The Common Core Teacher Blog

Independent Vocabulary Work - Freebie included

Are you interested in effective independent vocabulary activities for your class?  There are many skill specific vocabulary activities available for teachers, but what do I do with my weekly vocabulary words from my shared reading story?

I created this vocabulary journal card (FREEBIE) that has been so effective at raising vocabulary test scores,  that I wanted to share it with you!  Before students even start to work on their vocabulary independently, we always have a Monday review.  Here is my routine for my vocabulary Monday.  We review each word with this routine.

• Go over the definition
• Give an example sentence (7 words or more)
• Talk about synonyms
• Talk about related words (add and subtract prefixes or suffixes)

Then, I ask students to give me an example sentence for the vocabulary word.  Students love this part of the routine!  When they make up their own sentence, it really helps them to understand and own the word.  If the student doesn't use the word correctly, I can quickly correct the way they have used the word.   It is amazing to see all the students' hands pop up because they want to participate.  It is even more amazing to watch their vocabulary tests as they master these words. 

When we use the vocabulary journal card, students use their glossaries to look up the word.  From the glossary, they write the definition and part of speech.  On their own they will need to finish the rest of the card.  We spend several weeks doing this worksheet together before I ask them to do this independently.   In the synonym/keyword area, if you have 6-7 student thesauruses, they can try to find a synonym.  If students want to just write in a keyword, they can pick one or two words to help them remember the vocabulary word.

For related words, students try to make a related word by adding ( or subtracting) prefixes and suffixes.  Students realize that if they know root words, they can also add (or subtract) prefixes and suffixes to find create new words.  In the 7-up sentence part of this sheet, I ask of my students to write sentences with 7 words or more.  Several times a year, we have a 7-up party to celebrate our 7-up sentences.  I just ask a parent to donate the 7-up and cups, and we have a drink treat before recess. 

The last part of the card is a picture.  I love this part!  Students love this part!  Drawing a picture helps students to really understand and memorize the meaning of this word. 

I hope you love this vocabulary FREEBIE and activity as much as I do!

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/teresa.eldredge/vocabulary-journal-card