Simple But Important Vocabulary Strategies

No matter your subject area, vocabulary is critical for speaking the ‘language’ of the subject, and for building up confidence and comfort with test questions.  In other words, as we approach testing season, it is very important that students are familiar with the vocabulary.

In my classroom, I use several strategies for students to build up comfort with the vocabulary.

At the start of the unit, I give students a list of terms and definitions for the unit.  I usually make these up by using the website http://www.quizlet.com Once you enter the words, you can choose from a list of previously entered definitions for that term.  I try to keep the list to a manageable, not overwhelming amount.   For homework, they have a week to do to options from their vocabulary ‘menu.’  They can do three for extra credit.  This menu includes options such as drawing pictures, using in a sentence, writing definitions, writing a story, etc.

Then within class.....

To read the rest of this post, please read here on our collaborative blog, where it was first posted....

http://crosscurricular.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/vocabulary-strategies/

This is What Happens When You Get Out of the Classroom

I had the opportunity to take my students on a field trip....It was a great experience, mostly because it is so foreign to them.  Every time I plan a field trip it is so much work that I question if I will do it again.  But I always do. It is worth it to see the kids so engaged, and to see kids that struggle in the classroom be so successful in a different setting.  One student had never been out of our county before.  Another, since I teach in a very urban district, had never seen a real chipmunk.  That was a big hit!!  The trip was to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.  It is a program with a local college, so our students got to interact with college students (who were their guides).  They took a guided walk, did a scavenger hunt, and played some games.  The kids were afraid of the bugs and mud, at first, but they settled in and had a great time!  

If you have the opportunity to take your students out of their element, and expose them to new things, do it!!  Testing does not capture all that we do as teachers, or all the growth that our students have, but this is an important part of our role!

Get Results With This Free Review Strategy

Here is a review activity that I have done with my classes. I find many students want a study guide, but don't know how to use it.  In many cases it gets left on the table at the end of class, or best case read through once or twice, which doesn't really give many benefits. Students needs to active learners, but here is one strategy to get them to be active learners. Hope it helps you in your end of the year review.