Word Ladder

Worked classroom example

English

Worked example

For Word Ladder, use the English term “perspective” from a unit on persuasive writing. Learners link a base word to a related form and explain how the suffix changes its grammatical job. For example, they can sketch or select a case that fits, then explain why a plausible near-miss does not.

Use this example to make the language move visible. Select subject content appropriate to the class’s age and prior knowledge.

Teaching sequence

1. Choose one essential term and prepare related terms from everyday to technical for Word Ladder. Give learners a moment to retrieve what they know before showing a definition, translation or completed model.
2. Learners work with meaning, form and context: Link a base word to a related form and explain how the suffix changes its grammatical job. Invite them to connect a visual, example or related term to the concept, and explain a borderline case.
3. Use this check: “Can you use this word accurately in a new subject example?” Ask learners to use the word in a fresh context without copying the model; note whether their example shows the meaning accurately.

Try it in your next lesson

Prepare

Use related terms from everyday to technical. Choose a second example that checks the same language move without repeating the original answer.

Classroom task

Introduce related terms from everyday to technical. Learners connect the target word to an example, image or related term before using it.

Check independent transfer

Use one new word from the same family or scale and ask learners to infer its meaning, then verify it in context.

Collect a response on fresh content. Note what was achieved without the model, partner or teacher prompt, then choose one next teaching step.

Teacher language

Teacher language

Can you use this word accurately in a new subject example?

Respond to the learner

Identify one successful meaning or language choice. Ask about one gap, allow thinking time, then invite a revision. Check the revised move again on a fresh example.

Adjust support and challenge

Offer a brief model, useful vocabulary and partner rehearsal where needed. Keep the subject goal; reduce one prompt on fresh content and record what was independent.

Teaching this skill → · Age and language support →

More support

Use an image, object, bilingual gloss and contrasting example. Retrieve the word in a new sentence rather than repeat a definition only. Allow familiar-language notes or another response mode when checking subject understanding.

Greater independence

Change the content, evidence or audience. Remove the completed model and ask learners to explain a choice. Increase subject complexity only when it fits the curriculum and prior knowledge.

Choose the next step

If subject meaning is insecure, reteach the concept. If the concept is understood but the English is unclear, model one useful language relationship and invite a fresh response.