Vocabulary

Learning new vocabulary develops listening comprehension skills and increases understanding in discussions and conversations across different subject areas. 

suggestions for vocabulary activities

Online Tools

  • Quizlet-create vocabulary lists and flashcards
  • Lexipedia-visual dictionary, thesaurus and interactive lexicon
  • Visuwords-visual dictionary, thesaurus and interactive lexicon
  • Wordhippo –thesaurus and word tools
  • Yourdictionary -online dictionary and thesaurus

Classroom Activities

  • Taboo- helps students practice with synonyms and descriptions.
    • Divide students into two teams
    • Each team selects a person to guess first
    • Show the teams (but NOT the guessers) a vocabulary word
    • Teams describe the words and try to get the guesser to say the word
      • *The board game Taboo can be used
      • Use a timer
  • Letter scramble-helps reinforce elements of pronunciation
    • On a slide or white board, scramble the letters of Key Vocabulary words
    • Students work individually or in pairs to unscramble the words
    • The first to finish deciphering all the words wins.
  • Whisper challenge-helps reinforce elements of pronunciation
    • Students work in pairs and take turns silently mouthing the words from a Key Vocabulary list
    • Partners have to guess the correct word from lip-reading their partner