| name | vocabulary-select |
| description | Select key academic vocabulary for a topic or text passage and return definitions, tiers, and teaching suggestions. Use this atom when lesson-planner or any content skill needs to identify vocabulary that students must know. Do NOT use for vocabulary assessment — that is atom-assessment-item. |
vocabulary-select
Identifies 5-10 key vocabulary words for a topic/passage, classified by Marzano tier (1/2/3) with student-friendly definitions and teaching suggestions. References the Coxhead Academic Word List when applicable.
Input
{
"topic": "photosynthesis",
"grade": "5",
"subject": "Science",
"text_passage": "During photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose...",
"max_words": 6
}
Output
{
"tool": "vocabulary-select",
"vocabulary": [
{"word": "photosynthesis", "tier": 3, "definition": "The process plants use to turn sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food (glucose) and oxygen", "teaching_suggestion": "Use a diagram showing inputs/outputs; connect to students' experience with plants growing toward light"},
{"word": "convert", "tier": 2, "definition": "To change from one form to another", "teaching_suggestion": "AWL word — connect to math conversions students already know"}
],
"awl_words_found": ["convert"],
"human_review_required": true
}
Do NOT use this atom for
- Vocabulary assessment or quizzes (use atom-assessment-item)
- Full glossary creation
- Vocabulary for texts not yet selected (provide topic or passage)
Pipeline note
Follows references/method.md at the Analysis step (vocabulary selection). Output conforms to references/metadata-schema.md. human_review_required: true — vocabulary selection depends on students' prior knowledge; teacher should adjust.
