Vocabulary Activities For Little Learners

Roll a Word

Students need a vocabulary word list or stack of word cards.  This activity should be played with partners or small groups.  Students take turns choosing a card/word.  Then student rolls a dice and follows the prompt on the Roll a Word sheet.  Other players determine if the answer is correct.  Players take turns until the teacher decides that the time is up.

Vocab Short Stories

Writing stories is the ultimate determination of whether or not a student truly understands the meaning of his/her vocabulary words.  The teacher writes the vocabulary words that he/she would like the students to use when writing their short stories before making copies.  Students need to use all the vocabulary words in context all while forming a short story.  This activity comes with templates for 8 words, 10 words, or 12 words as well as with or without space for drawing a picture to match the story.

Parts of Speech

Nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs are an important piece of students learning grammar so why not combine them with vocabulary word practice?  Students read the words at the top of their sheet  and then sort them into the proper grammar categories.  This worksheet is available in 8 words, 10 words, or 12 words templates.

Draw a Word

Drawing detailed pictures of a word’s meaning is another powerful tool to help students learn, understand, and retain a new vocabulary word.  The teacher can choose the six words prior to making copies or the student can choose the six trickiest words.

Vocabulary Headbandz

Vocabulary Headbandz is a fun game that students love.  Simply print off your vocabulary words onto these free editable vocabulary cards.  Each student attaches a vocabulary word card to their headband.  The youngest participant takes the first turn.  Then play passes to the left. When it’s your turn, just flip over the timer and ask each of the players a question that will help you figure out what the picture is on your head.   Once you’ve asked each player a question, simply begin another round and then another. If you guess the vocabulary word before the timer runs out, simply take another card and put it behind your headband. Continue to ask questions until the timer runs out.  For each vocabulary word that is guessed correctly, you get a point. The player with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.

Memory/Concentration

Memory (also known as Concentration) can be played two different ways.  Students can have two stack of vocabulary words and take turns turning over two cards in an effort to get a match.  Each time a card is turned, the student turning the card has to read the word aloud and use it in a sentence.  If the student gets a match, he/she can keep the match and go again.  If the student does not get a match, the next player takes a turn.  Another variation of the game would be to have one copy of cards have the vocabulary words printed on them.  The other set of cards has the definitions printed on them.

Vocabulary Display

Vocabulary displays can be a powerful instructional tool.  Complete the vocabulary posters with the students.  Provide the students with their own vocabulary mini-posters to complete with the teacher.  If you have more than one word per day, make multiple copies of each word and display them all.  Leave this information up on the wall all week and at the end of the week, the expo marker can be wiped off with Lysol wipes or a Mr. Clean magic eraser.

Vocabulary Bingo

After the class has learned at least twenty-five different vocabulary words, bingo is a great option that students love to play that will provide a great opportunity to review.  Students simply write a vocabulary word in each space of their bingo card.  The teacher provides the definition of one of the words and the student finds the vocabulary word and covers it with a bingo chip.  The first student to get 5 in a row, 4 corners, or black out wins the game.

Vocabulary Dice

Vocabulary dice can be used with any list of vocabulary words.  Give each student a list or stack of vocabulary words.  Students can do this activity independently or with a partner.  Once a word is chosen, the student rolls the dice and follows the prompt on the dice.  Answers can be provided verbally or written on a piece of paper or marker board.

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