Whole Group Practice
Tune In to Interesting Words
Students must be building an awareness of words. Students can be very interested in learning new words that authors are using in the texts they are reading. Students begin to understand new vocabulary words through their readings. They will show up in the text they are reading, which makes them very excited to share with the class that they discovered a new and interesting word!
Example: The words royal and cloak in the book Odd Velvet by Mary Whitcomb.
"They took turns wearing Velvet's royal cloak."
Students could tune into both of these words that are used in the same sentence. Ask the students what they think the two words mean, and if the two words together could help them discover the meaning. Students who tune in to interesting words will encounter and remember new words, thus expanding their vocabulary.
The key is to choose "good-fit books" with interesting vocabulary words for the students to tune into the words. It is important not to tune into too many words in one day, try to choose 3 or 4 words a day. This process of building vocabulary is less intimidating compared to using flashcards or workbooks.
In the CAFE text, they suggest having a class word collector filled with words students bring from home in magazines or newspapers.
Students must be building an awareness of words. Students can be very interested in learning new words that authors are using in the texts they are reading. Students begin to understand new vocabulary words through their readings. They will show up in the text they are reading, which makes them very excited to share with the class that they discovered a new and interesting word!
Example: The words royal and cloak in the book Odd Velvet by Mary Whitcomb.
"They took turns wearing Velvet's royal cloak."
Students could tune into both of these words that are used in the same sentence. Ask the students what they think the two words mean, and if the two words together could help them discover the meaning. Students who tune in to interesting words will encounter and remember new words, thus expanding their vocabulary.
The key is to choose "good-fit books" with interesting vocabulary words for the students to tune into the words. It is important not to tune into too many words in one day, try to choose 3 or 4 words a day. This process of building vocabulary is less intimidating compared to using flashcards or workbooks.
In the CAFE text, they suggest having a class word collector filled with words students bring from home in magazines or newspapers.
Counting Dude, Bragging Dude
The goals of this strategy are to encourage students to speak in complex sentences while practicing new vocabulary and to get students to look each other in the eye, shake hands, and speak politely in social interactions.
The goals of this strategy are to encourage students to speak in complex sentences while practicing new vocabulary and to get students to look each other in the eye, shake hands, and speak politely in social interactions.
- Each student is provided with a designated word.
- Divide students into two groups: Counting Dudes line up on one side of the room and Bragging Dudes line up on the opposite side.
- Counting Dudes and Bragging Dudes then pair off, introduce themselves as their words and begin the activity.
- Bragging Dudes must create 7-Up sentences with their words. Counting dudes determine the accuracy of their partner's choices.
- If the Bragging Dude uses the word appropriately in a seven-word or longer sentence, he or she gets to give a quiet cheer, give themselves a pat on the back, dance a football jig or do a little hip-hop move.
- After both partners have gone and switched roles, they find another partner and complete the process over again.
Word Charades
In this strategy, students work in small groups to plan a charade to show the definition of a word. They have to dramatize the word silently while the rest of the students in the class guess the word.
In this strategy, students work in small groups to plan a charade to show the definition of a word. They have to dramatize the word silently while the rest of the students in the class guess the word.
Vocabulary Rap
When inserting music or rhyme into vocabulary instruction, students are much more likely to remember words. The use of hip-hop and rap music can be used to improve memory and retention rates. An easy rap can be used for this activity:
"When I say, ________(vocabulary word), you say _________ (synonym)."
After all of the students have gone, the rap can then be repeated with the antonyms. At the end of the rap, the teacher calls out "Freestyle!" and the students do some inspired dance moves for a few seconds.
When inserting music or rhyme into vocabulary instruction, students are much more likely to remember words. The use of hip-hop and rap music can be used to improve memory and retention rates. An easy rap can be used for this activity:
"When I say, ________(vocabulary word), you say _________ (synonym)."
After all of the students have gone, the rap can then be repeated with the antonyms. At the end of the rap, the teacher calls out "Freestyle!" and the students do some inspired dance moves for a few seconds.