You (the teacher) group the words into categories. If you plan to use a bumper words activity, keep that in mind when selecting your word list so that it’s easier to create the assignment. Bumper Wordsīumper words is a categorizing activity that helps students to learn the relationships between words on their list. Students will remember many of the lies and the truths, so it will help them to retain the word meanings longer. It can be straightforward (recall) or higher-order thinking (analytical), so it’s differentiated by nature.Ĥ. If you’re concerned about the accuracy of your students’ sentences and want to avoid unnecessary confusion, read through them first and have students work in groups to discuss them the next day. Have them discuss the words and statements to try to identify the lie ( in the example above, the lie is #2). After creating them, collect the statements, and put students in small groups. Your students can get as creative (or as simplistic) as they want with their sentences. If cockroaches were ubiquitous, I’d move to Mars.Ubiquitous is cousins with the words “pervasive” and “universal.”. ![]() Even if you don’t like it, you can’t get rid of it. Ubiquitous is kind of like the plague.One of the statements they write should be a lie. I encourage them to think about the word’s part of speech, the definition, related and unrelated words, associations they may have, and the word’s personality. I simply ask them to select a word from their list and then to write down four statements about that word. Yet, vocabulary is a perfect vehicle for students to be in charge of their learning, to create something meaningful. ![]() Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE making games to use my classroom. The best part about this game (other than the fact that it’s enjoyable) is that students create it. If your classroom culture calls for games, engagement, and student-directed learning, try out 3 truths and a lie. I teach ELA, but these brain-based vocabulary ideas can apply to word lists from any content area.īRAIN-BASED VOCABULARY LEARNING 3 Truths and a Lie While I provided a few ideas regarding how students can interact with vocabulary words in the last post, I’d like to get more specific and explore several unique and creative avenues that teachers can incorporate into their curriculums. Retention is ultimately the goal of vocabulary instruction, but in order to get there, teachers need to differentiate their instruction and practice activities to reach all types of learners, which includes adding variety through learning styles and critical thinking levels. ![]() ![]() Previously, I wrote about increasing vocabulary retentionin the secondary classroom. In contrast, when I rush through vocabulary instruction because of time constraints, lack of preparation, or simply lack of enthusiasm, my students can read me like an open book. They’re into it, learning, and motivated. Trying to find some new practice activities for your existing vocabulary units? These brain-based vocabulary approaches are unique - perhaps just what you need.ĭo your students smile at you when you begin a vocabulary lesson? Do they act interested or ask questions? Are they willing to try using the words in their own speaking and writing? Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I’m “on” with my vocabulary instruction, my students are, too.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |