One way to ensure student success in chemistry is holding students accountable for learning vocabulary terms and providing frequent practice. It’s so important for students to have a robust chemistry vocabulary for their understanding of the content. I tell my students that “chemistry is a language.” There’s so much specialized language and new complex terms and concepts. And not knowing the terms can make it difficult for students to be successful! It’s essential for students to learn (and better yet, master) new chemistry terms early on.
Prioritizing vocabulary instruction is one of the most effective ways teachers can help students retain key information, make connections across concepts, and feel more confident in tackling challenging material.
Why Chemistry Vocabulary Matters
Chemistry is like learning a new language. Every concept has its own unique set of terms, and understanding these terms directly impacts a student’s ability to grasp the subject. Teaching vocabulary does more than help students define words. It provides the groundwork for understanding chemistry itself. When students comprehend chemistry vocabulary, they’re better equipped to follow lectures, ask meaningful questions, and apply what they’ve learned in lab activities.
Vocabulary is also a key component in scientific literacy. For students, especially those planning to pursue STEM fields, learning to communicate effectively with correct terminology is critical. It’s up to you to make sure that your students are taught the correct terms. You can also help them to avoid misconceptions and lay the groundwork for success in future science courses.
Assessment
There are so many chemistry questions that I read on worksheets, in workbooks, in textbooks and standardized tests that have a strong focus in vocabulary. I mean, I even wrote 350 test questions for my Final Exam Pack, and plenty of them are vocabulary centered questions. For example:
| Which of the following, can’t be broken down by chemical means? A) carbon dioxide, B) silicon, C) ammonia, D) water
That question require students to know that ELEMENTS can’t be broken down by chemical means. In fact, the question, is effectively the definition of an element and the answer choices ask for an example of an element. These questions are really basic, but they require students to have a strong chemistry vocabulary. I mean, if they were to have that strong vocabulary this question would almost be laughable it’s so easy!
Benefits of a Vocabulary-Centric Approach in Chemistry
- Improves Knowledge Retention: Chemistry terms and definitions are often revisited in various contexts throughout the course. When students understand the terminology, they’re more likely to retain knowledge over time and draw on it as they learn new material.
- Boosts Confidence in Science: When students can use vocabulary correctly, they feel more confident participating in class discussions and hands-on activities. This can foster a sense of ownership and accomplishment in the subject. And what teacher doesn’t love students taking accountability?!
- Keep it Simple: Chemistry concepts are cumulative in nature, always building on previous topics. Students can’t learn periodic table without first really understanding atomic theory. By familiarizing students with key vocabulary early on, you make it easier for students to understand complex ideas without getting lost in unfamiliar language. When you introduce Mendeelev’s Periodic Table, students will quickly identify it is organized by atomic mass and the Modern Periodic Table is organized by atomic number. See? That’s two critical vocab terms and can make your History of the Periodic Table lesson a lot smoother!
- Encourages Critical Thinking: Vocabulary comprehension allows students to engage with content at a deeper level, as they’re not simply memorizing terms but understanding and applying them. This approach encourages analytical thinking as students start seeing connections between different areas of chemistry.
How to Make Vocabulary a Priority
- Start with Basics: Begin each unit with a vocabulary preview, highlighting critical terms students will encounter. I give my students a simple homework assignment to look up the words and their definitions in my chemistry glossary. Then I know they’ve at least seen the term once before I teach it in class. They also have something to study from.
- Incorporate Routine Review: Build regular vocabulary review into lessons, such as quick quizzes, flashcards, or interactive activities, ensuring students revisit terms throughout the course. For each unit within my curriculum, I have a vocabulary puzzle pack. You can check them out on TPT. They have a crossword, a joke puzzle, matching quizzes, interactive dominoes and flash cards. I really enjoy using them in my classes! Read more about vocabulary practice in this post.
- Make It Relevant: Connect vocabulary terms to lab activities and real-world applications. This contextual learning helps students see the purpose behind the language. This is tough to do in chemistry. I’ll give it to you. Do what you can. Sometimes it’s best to let the students try to do this for you and you give them the affirmative if their explanation makes sense.
- Encourage Self-Assessment: Provide students with vocabulary based assignments, bell ringer questions and lecture check ins to assess their understanding regularly, which can help them identify terms they need to revisit.
By making vocabulary instruction an essential part of your chemistry curriculum, you’re not only helping students learn individual terms but also building their capacity to engage deeply with chemistry, ensuring student success. Establishing a strong vocabulary foundation leads to more confident and capable students.
