Description
The MELVA-S Science Dictionary supports teachers in providing quality science vocabulary instruction. It contains definitions in Spanish and English for target science vocabulary words, images, example sentences, and the part of speech. Teachers can use the results of MELVA-S to identify key words to review and then use the content in this dictionary to support instruction.
The purpose of the MELVA-S project is to develop an online formative assessment that measures the science vocabulary knowledge of Latinx bilingual students with different levels of English and Spanish language proficiencies. Results from the assessments can be used to progress monitor students, help teachers differentiate language and vocabulary instruction, and provide additional science vocabulary supports within a response to intervention approach.
The MELVA-S team has also created a Frayer Model Guide for Science to offer practical examples and lesson outlines for how to teach these terms.
Recommended Citation
Baker, D. L., Kowalkowski, H. P., Telleache, A., Moradibavi, S., Sha, H., Souza, S., Russell, S., & Conde-Holman, G. (2025). The MELVA-S science dictionary. The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk.