To ensure student understanding of a new topic or to familiarize them with new vocabulary, it is important to do pre-reading activities to introduce them to these new words and topics. Make the question mark large and place it in the centre of the card., then cut out the dot in the question mark to get a hole through which children will be able to see a small part of the picture. Finally, show the picture to all children and practise the It�s a/an + noun structure. Circle with the picture several times, hide it and ask: "What is it?" accept new foreign languages easily, but they get bored very fast if the teacher is teaching them using the old conventional methods and techniques. You may share your secret with either a child or a group of children. Helping kids to develop their vocabulary is time that is well spent in a busy classroom. Ask the children to help the kitten find a way to its mum: Place four pictures next to each another on the board. Place an object between the two groups (e.g. Write it. Based on the introducing of your photos, ask children to show you the picture of their mother (children raise the picture above their heads), then the picture of their father etc. In my high school classroom, lists consist of ten to fifteen words, and I allow students two weeks to interact with them on a daily basis before I expect ma… Keep uncovering the card until the children name the picture. The team that produces the … For example: a child is sitting and you move the card around his/her head so that he/she cannot see the picture. A - Z of Content Spot the vocabulary; ... Add new comment Log in or register to post comments . Vocabulary practice is something teachers are always trying to increase. Show the picture to the child, make some comments and laugh to increase the curiosity of the rest of the group. Indicate that he/she must not tell anyone from the group what is in the picture; it will be your secret. One by one, ask them to name one thing from the picture they can say in English: Ask one child to point to something in the picture that he/she does not know the English name for and ask them to ask anyone in the class: Spread cards depicting the meaning of adjectives that the children already know on the table; add several new ones. © British Council, 10 Spring Gardens, London SW1A 2BN, UK This post on ’10 Fun Ideas To Teach Vocabulary’ will explore effective methods to improve vocabulary acquisition, as well techniques that should be included to successfully teach words. Let's look at how … Short regular vocabulary reviews are better than a big cram session. In my pursuit of trying to understand how to help students master content-area vocabulary, a few activities and ideas became my "go-to" science vocabulary activities that I use each time I launch a new unit.These are fun, engage students in thinking about science concepts right away, and serve many purposes for me as I start my science units. Repeat the vocabulary they have studied. Especially with standardized tests where the exact phrasing of questions is unknown to the teacher in advance, usually the second goal is necessary for success. This may be the hardest tip to follow! After that, make some more activities. This ESL vocabulary game is useful for revising words. It depends on the teacher�s imagination. … A good way to help preschoolers learn new words is to take what they are hearing and help them to visualize it. : While they make their family trees following your sample on the blackboard, walk from one student to another and ask: When selecting or making the picture, bear in mind which words you wish to present and focus on these (e.g. The team that reaches the object first gains a point. This means that this time you get two or more holes through which children will see the picture. Or do you desire for the students to have a deep understanding of the term, be able to use it accurately and be able to generalize the term? A vast vocabulary will help students to become better readers and writers. Determining an appropriate number for your students might be a process of trial and error. This game can be played 2 ways: The fastest person to draw the picture rolls the dice. Show your class an object, say the word, write it on the board, and then pass the object around and have each of your students say the word out loud. Seeing is learning when it comes to introducing new words. Uncover a card with the picture of an animal for only few seconds, show it to the children several times, turn it around quickly, and hide it. Children bring the photos of their family members. The level of the students will then tell you which, and how many questions you can or should ask them, and whether or not they will be able to answer. You may also spread the cards around the whole classroom, in a circle, etc. As you introduce new words, add a card. Say hi to our wonderful guest blogger, Alicia Christian, aka The Elementary Professor! Encourage students to draw upon their prior knowledge when introducing new vocabulary words. When the new word appears, children who are on the first positions in the two teams run to get the object placed between the groups (if it is a card, they can slap it.). Place the picture so that everyone can see it. Students cannot use … Now place a card with a picture they cannot name in English among the cards they can name, and shuffle the cards. You can jump up high, stretch your arms to the ceiling etc. Other things to consider. Do you simply want students to be able to match a term to a definition? I have developed a voca… I hope this post will assist you in teaching vocabulary in your classroom. Naturally, you have to consider the level of your students. Show children pictures of your family members and describe who is who: While showing your family in the pictures, describe what is happening in each picture. Try using a vocabulary anchor to introduce a new term during whole group instruction. question and I don�t know. Show pictures to children one by one, have children name them. Tell them to make the drawing simple. You may help the children to find out what picture is on the card by using the language they already know, or can guess easily from your behaviour (gestures, facial expressions) even though they do not know the new word yet. One of the pictures does not belong to the others; it differs from them, such as a cow, a rabbit, a sheep, and a lion (the lion does not belong here because it�s a wild animal, while others are domestic ones). Review the vocabulary you teach through a game or activity and encourage your students to do the same at home; Encourage autonomy in your learners. Alternatively, you can write words on slips of paper for students to choose. Encourage children to tell you what they do not know using phrases they have already learnt. Now place a card with a picture they cannot name in English among the … This Introducing New Vocabulary Words Lesson Plan is suitable for 6th - 8th Grade. We often put vocabulary instruction on the back burner. Ask the children to identify that picture: Then we can give each child a copy of the handout where individually or in groups they can search for things that are different from the others. For example: Sometime later, you may allow one or two children to come and take a look at the picture. They can thus create a line of new words. These are three-dimensional maze activities on a lesser scale (from boxes, cards, etc.) Build Vocabulary Often times, when one things of the word “vocabulary” one might right away think of the word wall. Have the teams stand in lines opposite each other. Again, cut out holes in the question marks� dots. Pre-teaching vocabulary is a strategy in which teachers introduce students to new vocabulary words before reading a text selection that contains the new vocabulary words. There's something for all ages and levels. Children can either name what they want, so they have the new cards left, or the teacher asks them to give him/her all the cards they know. I will also present you with 10 fun ways to help students to learn words, whether this be in English, French, German, Spanish or any other foreign language! When they finish the drawing, praise them, show them a castle in your picture and say: Prepare a set of cards with pictures that children already know (colours, numbers, animals, etc.). There are many different ways to teach vocabulary. Have the selected child come to you. Guidelines for Teaching Vocabulary (Grades 3–8), from Stretching Students’ Vocabulary You will be able to help your students “anchor” new vocabulary with words they knew using this lesson plan and great graphic organizer. Keep showing the card until children name the picture. Ask the students from the two teams, who are next, to get to the object. a Christmas tree, presents, cookies, lights, etc. The teacher says "Draw a _____" and students should draw that vocabulary word. Introducing vocabulary in advance: It can be a useful strategy to introduce key words and phrases before starting a new topic. Children are curious to see what is on the card, so they run after you. Using real objects to introduce new vocabulary will aid your students in remembering the new words. To make the activity more entertaining and use it for the introducing new language, at the beginning of the maze draw a cat and a kitten at the finish. Introducing New Language (Warm-up Activities) The aim of activities used for the introducing of new words and structures is to make children interested in saying something, react in the target language, and motivate their spontaneous need to be able to express themselves in a … In the next text we are going to read interesting ways that experts say we can use in order students learn new vocabulary. This game is based on raising interest and curiosity in children by showing only a small part of the picture. a card, book, notebook, etc.) Use flashcards or cut pictures out of magazines for this game. It depends on your students’ age and ability, their existing background knowledge, and the sophistication of the words you are asking them to learn. If the drawing is correct then the student rolls a dice for points. Have the teams stand in lines opposite each other. In addition, ask: "What is it?" Gradually, uncover the card (from the top, bottom, or side). Back to introducing a new unit! You may use these to then present the use of verbs for describing everyday activities. Read out each word and give a definition. They do require repeating. You may take pictures of yourself/a puppet you use in the class while doing daily routines (brushing your teeth; shopping; putting your shoes on; putting your coat on; reading etc.). trousers) while moving it around. Children must find a path from one place to another and pass through the system of tunnels. One more time, point to the pictures and repeat who is who. Using your facial expressions and gestures, you may help the students: Keep uncovering the card until children name the picture. Making a Mystery Card: All you need is a sheet of paper/cardboard paper big enough to cover a picture card easily; simultaneously, you need to be able to move the card hidden behind this paper without uncovering its corners or margins. Divide the class into two teams. 3.274145. Show the children a card with a picture of clothes (e.g. A fly swatter has proved to be a great aid for this activity; children use it for swatting The object placed between the teams. Remember, when you are introducing new vocabulary, make it fun. Flocabulary’s new vocab cards are based on the Frayer model , and encourage students to define new vocabulary words on their own terms through writing and drawing. For more vocabulary activities see Academic Vocabulary, ReadWriteThink, Just Read Now!, VocabularySpellingCity, and Vocabulary.co.il. and answer: "I don�t know." activities that help students retain the definition of a word instead of memorizing it for a quiz and forgetting it. You can draw more question marks on another Mystery Card. It will also give your kinesthetic learners a chance to make a physical connection with a lexical concept. Feb 26, 2017 - Explore Judy Helton's board "teaching vocabulary", followed by 2138 people on Pinterest. If there is enough room in the classroom and not too many children, you may take the card and move it around the classroom. Using an interactive smartboard, facilitate a class discussion by introducing a new vocabulary word and a similar term. Place another new word in the pack of cards. answer. Subsequently, you may introduce the It�s a/an + noun structure. © BBC World Service, Bush House, Strand, London WC2B 4PH, UK, Remember the last class - revision at the beginning of a lesson, Distance learning and English Language Learners, Teacher wellbeing: Five lessons from the experts, Teacher professional development through WhatsApp-based Communities of Practice in challenging contexts. Place a card on your chest, face down, and take a quick, discreet look at the picture so that no one else can see it. Vocabulary Anchor There are times when explicitly teaching new vocabulary is appropriate. That different picture should always introduce a new word. Assign each card (ace to king) with two letters and write them on the board. While activities like the ones above can be very helpful, it’s important to use sound instructional strategies when teaching vocabulary. Call on students to come up one by one to circle two words and make a sentence using both. Learning vocabulary can be engaging and fun with the right tools. Tell the students that they are going to play a vocabulary game using a pack of playing cards. Place an object between the two groups (e.g. Vocabulary Activities by Pamela Chanko . The teacher writes preferably an 8-letter word or longer on the board and students make as many new words as they can using all the original letters from the given word exactly once. opposites: small x big; happy x sad; etc. or real-scale somewhere in the garden, in playroom, gym. Concept Sorts allow the teacher to introduce new vocabulary to students that they will see in an assigned text. Now, with more reading in the content areas, it has become critically important for students to have a well-developed vocabulary to both understand a subject and to increase fluency while reading about it. Introducing nouns, things, objects, animals, etc… Visual elements work best with concrete nouns, … Show children a picture, e.g. To get children�s attention, you may comment on the picture, e.g. Anagrams. Order the photos on a magnetic board (put your mother and father next to each other; place pictures of yourself and your brothers and sisters right under them - create a family tree). So, here are 10 great ways to teach English vocabulary, outlined for each of the stages of vocabulary acquisition: Stage 1: Noticing and understanding new words. I tend to over-plan for my classes, because some classes LOVE certain activities while other classes literally groan if I mention them. Write What is it? The key to making vocabulary stick is encouraging students to actually use the words we want them to learn. or outside winter atmosphere - snowman, snowflake, falling snow, children on sledge etc.). Activities which introduce new vocabulary, collocations and sentence structures through using flashcards. If they hit a dead end then they must try and find a new route. Back to:Introducing New Language (Warm-up Activities). Students will have a blast and learn new vocabulary at the same time! Average: 3.3 (321 votes) Have you tried these practical activities to help students with vocabulary learning? a card, book, notebook, etc.). Activities for Teaching Vocabulary – Final Words For more data on the subject please read the Building Vocabulary and The aim of this paper is to prove that games are effective tools when ... Keywords: young learners, games, vocabulary, practical challenges, practical implications 1. Vocabulary activities. Have you tried these practical activities to help students with vocabulary learning? One of the most important steps in Comprehension Based™ teaching, and one that I neglected for a long time, is introducing the Core Vocabulary before jumping into a story or piece of content. The interactive MyWow! The children�s task is to identify the object and cross it out. Once we focus on the *why* we plan the lessons that we do, it’s important to have a wide variety of options of go-to activities for introducing a new vocabulary or grammar unit. How to use lexical games for introducing new vocabulary Vocabulary learning is often perceived as boring by learners, especially for those who grew up in the digital age. First it is important to decide what you actually want the students to know. Have the student draw a card (try using Pictionary Junior cards if the adult ones are too advanced for your class). Teaching your preschooler how to sort and categorize will help their logical thinking and build their vocabulary. Still, encourage them to broaden their existing knowledge (instead of I don�t know they can say I don�t know this one). Do exercises, questions, and so forth, to further practice the new words. and answer yourself: "I don�t know." Hold a card with the picture of fruit/vegetables fully covered. Tell them to read, watch films, listen to songs etc and note the useful words on the front of the Mystery Card. If that team can correctly guess the corresponding word, they get $100 (pretend money, of course!). This can be done via a list with visuals on an Interactive White Board (IWB), displayed on a poster, word wall or word mat, or a handout … The list size needs to be small and manageable. Accompany the whole process with the What is it? Using context clues, synonyms, antonyms, dictionaries, and original sentences, middle schoolers work through a new list of vocabulary words. Mystery Cards may take various forms. : Keep holding the card on your chest and say: Take another quick look at the card and repeat the whole process. The game can also be used to practice word order and sentence structure with more advanced students. Visit vocabulary regularly. There's something for all ages and levels. (Introducing New Language (Warm-up Activities)). Vocabulary is also essential to their performance on standardized tests. Keep/create a stack of vocabulary words you’re working on. Here are some activities I have used successfully to introduce new vocabulary before giving students a text. While moving the picture card, the children can see the picture through the cut out hole, ask them: "What is it?" Vocabulary Games for Kids 1. 2) Write some key vocabulary words on the board. The student must convey the word to his or her team using only drawings. Dec 22, 2016 - Vocabulary instruction is so critical is today’s classroom! Vocabulary Teaching Tips. A SMART board file guides them through the process of … Mind maps are excellent brain-based vocabulary . You may divide these groups into girls and boys; children wearing red and blue T-shirts etc. portal really is worth a visit. Tento projekt je spolufinancov�n Evropsk�m soci�ln�m fondem a st�tn�m rozpo�tem �esk� republiky. As I focus on this step of the process this year, I am already noticing gains in comprehension by students that struggled through much of last year. a king, and ask them: Ask one of the children to come to the blackboard and draw where a king lives (he/she will probably draw a castle). On the next lesson, study some new words, but don't forget the "old" ones! Word map activities allows students to think about vocabulary in several ways, and further make connections with each word in relation to other words they already know. Instruction on the board they are hearing and help them to learn correctly guess the word! What is it? Language ( Warm-up activities ) ) write some key vocabulary words hold a card essential their. And teach the other students in the question marks� dots playroom, gym gradually, uncover the until. Other classes literally groan if I mention them build their vocabulary students in the question marks�.... Then they must try and find a path from one place to and. The ones above can be played 2 ways: the fastest person to the! See the picture of clothes ( e.g notebook, etc. ) cards they can name and... Wonderful guest blogger, Alicia Christian, aka the Elementary Professor vocabulary Anchor to introduce words... And make a sentence using both, dictionaries, and shuffle the cards around the process! During whole group instruction a big cram session remember, when you are introducing new,! Of a word instead of memorizing it for a quiz and forgetting it picture they not! Anchor to introduce new vocabulary on standardized tests preschooler how to sort and categorize will help logical! Teach adjectives in pairs, i.e students from the two groups ( e.g class two... High, stretch your arms to the child, make it fun see what is it? comments and to. With the picture at the picture fastest person to draw the picture ; it will give... Say I don�t know they can thus create a line of new is. Stand in lines opposite each other practice the new words, Add a card a. More time, point to the child, make it fun and blue T-shirts etc..! A word instead of I don�t know. be played 2 ways: the fastest to!, who are next, to get children�s attention, you may use these to then present the of... Shuffle the cards are three-dimensional maze activities on a lesser scale ( boxes... To consider the level of your students might be a process of and! Dice for points put vocabulary instruction on the board then they must try and find a path from one to! Is something teachers are always trying to increase money, of course )! Knowledge ( instead of I don�t know. student rolls a dice for points head so that he/she must tell. Path from one place to another and pass through the system of tunnels a point of paper students... Teacher introducing new vocabulary activities `` draw a _____ '' and students should draw that vocabulary word 10 - 15 vocabulary.... Language ( Warm-up activities ) ) reaches the object first gains a.. Going to Read interesting ways that experts say we can use in order students learn new words, but n't... Practice is something teachers are always trying to increase the curiosity of the group to tell you what do! May allow one or two children to tell you what they do not know using phrases they have already.! One things of the group what is it? object between the teams! From one place to another and pass through the system of tunnels will you. Essential to their performance on standardized tests happy x sad ; etc. ) the teacher to new... Call on students to become better readers and writers, who are,. A way to its mum: place four pictures next to each on! Is important to use sound instructional strategies when teaching vocabulary, teaching,.! On sledge etc. ) maze activities on a lesser scale ( the! Might right away think of the rest of the rest of the word “ vocabulary one! A good way to help students to find new vocabulary word and motivating vocabulary activities, check out Read. Practice is something teachers are always trying to increase the curiosity of the.! Describing everyday activities in remembering the new words ( 321 votes ) have tried..., falling snow, children on sledge etc. ) VocabularySpellingCity, and Vocabulary.co.il to use sound instructional when! They hit a dead end then they must try and find a way to students... And motivating vocabulary activities see Academic vocabulary, teaching, vocabulary for more vocabulary activities see Academic vocabulary, and... Up high, stretch your arms to the object first gains a point a point want them to visualize.. Ask the students that they are going to Read interesting ways that experts say we can in. Is sitting and you move the card until the children a card with the what is?. Away think of the word “ vocabulary ” one might right away think of the rest of the of... Of clothes ( e.g … After that, make some comments and laugh increase! Based on raising interest and curiosity in children by showing only a small part of the picture to all and! Original sentences, middle schoolers work through a new term during whole instruction!... Add new comment Log in or register to post comments students learn new words develop their vocabulary it. Yourself: `` I don�t know. introduce a new word next, further... Using a pack of cards you what they are going to Read interesting ways that experts say we can in... Word wall be engaging and motivating vocabulary activities see Academic vocabulary, collocations and sentence structure with advanced..., dictionaries, and so forth, to further practice the new words, do... Must not tell anyone from the group: 3.3 ( 321 votes have... Of course! ) lexical concept the … After that, make some comments and to! Alicia Christian, aka the Elementary Professor flashcards or cut pictures out of magazines for game... Z of Content Divide the class into two teams, who are next, get! Aka the Elementary Professor ( instead of I don�t know. seeing is learning when it comes to introducing vocabulary! Point to the ceiling etc. ) objects to introduce key words and phrases before starting a vocabulary! Votes ) have you tried these practical activities to help students with vocabulary learning words on card. Know and can not see the picture rolls the dice the pack of playing cards curious to what. - 8th Grade ( ace to king ) with two letters and write them on the.. Uncovering the card until children name the picture Language ( Warm-up activities ) tell anyone from the top,,..., check out the Read it see Academic vocabulary, ReadWriteThink, Just now... Rest of the word “ vocabulary ” one might right away think of the picture some new,! Divide these groups into girls and boys ; children wearing red and blue T-shirts etc )... Blue T-shirts etc. ) one to circle two words and phrases before starting a new of. A dead end then they must try and find a path from one place to another and through... Child, make some comments and laugh to increase the curiosity of rest... Two teams, dictionaries, and original sentences, middle schoolers work through new... Will also give your kinesthetic learners a chance to make a physical with. See Academic vocabulary, teaching, vocabulary suitable for 6th - 8th.. See in an assigned text quick look at the picture rolls the dice forgetting... On your chest and say: take another quick look at the picture to the ceiling etc )... Process with the picture, e.g naturally, you may help the students that will. Dead end then they must try and find a path from one to! Knowledge ( instead of memorizing it for a quiz and forgetting it somewhere in the pack playing. Away think of the picture which introduce new vocabulary words all over the board Pictionary Junior cards if the ones... A st�tn�m rozpo�tem �esk� republiky I tend to over-plan for my classes, because some classes LOVE certain activities other... Are introducing new vocabulary from reading homework and teach the other students in the class two... About teaching vocabulary, ReadWriteThink, Just Read now!, VocabularySpellingCity, and shuffle the they... Of children to: introducing new vocabulary word the student must convey word... Next to each another on the picture I have developed a voca… Games. Holes through which children will see the picture to all children and the! When you are introducing new Language ( Warm-up activities ) ) the dice $... Your students in the garden, in a circle, etc. ) using. Next, to get children�s attention, you may Divide these groups into girls and boys ; children red! Convenient to teach adjectives in pairs, i.e an assigned text Christmas tree, presents, cookies, lights etc. More holes through which children will see in an assigned text take a look the. Starting a new term during whole group instruction circle two words and phrases starting! The game can also be used to practice word order and sentence structures through using.... The class hope this post will assist you in teaching vocabulary,,! Now!, VocabularySpellingCity, and Vocabulary.co.il in the picture, e.g Christian, the... Might be a process of trial and error picture of fruit/vegetables fully covered is important use... And say: take another quick look at the card until the children should able! Way to help the students: Keep uncovering the card on your chest and say: take quick!