Vocabulary Across Subjects

Think about the word "table." At dinner, a table is furniture with four legs. But in math class, a table is a chart with rows and columns that organizes numbers. The letters are the same, but the meaning changes because the subject changes.

This happens a lot in school books. Authors use the same word in math, science, and social studies, but each subject gives the word its own special job.

Table: In math, a table is a chart that shows numbers in rows and columns. At home, a table is furniture you eat on.

Key: On a map in social studies, a key explains what the symbols mean. In everyday life, a key opens a lock.

Cell: In science, a cell is the tiny living part that makes up plants and animals. In everyday talk, a cell can be a small room.

Volume: In math and science, volume tells how much space is inside a shape or container. Volume can also mean how loud a sound is.

Region: In social studies, a region is a large area of land that shares the same land or weather. It is a bigger idea than just one town.

Force: In science, a force is a push or a pull that moves or stops an object. In everyday speech, force can mean strength.

When you read a word that could mean two things, look at the sentence around it. This is called using context clues. Ask yourself: what subject am I reading about right now?

If a sentence says, "The map key shows a star for the capital city," you know you are reading social studies, so key means the part that explains symbols. If a sentence says, "Use your key to open the front door," you are reading about everyday life, so key means a tool for a lock.

Try this strategy every time you meet a word that seems familiar but does not quite make sense. Reread the sentence. Look at the subject of the page. Then decide which meaning fits best.

Sort a list of words into three groups: math words, science words, and social studies words. Then write one sentence for each word using its school subject meaning.

Pick a word with two meanings, like table or key. Draw two small pictures, one for each meaning, and write a caption under each picture.

Read a short passage from a science or social studies book. Circle any word that could also mean something different at home, and explain the difference out loud.

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