Vocabulary
Word-A-Day Cards*
Vocabulary
cards may be purchased or teacher created. These
cards should include words that the students would
easily find within their grade level curriculum. There
are various ways to utilize vocabulary cards in the
classroom. Here are a few simple steps to practice
with the cards:
- Display the word on the
board.
- Discuss the word’s
pronunciation and syllabication. Have students
say the word orally.
- Note the parts of speech
represented by the word.
- Point out the root word
and any prefixes or suffixes.
- Ask students to guess
the word’s meaning.
- Display the definition
and read each definition to the class. Show students
how the definitions change of the part of speech is
changed.
- Have each student write
the word and pronunciation on the front of an index
card and the definition and part of speech on the reverse
side.
- Instruct students to
write a sentence using the word and add this sentence
on their index card as well.
- The
students will develop a set of these cards and can
be used as a valuable resource in their writing.
More
Vocabulary Ideas
There
are many classroom and learning center activities that
can be created using the words and their definitions. Here
are a few ideas:
- Dictionary Work :
Encourage students to look up the word in a dictionary
to better determine its meaning, uses, and tenses. Ask
them to list the antonyms, synonyms, and homophones
of each word.
- Five Words :
As you begin to accumulate words and definitions, designate
a bulletin board for their display. Encourage
students to select five words and write a shot story,
poem, or paragraph using the words.
- Vocabulary Bee :
Every few weeks, challenge your students to a vocabulary
bee using the vocabulary words they have been learning. Have
each student define the word or use it properly in
a sentence.
- Definition Match :
Designate a bulletin board for displaying the Vocabulary
Word-A-Day cards. Separate the definitions from
the words and let students match them together correctly. Provide
a list of words and definitions as an answer key for
self checking.
- Vocabulary Bingo :
Give each student a blank bingo card and ask them to
write one vocabulary word from the words they have
been learning in each square. (There should be at least
25 words on the board from which they can choose.) Read
at random the definitions to the vocabulary words. Students
circle the words on their card that matches the specific
definitions until someone reaches “Bingo!”
- Use or Lose :
Ask students to use the word at least six times during
the day. Instruct them to record how they used
the word each time.
- Bonus Spelling Points :
Add the five new vocabulary words for the week to your
spelling list. When you give the final spelling
test, award extra points for spelling the vocabulary
words correctly.
- Word Tenses :
Ask students to write the day’s word using different
tenses or its plural and/or singular form. Instruct
students to use the various words in different sentences.
- Vocabulary Word Wall :
The words can be used as a Vocabulary Word Wall weekly
activity. Display five words each week emphasizing
each word’s spelling and definition. Have
the students practice writing the words and using them
in a sentence each day of the given week. At
the end of the week, quiz the students on their comprehension
and ability to spell the word correctly.
*
Ideas courtesy of Teacher’s Friend Publications,
Inc.
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Puzzlemaker-Crossword
Directions: Students
create puzzles using key words from a vocabulary list.
Students can type their list into any of the word-based
puzzle creation forms.
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In-Depth
Word Study
Directions: Print
worksheet. Students write the vocabulary word
and definition. Student then writes other meanings
and related words. The third box is for additional
word forms. The last two boxes are for opposing
concepts (antonyms) and related concepts (synonyms).
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Vocabulary
Lotus
Directions: Print
worksheet. Students write one vocabulary word
in each box. Then, students write the definition
to each word on post-it notes. One definition
per post-it note. Students can mix up definitions
and place them on the appropriate word or cover each
word with the post-it note and guess the correct word. Students
can also write the definitions in each box and vocabulary
words on the post-it notes.
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Kidspiration
Word Web
Directions: Students
will use Kidspiration to complete this task. Each
vocabulary word is typed in each box. Students
will need to look up correct definitions for each word
prior to completing this activity. Once definitions
are found, students type them in each box. Students
write one sentence for each word in the box.
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Word
Tracker
Directions: Print
worksheet. Students write vocabulary word in
the first box. Students write their own definition
for each word in the second box. In the third
box, students write the dictionary definition. In
the fourth box, students tell how the word is used
in the text. In the last box, students write
about the word.
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Vocabulary
Pictionary*
Objective:
Students
will be able to practice using and creating pictures
related to chosen vocabulary terms.
Materials:
You need one of these
for every group of four students:
dry
erase board, Expo marker, set of cards with the vocabulary
terms on them, and one room clock for everyone to use.
Interest Building:
Ask for a volunteer to
come to the board. Explain to the class
that you are going to give her/him a word to draw
on the board, and then everyone will try to guess
what the word is. Choose a word preferably
not from the vocabulary list (could relate to anything). After
the student draws the picture and someone guesses
the word, ask the students how many of them have
ever played Pictionary.
Summary:
Explain that today they are going to be playing Pictionary using vocabulary
terms that they have been studying. Divide students into
groups of four and explain the activity. Advise them that
each team gets one minute to draw and guess the vocabulary term. Once
they actually guess the term then they have 15 seconds to
say something meaningful about it. Explain to students that
they may either use their own watch or the clock on the wall to
time each other. Students go until all the terms have been
guessed by someone or until time runs out.
Activities:
Students will play Pictionary
in groups of four people, two people on each team. They
will choose a card from the pile and then draw a
picture on a dry erase board while their partner
guesses what it is. Once they guess the term
the team receives one point.
Thoughts:
The
great thing about this game is that you can add to the terms
all year long. This way students are always practicing
new and previous vocabulary. It will also help them
make connections between terms and concepts.
*Ideas
courtesy of Melissa Coto
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Vocabulary
Cartoons
Funnybone
Books: Vocabulary Cartoon of the Day:
180
Reproducible Cartoons That Help Kids Build a ROBUST
and PRODIGIOUS Vocabulary
by
Marc Tyler Nobleman
(Scholastic)
What
better way to make vocabulary words stick than through
funny and engaging cartoons? Just one cartoon a day,
complete with clear, simple definitions and sentences,
will help build students' vocabulary and boost their
reading, writing, and test-taking skills.
Table
of Contents
Sample
Pages
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Click
here...Vocabulary Collage
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Vocabulary
Picture Book
Stapleless
Book
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Vocabulary
Charades*
One
way in which teachers can help students begin to enjoy
reading is to broaden their vocabulary in a non-threatening
way. Vocabulary Charades is a fun way for students
to learn many different words by association.
Begin Vocabulary
Charades by comprising a list of vocabulary words.
Divide the students into pairs, and give each pair
one vocabulary word. These pairs then look up the
definition and pronunciation of their vocabulary
words. (You may have to help them with the pronunciation
unless you do an entire lesson on interpreting the Pronunciation
Key ahead of time.) Next, these pairs must come
up with a sign that represents their word. This sign
should correlate with the definition so that it is
easy to remember. Finally, they share what they have
learned by teaching their word to their classmates.
At
this point, have all students stand in a big circle
to share their work. Have them write their words on
the board or somewhere visible so that the other students
see how these words are spelled. Once all pairs have
shared their word, definitions, and sign, go around
the circle several times asking various students to
repeat the word, definition, and sign. Review these
words the day the students are introduced to the words
and review frequently thereafter so that they retain
the information.
Vocabulary
Charades is
a fresh way to introduce new words that accommodates
all learning styles.
*Written
by by Jenny Helms
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Click
here...Taboo Junior
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Alphabox
Directions: Print
Worksheet. Choose one word from your vocabulary
list. Students write one synonym for each letter
of the alphabet in each box. Students may also
write one antonym for each letter of the alphabet in
each box.
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Connect
Two
Directions: Print
Worksheet. Choose two words from your vocabulary
list and find a connection between the two words. In
complete sentences, explain how the two words connect.
Also explain how the words relate to your reading assignment
or to your own life.
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Definition
Poem
Directions: Compose
a Definition Poem for a word, character or event related
to the reading selection. Do this on your own
paper.
Line
1: Name it
Line
2: Describe it, rename it
Line
3: Tell where it would be found
Line
4: Tell more about it
Line
5: Use emotion words to tell how you feel about this
Line
6: Explain why you used the emotion words in Line 5
Example:
Eagle
Our
national bird, a bird of prey
Soaring
near mountains and trees
King
of the air
Awesome
predator
Respected
and feared by all
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Word
Pyramid
Directions: Print
Worksheet. Students complete the first line with
the vocabulary word, the second line with two antonyms,
and the third line with three synonyms. In line
four, students add four describing words. In
line five they use the word in a sentence.
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Vocabulary
Cube
Directions: Hand
out copies of the Vocabulary Cube. Have students
complete the cube by filling in each side.
- Analyze the word: List
the part of the speech, root word, prefix, or suffix.
- Define the word: Write
a brief definition.
- Apply the word: What
can you do with it?
- Compare the word: What
is it similar to or different from? List any
synonyms or antonyms.
- Argue the word: Make
an opinion statement using this word and argue for
or against it.
- Associate the word: How
is this word related to your life? What does
it make you think of?
After
students have completed the cube, they can assemble
it by following the directions on the worksheet. Display
the Vocabulary Cubes around the room for everyone to
see.
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