5 Ws & H

Hannah Yancey & Maggie Jones

Introduction
The purpose of the 5 Ws and an H strategy is to ensure
students truly own a word.
The strategy works best with a difficult, academic word
or a word that is often misused.
Works well as part of standardized test prep or as part of
a lesson!

How to use this strategy

There are several steps to follow for this strategy and it works best if students are given a
graphic organizer.
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.

Introduce students to the lesson by sharing examples of words that are often
misused. This will show them the importance of truly knowing a word.
Explain to students why its so important for them to know academic vocabulary. For
example, academic words are often used across disciplines, in conversation, and in
testing situations.
Use the organizer to guide students through the 5 Ws and H of a specific word.
As a class, Brainstorm other ways for students to know a word (definition,
synonyms, examples).
Give students time to add this word to note cards or notebooks.
Take the opportunity to revisit words that have previously been taught!

5 Ws & H
WHO

Who would be most likely to use this word?

WHAT

What other words are in this words family? (what else could this word
mean?)

WHEN

When would you be most likely to use this word?

WHERE

Where did this word originate?

WHY

Why would you choose this word rather than a similar word?

HOW

How will you remember this word?

Trumans Speech
A quote:
We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly and completely every
productive enterprise the Japanese have above ground in any city. We shall
destroy their docks, their factories, and their communications. Let there be no
mistake; we shall completely destroy Japan's power to make war.

Now you try!

We are now prepared to obliterate more
rapidly and completely every productive
enterprise the Japanese have above ground
in any city. We shall destroy their docks,
their factories, and their communications.
Let there be no mistake; we shall
completely destroy Japan's power to make war.

5 Ws & H
WHO

Those looking to accentuate language in a text

WHAT

obliteration, obliterator

WHEN

Novel Setting (?) (Could have multiple answers)

WHERE

Latin origin

WHY

Sounds better than just saying destroyed, diminished

HOW

From this Presentation and Trumans Speech of course!

Obliterate

obliterate

destroy utterly; wipe out.

We are now prepared to obliterate more rapidly
and completely every productive enterprise
the Japanese have above ground in any city.
We shall destroy their docks, their factories,
and their communications. Let there be
no mistake; we shall completely destroy
Japan's power to make war.

Works Cited
Allen, J. (2014). 5 W's and H of Knowing a Word. In Tools for Teaching Academic Vocabulary. Stenhouse.

Harry S. Truman Library, "Army press notes," box 4, Papers of Eben A. Ayers.
The Learning Toolbox - 5W1H. (n.d.). Retrieved April 3, 2015, from http://coe.jmu.edu/learningtoolbox/5w1h.html