Marzano in Building Background Knowledge (2004) states that there are 6 essential steps in effective vocabulary instruction. 
1. The teacher provides a description or explanation rather than a definition.

• examples vs. non examples
  
•  analogies 
  
• label parts. 
  

2. Students restate the explanation in their own words.

• vocab journals
  
• charts
  
• Frayer model 
  

3. Students create nonlinguistic representations for the term.

• visual models
  
• sketches/diagrams
  
• graphic organizers
  

4. Students do a variety of activities to add to their knowledge of the term (multiple exposures).

• classifying
  
• compare/contrast
  
• foldables

5. Students are asked to discuss the terms with each other in small groups.

• jigsaws
  
• mind/concept maps
• round robin

6. Students are periodically involved in games or game-like activities that allow them to play with the vocabulary terms.

• Jeopardy (definitions to/from vocab terms)
  
• Fact or Fiction
  
• Bingo 
  

Remember to choose words that you can get the most "mileage" out of-- multiple meanings, frequent use, shows in other subjects, cognates, etc.