabet Matching. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/alphabet_matching
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Phonics Strategy
Air Writing
Description:
“Air writing helps children remember letter formation, which is a motion-oriented "memory,"
and which is an entirely different (and separate) memory than the visual memories of letter
shapes” (Ratz, n.d.). Students are asked to write letters in the air with their finger to work on
letter formation as well as phonics. By giving the students this strategy, they will be able to
When students are learning about letters (more likely in younger grades), in a lesson, students
should be encouraged to write the letters in the air to remember the letter shapes by motion. This
can be incorporated in any lesson where students are learning about specific units of language.
http://www.progressivephonics.com/alphabet/capital-letters/221-air-writing
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Phonics Strategy
Phoneme Counting
Description:
“Reading teachers must have expert ability to count phonemes because they must help children
connect letters to phonemes in phonics and spelling work” (Auburn University, n.d.). This skill is
something that a teacher must have to help students progress through phonics lessons.
This skill can be used in a lesson where the teacher is explaining different sounds in words. By
helping children sound out words, they will have an easier time decoding words in the future.
Auburn University. (n.d.). How to Count Phonemes in Spoken Words. Retrieved June 14, 2017,
from http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/phoncount.html
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Phonic Strategy
Phoneme Segmentation
Description:
“Phoneme segmentation is the ability to break words down into individual sounds” (Light and
McNaugton, n.d.).This strategy comes in handy when teaching students how to sound out words
or rhyme words. Teaching children to listen for a beginning, middle, and end to a word will help
During a lesson on onsets and rimes, phoneme segmentation can be used to help the students
understand how to sound out the onsets and the rimes of words so that they can categorize them
appropriately. This can also be used in lessons where the students are learning new sight words,
http://aacliteracy.psu.edu/index.php/page/show/id/5/
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Fluency Strategy
Repeated Reading
Description:
Repeated reading is where one piece of writing is read multiple times by the students and the
teacher. “Repeated reading was found to have potentially positive effects on reading
comprehension and no discernible effects on alphabetics, reading fluency, and general reading
achievement for students with learning disabilities” (Repeated Reading Students with Learning
Disabilities, n.d.).
This strategy does not have to be specifically used in a lesson plan. But, in lesson plans where a
piece of writing may be looked over for a few days, the teacher could implement this strategy by
asking the students to read the passage a different way every day, such as choral reading, partner
Repeated Reading Students with Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/EvidenceSnapshot/576
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Fluency Strategy
Model Reading
Description:
Model Reading is an important strategy to use in elementary classrooms because students are
able to listen to and learn from the teacher reading aloud. Teacher should read the text aloud
fluently” (Burkins, 2017) to help model the way the students should read text.
This can be incorporated into any lesson where the whole class is reading the same piece, but I
think that I would make it a daily strategy during a read aloud time. After recess to calm students
down, I think it would be beneficial to do a read aloud of a popular book for the age group
you’re teaching. That way students enjoy the reading and also get to experience modeling of
good fluency.
Burkins. (n.d.). Teacher Read-Aloud That Models Reading for Deep Understanding -
http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teacher-read-al
oud-that-30799.html
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Fluency Strategy
Reader’s Theater
Description:
Reader's Theater offers an entertaining and engaging means of improving fluency and enhancing
comprehension (Bafile, 2013). Reader’s Theater helps the students improve their fluency skills
while also providing the students with the opportunity to have fun when learning. Students
would be given a script and a specific part to read from. Sometimes props can be used or
An entire lesson can be dedicated to acting out a book or scene from a book that the class has
been studying in previous lessons. Reader’s Theater does not just have to be used in the subject
of ELA, but scenes or plays can also be acted out in other subjects such as science or social
studies.
Bafile, C. (2013, November 12). Reader's Theater: Giving Students a Reason to Read Aloud.
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/readers-theater-giving-students-reason-read-aloud
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Fluency Strategy
Partner Reading
Description:
Partner reading is a simple strategy to help students build fluency in their reading and “is a
cooperative learning strategy in which two students work together to read an assigned text”
(Reading Rockets, n.d.). During partner reading, one partner read aloud while the other follows
along and listens. Having the partner listen is important because the partner can help, but is also
This strategy can be used in a lesson plan where students are asked to read a passage. The
students can be paired up and asked to read together. This does not have to be just a reading
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Partner Reading. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/partner_reading
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Fluency Strategy
Choral Reading
Description:
Choral reading is a strategy used to help reading fluency and “is an instructional technique for
incorporating fluency training into the general education setting” (Area Education Agency 267).
Choral reading is when a large group or whole class reads together out loud. This is crucial to
This can be used in any part of a lesson plan where students are reading the same piece of
literature, article, ect. Choral reading also comes in handy when learning new vocab words. The
teacher could ask the students to read words aloud as a class to understand the pronunciation.
267, A. E. (n.d.). Choral Reading | AEA 267 English Language Arts. Retrieved June 14, 2017,
from https://www.aea267.k12.ia.us/english-language-arts/reading/fluency/choral-reading/
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References
All About Adolescent Literacy. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://www.adlit.org/strategies/22093/
Allen, J. (2007). Inside Words: Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary. Retrieved June 14,
2017, from
http://www.blwd.k12.pa.us/schools/es/readii/Shared%20Documents/Vocabulary/Context
ual%20Definition.pdf
Auburn University. (n.d.). How to Count Phonemes in Spoken Words. Retrieved June 14, 2017,
from http://www.auburn.edu/academic/education/reading_genie/phoncount.html
Bafile, C. (2013, November 12). Reader's Theater: Giving Students a Reason to Read Aloud.
giving-students-reason-read-aloud
Bonnie Hill, Katherine Noe, & Nancy Johnson. (2001). Overview of Literature Circles.
Burkins. (n.d.). Teacher Read-Aloud That Models Reading for Deep Understanding -
http://www.readwritethink.org/professional-development/strategy-guides/teacher-read-
aloud-that-30799.html
Cox, C. (2012). Literature Based Teaching in the Content Areas. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications, Inc.
FL History Strategies. (n.d.). The PAVE Procedure. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat/references/pdf/vo4.pdf
Kenan Fellows. (n.d.). Vocabulary Strategies. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
Holder-Strategy Folder 34
https://kenanfellows.org/kfp-cp-sites/cp20/cp20/sites/kfp-cp-
sites.localhost.com.cp20/files/Resources.pdf
http://aacliteracy.psu.edu/index.php/page/show/id/5/
http://www.progressivephonics.com/alphabet/capital-letters/221-air-writing
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Alphabet Matching. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/alphabet_matching
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/drta
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Matching Books to Phonics Features. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/matching_books_to_phonics_features
Reading Rockets. (n.d.). Partner Reading. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/partner_reading
ReadWriteThink. (n.d.). Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing - ReadWriteThink.
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/editing-checklist-self-peer-
30232.html
Repeated Reading Students with Learning Disabilities. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/EvidenceSnapshot/576
Rogers, K. (n.d.). The Highlighting Strategy. Retrieved June 14, 2017, from
http://gse.buffalo.edu/org/writingstrategies/3-6highlighting.htm
Study Guides and Strategies. (n.d.). SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved June 18, 2017, from
http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm
https://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/summarization.html
University of Virginia. (2010). Phonics and Word Study: Instructional Activities to Develop
http://www.readingfirst.virginia.edu/prof_dev/phonics/iadswv.html#wall
Washington University. (n.d.). Using Peer Review to Help Students Improve Their Writing.
https://teachingcenter.wustl.edu/resources/writing-assignments-feedback/using-peer-revie
w-to-help-students-improve-their-writing/
West Virginia Department of Education. (2017). Graphic Organizers for Writing. Retrieved June
WHI | Get lost in what you love. (2017, December 08). Highlighting system uploaded by
https://weheartit.com/entry/231429106#
Zorfass, J., Gray, T., & PowerUp WHAT WORKS. (1970, January 01). Connecting Word
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/connecting-word-meanings-through-semantic-
mapping