This page lists a variety of activities that help students learn and reinforce vocabulary.
If you are interested in a framework for understanding vocabulary instruction, try here.
Four Corners (Four Squares)
Four corners is a graphic organizer that will help students create a record of the words they are studying. Fold a large index card or piece of paper in half twice, once vertically and once horizontally. Now you will have 4 equal rectangles.
In the top left rectangle, students write the word.
In the top right, they create or apply a visual representation of the word.
In the bottom left, they write their own student-friendly definition of the word.
And in the bottom right, they use the word in a sentence.
There are numerous variation to this organizer. You can adapt it by adding other components such as synonyms, antonyms, characteristics, and associations.
In the top left rectangle, students write the word.
In the top right, they create or apply a visual representation of the word.
In the bottom left, they write their own student-friendly definition of the word.
And in the bottom right, they use the word in a sentence.
There are numerous variation to this organizer. You can adapt it by adding other components such as synonyms, antonyms, characteristics, and associations.
Sentence Auction
Divide the class into small groups of 3 or 4 students per group. Ask the students about auctions: Do the students know what they are? Can they describe an auction? Have they every been to an auction?, etc. Many of your students may already be familiar with Ebay.
Create a list of 12 or 15 sentences which incorporate the vocabulary or grammar that you are studying. Make some of the sentences incorrect and some of them correct. If possible, use actual student generated work.
The rules of the auction are as follows:
Once the game has finished, go through each sentence saying whether it is correct or incorrect. After things have calmed down, go through each sentence explaining any grammar / usage questions that arise.
Caution: This can be an activity which generates a lot of energy and noise. I once had an adult student standing on a desk waiving a credit card in the air because he wanted to buy more sentences but his group had spent all of their money.
Description adapted from here.
Create a list of 12 or 15 sentences which incorporate the vocabulary or grammar that you are studying. Make some of the sentences incorrect and some of them correct. If possible, use actual student generated work.
The rules of the auction are as follows:
- The aim of the game is to buy as many correct sentences as possible
- Each group will have $3000 to spend
- Bids begin at $200
- Bids increase by $100 each bid
- The sentence will be sold to the highest bidder (remember? "$400 going once, $400 going twice, $400 sold to group X!")
- The winner of the game is the group which has bought the most correct sentences
Once the game has finished, go through each sentence saying whether it is correct or incorrect. After things have calmed down, go through each sentence explaining any grammar / usage questions that arise.
Caution: This can be an activity which generates a lot of energy and noise. I once had an adult student standing on a desk waiving a credit card in the air because he wanted to buy more sentences but his group had spent all of their money.
Description adapted from here.
Oddball
Find the word that doesn't belong and explain why.
a) merchant vendor buyer supplier
b) fortunate lucky blessed cursed
a) merchant vendor buyer supplier
b) fortunate lucky blessed cursed
Sentence Stems
Go beyond the traditional fill-in-the-blank by taking out supporting words not the word that is being studied. Create a variety of sentences that reinforce meaning. If one of the students's words is merchant, you can try sentence like:
The merchant traveled by ship so he could sell.....
An online merchant doesn't accept cash, you have to pay with......
The merchant traveled by ship so he could sell.....
An online merchant doesn't accept cash, you have to pay with......
Memory/Concentration
Write each new vocabulary word on an index card, then write a corresponding synonym, antonym or definition on another index card.
A new twist on a classic and simple game.
A new twist on a classic and simple game.
Word Sorts
Use the index cards created for Memory and create header words for different semantic categories on index cards. Have your student sort their vocabulary words. To add an extra challenge, time them and record their progress.
