6 Whole Class Vocabulary Activities

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

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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

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