Vocabulary

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Home : 2002 : October : 30

Vocabulary
By A from Delaware

My class loves and is very successful with vocabulary-we also have about 6-8 new words each week.
On Fridays after their reading test they copy the new words and definitions (they look up the meaning) into a small vocabulary
notebook that I provide at the beginning of the year.
On the following Mon.-Thurs. I spend about 10-20 mins doing vocabulary review. It may be a game I call "popcorn" where I give a clue to a word and they pop up and say it when I snap. Or, give out words or put them on the board and have the children write sentences with blanks and trade with a partner.
At this time we

have about 50 words in our vocabulary to use since I keep adding words and any past word can be used too.
On Thursdays I give a vocabulary test and the parents know it is every Thursday. The test consist of anywhere from 15-20 items. I have match the word with the clue, fill in the blanks, and sometimes they need to write sentences with 1 or more words.
One fun part-and the children love it-is that whenever a student hears someone say a vocabulary word when they read aloud or speak they can yell "VOCABULARY" in class. (The district superintendent came to my class to read aloud 2 years ago. There happened to be a vocabulary word in the book he read. His presence did not stop my class-they screamed out "VOCABULARY"-I was so embarrassed-he went right along with it and asked them what the word meant-It was great!)
It makes them listen better and many of them try hard to use their vocabulary when they speak in class and at home.
The best part is that I also give the students a small sticker whenever they find a vocabulary word new or review in a written item-book, newspaper etc. The only exception I have is that it cannot be from the reading book or workbook since that is where the words originate from.