• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Courses
    • Teaching Every Reader
    • Teaching Every Writer
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Member Login

The Measured Mom

Education resources for parents and teachers

  • Alphabet
  • Reading
    • Structured literacy
    • Printable Books
    • Pre-Reading
    • Phonics
    • Sight Words
    • Comprehension
    • Fluency
    • Vocabulary
  • Writing
    • Grammar
    • Handwriting
    • Spelling
    • Writing in Pre-K
    • Writing in K-3
  • Math
    • Counting
    • Number Recognition
    • Addition & Subtraction
    • Colors, Shapes & Patterns
    • Visual Discrimination
    • Time, Money & Measurement
    • Place Value
    • Graphs
    • Multiplication & Division
    • Fractions
    • Problem Solving
  • Book Lists
    • Letter of the Week
    • Early Childhood Themes
    • Pre-Reading Skills
    • Math Concepts
    • Writing Mentor Texts
    • Versions of Familiar Tales
    • Holidays and Seasonal
    • History
    • Leveled Book Lists
  • Join Membership
Home
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Alphabet
    • Reading
    • Writing
    • Math
    • Book Lists
  • Podcast
  • Courses
    • Teaching Every Reader
    • Teaching Every Writer
  • Subscriber Freebies
  • About
  • Membership
  • Contact

PSPKK1236 Comments

6 Whole Class Vocabulary Activities

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Here are some simple whole class vocabulary activities for your learners!

Here are six simple whole class vocabulary activities - each one takes only a few minutes!

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Thanks for sticking with me for my vocabulary series! We’ve covered a lot of ground. So far, I’ve shared:

  • 10 common mistakes to avoid when teaching vocabulary
  • How to choose which vocabulary words to teach
  • How to build  vocabulary through read alouds
  • How to teach vocabulary in the primary grades
  • How to teach vocabulary in the intermediate grades
  • How to use vocabulary journals (with free printables)

Today it’s time to talk about actual whole class vocabulary activities that you can do after you’ve introduced the new vocabulary words. Let’s take a look!

1. Have simple discussions around the new word.

Simply ask a question with the new vocabulary word that will elicit a thoughtful discussion. For example, if the new word is cautiously, you could say something like this:

“If you are walking through a dark cave, you need to do it cautiously. What are other things that you should do cautiously?”

or

“Your attitude is the way you think or feel about something that affects your behavior. If you were sick and couldn’t do your homework, you would probably want your teacher to have an understanding attitude. If your brother kicked you and you went to tell your mom, what would you want her attitude to be? If you broke your leg, what kind of attitude would you want your doctor to have?”

Source: Bringing Words to Life, by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan

2. Ask your learners to choose the right word.

Ask a question, and have your students tell you which vocabulary word fits. This is a great activity to do during transition times or other moments when you have less than a minute. Simply jot down a list of questions that feature your vocabulary words. Then grab them at opportune moments throughout the week.

Here’s an example.

“Which word best describes the movement of a butterfly? Flutter or scatter?“

or

“If a parent yells at you for something that wasn’t your fault, is that gradual or harsh?”

Source: Bringing Words to Life, by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan

3. Play “Counting Dude, Bragging Dude.”

Each student should have a vocabulary word printed on a lanyard hanging around his/her name. Divide the class into two groups: Counting Dudes and Bragging Dudes. Counting Dudes line up on one side of the room, and Bragging Dudes on the other. At your signal, students find a partner. Bragging Dudes must create sentences of 7 or more words featuring the words on their lanyards. Counting Dudes must listen carefully and determine if the word was used accurately. When finished, students switch roles.

Source: Word Nerds, by Overturf, Montgomery, and Smith

4. Have your learners finish the sentence.

Use a new vocabulary word in a sentence starter, and ask your students to finish the sentence in different ways. Depending on your learners, this can be done orally as a written exercise.

For example:

In order to keep the students safe, the principal wants to prevent …

I was nervous when I was about to approach …

One example of a healthy habit is …

Source: Bringing Words to Life, by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan

5. Word Charades

Have students work in small groups to design a small skit that will help the rest of the class guess the mystery word. You might have them do this without speaking, or you might decide that talking is permitted – as long as the mystery word isn’t named.

Source: Word Nerds, by Overturf, Montgomery, and Smith

6. Have your learners tell you if the use of a word makes sense.

Again, this is another super simple vocabulary activity that you can do whenever you have a moment. On the weekend or during your prep time, write a list of statements that feature the new vocabulary words. Some sentences should make sense, and some shouldn’t. During the week, read a sentence or two and ask your students to tell you if it makes sense. If it doesn’t make sense, they need to explain why.

For example:

The doctor gave the nurse a signal that it was time to begin the operation. (This makes sense. You could follow up by asking the students what that signal might be.)

Florida’s climate is crowded. (This doesn’t make sense. Climate refers to weather, and weather cannot be crowded.)

Source: Bringing Words to Life, by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan

Looking for whole class vocabulary activities? Check these out!

  • 21 Vocabulary Ideas from Gifted Guru
  • 4 Vocabulary Games for Your Classroom from National Geographic Learning
  • 5 Fun Vocabulary Activities from Words in Bloom

Check out the whole series!

 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

 

Free Reading Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension resources ... all free!

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Vocabulary Tagged With: first grade, second grade, third grade

You May Also Enjoy These Posts:

Vocabulary journal Do’s and don’ts for teaching vocabulary Mistakes to avoid when teaching vocabulary
How to teach predicting with picture books
Free Games for Ending Blends

Reader Interactions

6 Comments

  1. JByrd

    June 14, 2019 at 11:32 am

    I found vocabulary guidelines easy to understand and very helpful. I look forward to using them next year with my first graders.

    Reply to this comment
    • JByrd

      June 24, 2019 at 12:11 pm

      Can’t wait to read about your small group activities.

      Reply to this comment
  2. Becky

    June 1, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    I’ve been trying to access the last of the vocabulary sessions – small group vocabulary activities. Says available May 22, but I have not be able to pull it up. Was it cancelled or delayed/ Every time I click on the link for it I get sent back to the original first session (10 mistakes). Help, please – maybe there’s a tech glitch (I hope). Thanks!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      June 1, 2018 at 4:38 pm

      Sorry, I’ve gotten behind a bit, Becky! I’ll have it up later this month.

      Reply to this comment
  3. kishwer

    May 15, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    so nice guide lines with examples.love it

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      May 16, 2018 at 5:05 pm

      I’m so glad you like this, Kishwer!

      Reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Grade Level Key

  • PS Preschool (ages 2-3 years)
  • PK Pre-K (ages 4-5 years)
  • K Kindergarten
  • 1 1st grade
  • 2 2nd grade
  • 3 3rd grade

Hello, I’m Anna!

Welcome to The Measured Mom. I’m so glad you’re here!

Meet Our Team

Free Reading Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade

Join our email list and get this sample pack of time-saving resources from our membership site! You'll get phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension resources ... all free!

Shop these popular reading resources!

Editable Reading Games for Every Season – MEGA PACK!

$24.00

Phonics Books & Games – Complete Set

$49.00

Reading response sheets & Early chapter book lists

$18.00

Shop All Resources

Members get more!

The Measured Mom Plus is the perfect online membership for Pre-K to third grade educators.

Learn More

Love Freebies?

Subscribing to our email newsletter is completely free. And when you do, you'll get access to our library of subscriber freebies! Sign up below to get access to a wonderful variety of math and literacy resources.

Join our online courses and get the tools you need to teach every learner in K-2!

Confidently teach every reader in your classroom. Still have time to live your life.

Learn More

Get everything you need to teach writing well, including over 200 ready-to-use lessons.

Learn More

Listen and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher

Check out these recent podcast episodes:

  • My response to Jan Richardson & Michele Dufresne, Part 1
  • 6 Things to remember about the science of reading
  • What order should we teach the letters of the alphabet?
More Episodes

Check out these FREE email courses...

Get strategies and tools to teach a particular topic with a free 5-day email series! Just click an image to sign up. We recommend signing up for just one at a time.

For Pre-K Educators

How to teach letters and sounds to preschoolers

How to teach letters and sounds to preschoolers

Learn my must-follow tips for teaching the alphabet in this free 5-day email series!

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

How to teach phonological & phonemic awareness

Learn how to develop this important pre-reading skill with a free 5-day email series!

How to teach preschool math

How to teach preschool math

Learn exactly what to teach your preschoolers in this free 5-day series!

For Kinder & 1st Grade Educators

How to teach kids to sound out words

How to teach kids to sound out words

Learn my top strategies for teaching kids to "sound it out"

How to teach sight words

How to teach sight words

Get strategies and tools for teaching sight words to young learners!

Tips for teaching phonics

Tips for teaching phonics

Sign up for our free 5-day email series to learn what phonics skills to teach and how to structure your phonics lessons!

For 2nd & 3rd Grade Educators

How to build reading fluency

How to build reading fluency

Learn smart strategies for helping your learners become fluent readers with this free 5-day series!

How to teach writing in 2nd & 3rd grade

How to teach writing in 2nd & 3rd grade

Learn the most important writing skills to teach to 2nd & 3rd graders in this free 5-day series!

How to build reading comprehension

How to build reading comprehension

Discover the essential reading comprehension strategies for 2nd & 3rd grade and how to teach them!

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33

Copyright © 2023 The Measured Mom •  All rights reserved  •  Privacy & Disclosure Statement  •  Site Design by Emily White Designs