Pre-Teach Less
Pre-teach only the few words learners need to access the upcoming text; leave the rest for reading in context.
Worked model: Pre-Teach Less
- 1Preview the text
- 2Select a small number
- 3Give a quick encounter
- 4Meet words in context
Science: Use a Frayer-style model for evaporation: define it, sketch it, give a puddle example and distinguish it from boiling.
Teach the move
Prepare · 5 minutes
Use the four steps with a short task from this week’s subject lesson; collect one response from every learner.
- 1
Preview the text: Identify words that block the main idea if unknown.
- 2
Select a small number: Keep only essential terms, not every unfamiliar word.
- 3
Give a quick encounter: Use an image, example or short student-friendly definition.
- 4
Meet words in context: Return to the text and infer the remaining vocabulary.
EAL upgrade
Keep the subject goal and source intact. Offer one brief model, visual or language prompt, then give learners time to try it independently.
Keep the subject challenge. Offer one model, visual or language prompt where needed, then check a fresh independent response.
Try it tomorrow
Use the four steps with a short task from this week’s subject lesson; collect one response from every learner.
Preview the text: Identify words that block the main idea if unknown. Select a small number: Keep only essential terms, not every unfamiliar word.
Look for an independent response that shows the subject relationship, not only repetition of the model. Compare it with the task goal and identify the next useful teaching step.
Keep the subject goal and source intact. Offer one brief model, visual or language prompt, then give learners time to try it independently.
What to look for
Look for an independent response that shows the subject relationship, not only repetition of the model. Compare it with the task goal and identify the next useful teaching step.
Teacher language
Adapt these prompts to the task and your learners.
Our purpose is: Pre-teach only the few words learners need to access the upcoming text; leave the rest for reading in context.
What helped you make sense of that?” “Show how your evidence supports your answer.
Try the new case on your own. Show the detail or reasoning that supports your answer.
Which support do you still need, and which part can you now do independently?
Across subjects
Maths: Sort examples of equivalent fractions and explain why 2/3 and 4/6 belong together.
Humanities: Compare two sources about migration and name one useful similarity and difference.
English: Build a word network for “isolated” using a quotation, image, synonym and original sentence.
Adjust language support
Use a small word bank, visuals and partner rehearsal when needed. Extend with precise explanations and qualifications. Judge the support from the response to this task.