Vocabulary+Activities

__Interactive Word Wall__  This is a poster that can be hung on the wall during a unit with different color sticky notes. Each color sticky note is designated for a specific purpose. For example, students could be directed to write new words they encounter that they are unfamiliar with on yellow sticky notes. They could write words they learned on green sticky notes.

__Making Connections__  Students can make connections among new vocabulary terms they are learning. Prior to completing this activity, students should have at least basic understanding of what each word means. Words should be written on the board in a vertical list. They then make a connection about how the first and second word might be related, how the second and third word might be related, and so one. This can also be done individually or in small groups. This is a great activity to help students think about vocabulary in context.At the following link, you can find a graphic organizer for this activity. [|Making connections vocab organizer]

__Vocabulary Chart__ Students will be presented with the above vocabulary words before reading a text. They will create a three column chart and print each word in the left column. In the middle column, the students will write a description or draw a picture of what that word means to them. Following the reading of the text, the students will complete the chart by drawing pictures or writing descriptions in the right column to explain how their understanding or impression of the word was changed by reading.

__Vocabulary Memory Game__ Students will work in small groups of three to four students as a center or table activity. Each group will be given a list of the vocabulary words from a text. The glossary from the book will be projected on the board using the Hovercam. The students in the group will divide up the words so that each student is assigned two or three words each. Using pairs of index cards for each vocabulary term, the student will print the word on one card and draw a picture representing the word on the other card. Students will use the definitions from the projected glossary as guidance for illustrations. The students will share the cards they created with the members of their group so everyone will be familiar with the words and illustrations. They will then use their cards to play a memory/concentration game by placing all of the cards face down and taking turns flipping over two at a time to find a match between a vocabulary term and its illustration. *Some of the words will be more challenging for students to think of illustrations for. They will be encouraged to think about what the word reminds them of or means to them. This is why it is important for them to share their cards with their group before playing the game so that students can understand the connections between the drawings and terms.