It refers to using the context, the sound, the structure, and as a last resort, the dictionary to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. After students learn the formula, they can apply it to any situation. Provide them with practice by giving them a selection with underlined words. Ask them to define the words and then to declare which of the steps helped them unlock the meanings. A personal dictionary requires students to self-select the terms to be learned.
Pictures can be useful in helping students to remember definitions.
One approach is to distribute a range of pictures and a stack of sticky notes and then to have the students look for pictures that can be associated with the words. They should use the sticky notes to write the words. Another approach is to help students search for pictures in collections of clip art or via the internet to associate with the words. Rewriting is similar to translating. Give students a poem with high level vocabulary.