Content area vocabulary is a key component to children's success in this subject. Developing content area vocabulary in their students is sometimes a challenge for teachers. There are many strategies to help teachers build and strengthen vocabulary in their classroom. A strategy is a type of graphic organizer called a conceptual definition map. “Using graphic organizers to organize information sometimes gets a bad rap. However, using these tools involves much more than simply putting information into little boxes” (Concept/Definition Maps to Comprehend Curriculum Content, 2011). A concept definition map is a graphic organizer that some teachers use in the classroom to develop vocabulary. A concept definition map is an excellent way to build vocabulary in content areas by expanding concept definitions into a pattern that connects to previously learned information. What is a concept definition map? The book used in the classroom, 35 Strategies for Developing Content Area Vocabulary, defines a concept definition map as a “graphic organizer that shows the relationship between the definition of a concept and other information about it” (Spencer & Guillaume, 2009, p. One article defines a concept definition map as a “graphic organizer that helps students enrich their understanding of a word or concept and develop new vocabulary” (concept definition map). A concept definition map is a type of graphic organizer; more specifically, it is a concept map. As a sort of graphic organizer, it visually represents the information students need to learn. Because a concept definition map is specifically a concept map, it visually shows the relationships between concepts and subconcepts of a topic or main idea. What makes a concept definition map special c...... middle of paper ....... Chan, C (2009). Assessment: concept map, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong. Retrieved from: http://ar.cetl.hku.hk/am_cm.htm#4Concept definition map. International Center for Leadership in Education. PDF files. Retrieved from: http://www.hammond.k12.in.us/icle_reading/5%20CTE%20Reading%20Strategies/4%20CTE%20Reading%20Concept%20Definintion%20Map.pdf Example Concept Definition Map. Resource for school RED teachers. P. 1. Retrieved from: http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/vocabulary/pdf/tr_AllConcept.pdfSpencer, B.H., & Guillaume, A.M. (2009). Definition map concept. 35 Strategies for Developing Content Area Vocabulary (p. 9-13). Boston: Allyn & Bacon/Pearson. Using a conceptual definition map. Resource for school red teacher. PDF files. Retrieved from: http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/vocabulary/pdf/concept.pdf