Semantic Maps
What is it and what does the research say?
“Semantic mapping is a visual strategy for vocabulary expansion and extension of knowledge by displaying in categories words related to one another" (Kholi, & Sharifafar, 2013). These almost graphic organizers are not pre-made, but made by the students to help "web" out their ideas.
Semantic maps go beyond just a graphic organizer. Their strength is “an adaptation of concept definition mapping but [it] builds on students’ background knowledge or schema. While drawing on prior knowledge, it recognizes important components and shows the relationships among them" (Kholi, & Sharifafar, 2013). This building on previous knowledge is extremely important for their development of vocabulary. It's been well documented by researches that “Instructional activities that allow for a visual display of words and promote students' comparing and contrasting of new words to known words can be a beneficial means for increasing their vocabulary knowledge" (Rupley, Logan, & Nichols, 1998). |
Examples of a semantic maps and uses
An example of a semantic word map can be found above. The word "Transportation" is broken down into three main types of possible transportation. Air, Water, Land forms of travel are broken down. A student who is trying to understand what "Transportation" means, may be guided towards discussing forms of transportation they are familiar with, such as a boat, car, or airplane.
A second example, which might be used in a science classroom, is to help students break down and understand the different forms of rocks. A student may understand what a rock is, but they may not understand what a sedimentary rock is and what types they can be. By using a hierarchy style list similar to the ones below, a student can make multiple connections to a single vocabulary word. This is a great way to break down and expand new vocabulary.
A second example, which might be used in a science classroom, is to help students break down and understand the different forms of rocks. A student may understand what a rock is, but they may not understand what a sedimentary rock is and what types they can be. By using a hierarchy style list similar to the ones below, a student can make multiple connections to a single vocabulary word. This is a great way to break down and expand new vocabulary.
Video Examples of Semantic Mapping
Two videos are presented below. The first video on the left shows a teacher assisting students to read through a childrens' book and develop a way to recall the story by "mapping" out what they remember. Students are asked to recall what they remember then spell out those components. Like, spider: "S-P-I-D-E-R." So students practice spelling, recalling, and working together to solve problems such as spelling and story-recall. Once students help recall the animals, they are asked to try and group them.
The second video, on the right, shows a teacher discussing various objects and how mapping them, or grouping them, can be beneficial to understanding an overall concept. This second video really begins around 3:30 in.
The second video, on the right, shows a teacher discussing various objects and how mapping them, or grouping them, can be beneficial to understanding an overall concept. This second video really begins around 3:30 in.
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Online Resources for Semantic Mapping
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/booknook/using-semantic-maps-to-develop-word-meaning/
Examples of how to work with semantic word maps
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/jonescd/projects/educ530/aboxley/pdffiles/3.pdf
A semantic word map work sheet
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/connecting-word-meanings-through-semantic-mapping
Informative website for semantic word mapping
https://bubbl.us/
Online too that can be used to create an interactive word map with multiple inputs
http://powerupwhatworks.org/strategy-guide/semantic-mapping
An informative website with slide show on how to integrate semantic mapping.
Examples of how to work with semantic word maps
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/jonescd/projects/educ530/aboxley/pdffiles/3.pdf
A semantic word map work sheet
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/connecting-word-meanings-through-semantic-mapping
Informative website for semantic word mapping
https://bubbl.us/
Online too that can be used to create an interactive word map with multiple inputs
http://powerupwhatworks.org/strategy-guide/semantic-mapping
An informative website with slide show on how to integrate semantic mapping.
References
Khoii, R., & Sharififar, S. (2013). Memorization versus semantic mapping in L2 vocabulary acquisition. ELT Journal: English Language Teachers Journal, 67(2), 199-209.
Rupley, W. H., Logan, J. W., & Nichols, W. D. (1998). Vocabulary instruction in a balanced reading program. Reading Teacher, 52(4), 336.
Rupley, W. H., Logan, J. W., & Nichols, W. D. (1998). Vocabulary instruction in a balanced reading program. Reading Teacher, 52(4), 336.