Gail Hennessey
12-10-2006, 07:53 PM
As a social studies teacher, I utilized several vocabulary activities to help teach the terminology.
1. HISTO- The students place words in a grid(ie: Tic Tac Toe) of 9 or 16 and I then say the definition of the posted words. The first student(students) to get the words across, down or diagonally, to stand and say HISTO, would have to state the word and its meaning. Winners got tickets to use towards less homework, candy treats, ice cream , free book , etc.
2. BLUFF- Students are divided into two teams. A word would be defined. Those that know the answer stand. Those that don't and wish to "bluff" the answer can stand, too. A student is called on to give the definition. If correct, the number of points of students standing is awarded(or deducted if the person called doesn't know the answer).
3. BACK WORDS- A voc. term is placed on the back of each student. They then circulate around the room asking YES or NO questions of others to "guess" the word on their back.
4. CONCENTRATION- like the old game. Small groups are given a list of voc. words and a list of meanings They shuffle the words on a desk face down and then take turns trying to match the word and its definition.
5. DRAW a Word- Students use a word, ie: Open door policy when studying China and try to illustrate the word with a picture.
I'd love to hear from any teachers that have additional vocabulary activities which they use in their classrooms.
Best,
Gail Hennessey
http://www.gailhennessey.com
1. HISTO- The students place words in a grid(ie: Tic Tac Toe) of 9 or 16 and I then say the definition of the posted words. The first student(students) to get the words across, down or diagonally, to stand and say HISTO, would have to state the word and its meaning. Winners got tickets to use towards less homework, candy treats, ice cream , free book , etc.
2. BLUFF- Students are divided into two teams. A word would be defined. Those that know the answer stand. Those that don't and wish to "bluff" the answer can stand, too. A student is called on to give the definition. If correct, the number of points of students standing is awarded(or deducted if the person called doesn't know the answer).
3. BACK WORDS- A voc. term is placed on the back of each student. They then circulate around the room asking YES or NO questions of others to "guess" the word on their back.
4. CONCENTRATION- like the old game. Small groups are given a list of voc. words and a list of meanings They shuffle the words on a desk face down and then take turns trying to match the word and its definition.
5. DRAW a Word- Students use a word, ie: Open door policy when studying China and try to illustrate the word with a picture.
I'd love to hear from any teachers that have additional vocabulary activities which they use in their classrooms.
Best,
Gail Hennessey
http://www.gailhennessey.com