Word Games

An important component involved in having students learn vocabulary is to get them to use it.  As teachers it is good if we can integrate games and activities to help students.  We don't want to just have them define the words and quit or have them write the words multiple times like elementary teachers have their students do to learn spelling words.  We want to get students involved. 

There are three digital places I enjoy using to help students with their vocabulary.  The first one is Kahoot because I can make games using the vocabulary for each section.  I can have questions that are definitions and four choices for the word it is associated or the word with four possible definitions.  Most of the students I've worked with love playing Kahoot.  The second is jeopardy which can be done with either the vocabulary word and have the students give the definition or give them the definition and ask them to come up with the word.  This is good for vocabulary from one chapter or multiple chapters or it could be one of the category choices for a review.  The final is the Quizizz which can be done independently. Students can choose the correct definition of the word or vice versa.

Sometimes, you want students to play vocabulary games that get them up and moving around a bit or give them a break from their digital devices. Last time, I discussed matching games like concentration but today, we'll look at other ones that can easily be used in the classroom.  

One game is a variation of Tic-Tac-Toe. You set up the Tic-Tac-Toe grid with vocabulary words which you've made with the word wall.  Then divide students into teams.  One team chooses a vocabulary word and define it.  If they define it properly, remove the word and replace it with either a O or an X, otherwise leave the vocabulary word there if the definition is incorrect.  Then let the other team choose a vocabulary word to define.  If they are correct, they get the other letter, otherwise the word is let there.  Repeat until there is a winner or no winner.  This can be done with two teams for whole class or with multiple teams so smaller groups can play together at once.

An activity is to use a Cloze activity where the teacher writes two or three sentences with blanks so the students can fill in the blank with the appropriate word.  A variation on this is to call out a word and students write a sentence go express a connection between that math word and another term, situation, concept, or real world application. 

Then we can integrate some art into the study of vocabulary by giving students a blank sheet of paper and a pencil.  The teacher calls out a vocabulary word and lets students draw or doodle a picture representing the word for about 15 to 20 seconds before calling out the next word.  After calling out 5 words, have the students connect their drawings or doodles with a simple line from one to the next till all 5 are connected.  The next step is to have students label their drawings without looking at their vocabulary list or the word wall.  Finally, have the students check their work. 

Here is another use for the vocabulary cards.  Divide students into groups of two or three and make sure each group has a stack of words.  Then have students sort words into groups in as many ways as they can. For instance for geometric shapes they might divide them into quadrilaterals and not quadrilaterals, angles versus sides, shape properties and names of shapes.  This encourages critical thinking and thinking of math in different ways.

Now for some poetry.  Have students choose one word from the word wall and write it on the first line.  They choose two words that are synonyms for the first word and write them on the second line.  The third line is composed of three words that describe the word on the first line.  The fourth and final line is where they write a fact about the first line.  

Most of these activities are short and can be done to support vocabulary learning.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.