Frequently Asked Questions

Rather than asking students to memorize complex vocabulary definitions that they do not understand, they use Semantic Reasoning, a cognitive-educational approach we created, whereby students actively infer the meaning of Tier 2 words based on seeing five images of the word used in different contexts.

We recommend daily vocabulary practice, but the University of Virginia study showed significant improvement with just 20 minutes of Tier 2 vocabulary interventions three times per week.

You can use the Star Words feature to prioritize Tier 2 vocabulary words for your students.
1. Select a classroom from the dropdown.
2. In the Classroom Word List, check the box in the “Starred” column next to words you want to emphasize. This will star the vocabulary word for all the students in the classroom.
Or, you can star many words at a time!
1. Apply some filters, such as filtering for a book you are currently teaching.
2. Above the Classroom Word List, click the Star All Displayed Words option.

If you want to prioritize a word for an individual student, rather than the whole class, you can do that in the student report.
1. Select the student's classroom from the dropdown.
2. Next to View Student Report, select the student's name.
3. In the Student Word List, check the box in the “Starred” column next to words you want to emphasize.

Students are assigned words based on grade-level. Word levels were estimated using a composite list of data from The Educator's Word Frequency Guide [Zeno, et al], the Word Frequency Book [Carroll, et al], and the Computational Analysis of Present-day American English [Kucera and Francis].
In each climb, the game algorithm selects a combination of starred words, new words, partially learned words, and learned words.

Yes! InferCabulary can be used with individual students, small groups and for whole group vocabulary instruction. The Classroom Play option lets you play InferCabulary as a group with your class during direct vocabulary instruction. Classroom Play progress does not affect individual student progress. Actively engage students in the process by demonstrating Think Alouds and the Semantic Reasoning process. Then ask them to:
• Analyze the pictures
• Engage in critical thinking
• Determine the common thread
• Identify the single word that represents this concept

Simple!:
1. Using your Teacher Login, select the student’s classroom from the dropdown menu.
2. Select the student’s name from the View Student Details dropdown.
3. In the student details page, click the Expand Account Details button, and click the Change Password button.
• Analyze the pictures
• Engage in critical thinking
• Determine the common thread
• Identify single word represents this concept?

Yes! You can change a student’s level.
1. Select the classroom that the student is in.
2. Select the student’s name from the View Student Details dropdown.
3. In the student details page, click the Expand Account Details button, and select the level to which you want to change.
The student's level will update after they complete their current climb.

Please visit our user support site at support.infercabulary.com for articles and videos addressing a variety of common questions for parents, teachers and schools.

If you still can't find what you're looking for, feel free to reach us at 410-357-1530.