How to Introduce Command Terms

One can start introducing command terms by showing students how they will be used on a regular basis. The IB suggests several ways in which teachers can do this:

It is important to share command terms with students early on and practice them so that there is no confusion when they are used when describing the steps in an assessment.

Although students may use the same command terms across all of their subjects it can take time to become familiar with and confident regarding what is required in each one. Be empathetic as they are balancing many subjects and expectations.

An example classroom activity:

• Students are divided into 8 groups.

• Each group is given a list of command terms from a subject guide.

• Each group must create a visual glossary of the terms to share with the rest of the class. A glossary entry must have the term, a shortened definition, and a small graphic to represent the action.

• Have groups present their visual glossaries to the rest of the class through a formal presentation or gallery walk.

• Extension: have the students find the most commonly used command terms or the subjects with the most command terms in common. Ask them why certain terms are used frequently and why certain subjects have more overlap than others.

• Extension 2: are there any different interpretations amongst the subjects of the same command term?