Cards can be joined together in a strip for easy review. On the bottom half, have them draw a picture of the word and use it in a sentence. On the top half, have them write the vocabulary word and definition.

Have students draw a diagonal line across an index card. Continue the activity until all students have visited every station. At each station, ask students to come up with a different, original way to use each word.

Have students work in small groups, rotating between stations. On each sheet, write one vocabulary word. Hang six to eight large sheets of chart paper in various places around the room. The player with the most cards or sticks wins. If they pull the word Pop! they must return all their cards or sticks to the bag and start over. If they correctly define the word, they keep the card or stick. To play, students will take turns drawing cards or sticks out of the bag, reading the word and giving the definition. Write the word Pop! on three to five cards or sticks and add them to the bag as well. Write vocabulary words on cards or craft sticks and place in a paper bag. Follow along and make sure students use the words correctly. Post vocabulary words around the room, then have students circulate and write an original sentence using that word on a sticky note. Have them include words, pictures, examples, real-world connections, definitions, descriptive words, etc. Sketch up some word mapsĬreating word maps from vocabulary words encourages students to find the relationships between the vocabulary word and other words. Allow students to circulate in the room and find their “match.” Switch cards and repeat. Distribute one card to each student (either a word or a definition). Match up words and definitionsĭownload these vocabulary words and matching definitions. Learn more: On the Spot/Upper Elementary Snapshots 3. If the word is guessed before two minutes are up, the team gets a point and play turns to the other team. One at a time, team members give the person a clue about the mystery word. This person is “on the spot.” Place a word on the board so everyone can see it except the person in the chair. Choose one student from one team to go to the front of the room and sit in a chair facing the class with his/her back to the board. Put your students in the “hot seat”ĭivide your class into two teams. Allow students to pair up and share their stories with a partner.

Challenge your students to use all of their vocabulary words in an original short story. Using vocabulary words in writing shows mastery. Check out these fun and engaging vocabulary activities for kids in grades K-12, and give your students the equipment they need to build their wordsmith skills. Your writing becomes so much more interesting and engaging when you have more tools available. Learning new words is like adding to your writing toolbox.

Vocabulary builder activity