Creating Unit Glossaries with TeamTeacher.ai

Why This Matters

Creating comprehensive unit glossaries is more than just listing vocabulary - it's about removing barriers to understanding for all your students. By applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, we can create vocabulary resources that anticipate and eliminate common obstacles to learning, ensuring every student can access and engage with key concepts.

Getting Started with Our AI Teaching Team

Our AI agents, including IB curriculum specialist Minerva, combine deep knowledge of educational frameworks with practical teaching expertise to help you create effective, barrier-free glossaries. Here's your step-by-step guide to collaboration:

Step 1: Set Your Foundation 🌱

UDL Connection: Clear, consistent academic language removes barriers to concept understanding.

Start your conversation with prompts like:

"I need help creating a glossary for my [subject/unit]. Here is my unit material: [paste unit content]. Please identify key terms that students need to understand."

"Let's create a glossary for [topic] that anticipates and removes common barriers to understanding these concepts."

"What aspects of this vocabulary might create barriers to learning, and how can we address them proactively?"

Step 2: Build Your Knowledge Base 📚

UDL Connection: Multiple entry points to understanding reduce barriers to engagement with new concepts.

Expand your glossary with prompts like:

"Here is another glossary/resource that covers similar content: [paste content]. Can you review these terms and incorporate relevant ones into our glossary?"

"Can you search the IB knowledge base to ensure our definitions align with MYP/DP standards for [subject area]?"

"How can we connect these terms to concrete examples that make the concepts immediately accessible?"

Step 3: Refine and Organize 🔍

UDL Connection: Clear organization and consistent structure reduce cognitive load and allow focus on content.

Shape your resource with prompts like:

"Could you separate these terms into topic-specific vocabulary and academic/assessment terminology?"

"Please organize these terms alphabetically and ensure each entry includes a clear definition and related terms to build strong conceptual networks."

"How can we structure this glossary to minimize barriers to accessing and using the information?"

Step 4: Review and Enhance 🌳

UDL Connection: Comprehensive review ensures we've addressed potential barriers systematically.

Finalize your glossary with prompts like:

"Can you review our glossary and identify any remaining barriers to understanding these concepts?"

"Looking at our unit's Statement of Inquiry: [paste SOI], what additional support might students need to fully engage with these ideas?"

"Before we finish, could you review everything we've created and suggest any areas where we might need:
- More straightforward explanations of complex concepts
- Additional examples or applications
- Clearer connections between related terms
- Stronger links to unit objectives"

Making It Work in Your Classroom

Barrier-Free Template:

[Term]
📝 Clear Definition: [Straightforward explanation]
💡 In Practice: [Concrete example]
🌍 Real-World Connection: [Practical application]
🔗 Related Terms: [Concept network]

Practical Tips:

• Build your glossary during unit planning to align with learning objectives
• Use our AI agents' knowledge of different frameworks to ensure comprehensive coverage
• Save successful formats as templates for future units
• Import existing documents and resources to analyze and to build upon
• Create clear pathways between basic and advanced concepts

Remember: You're not just creating a word list; you're building clear pathways to understanding for everyone in your classroom.

Start a conversation with our AI agents, import your unit documents or simply copy and paste into the conversation, and let's create something amazing together. Because you deserve support in creating learning experiences that work for all of your students, right from the start. ✨