Action-Word Lists
Vocabulary Enrichment and/or Word Recognition
These vocabulary words can be used as a core for any small group or in-class activity.
 Act out the word. Put word card in a container, child draws out a word, reads (or
instructor reads for him/her), and the child acts out the word. The other children
guess the action. Play in teams.
 Do whole-group movement activities as directed by the instructor or child.
 Do/identify/say tenses: will wiggle, is wiggling, has wiggled, etc., as they move.
 Identify an action, then demonstrate a character doing the action.
 Do Multiple Meanings (ex. rock); Synonyms (spin/whirl); Antonyms (run/dawdle)
 Use to create similes: _wiggle_ like a _worm_.
 Select several words and use as Story Words; put in Word Books.
 Put on cards and put up on your Word Wall (in categories).
 Combine to make phrases and sentences with other sight words (Dolch/Fry).
 Use in any PowerPoint game, board game, etc.
Action-Word Lists
1. Standing in Place – Make Your Body:
___wiggle
___collapse
___squirm
___shake
___shake
___rock
___bend
___sway
___twist
___bounce
___turn
___bob
___flop
___spin
___whirl
___stretch
___contract
___curl up
___uncurl
___rise up
___fall down
___lean
___sag
___hang
___slouch
___droop
___sink
___tumble
2. Move From Place to Place – Make Your Body:
___creep
___hop
___meander
___crawl
___tramp
___limp
___roll
___hustle
___hobble
___walk
___stride
___stagger
___skip
___prance
___scramble
___run
___strut
___march
___gallop
___stroll
___scurry
___leap
___saunter
___trudge
___gallop
___race
___plod
___amble
___sprint
___slink
___dodge
___dawdle
3. Make Your Legs and Feet:
___kick
___stomp
___shuffle
___tap
___scuff
___drag
___trample
___tip-toe
___slip
___mince
___stumble
___flex
4. Make Your Hands:
___open
___grasp firmly
___close
___clap
___clench
___scratch
___grab
___squeeze
___stroke
___wring
___poke
___knead
___snatch
___pluck
___beckon
___pick
___slap
___pat
___pinch
___poke
___point
___tap
___clasp
___rub
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Action-Word Lists – Page 2
5. Make Your Arms and Hands:
___pound
___reach
___strike
___wave
___grind
___slice
___sweep
___chop
___cut
___push
___beat
___pull
___thrust
___lift
___stir
___weave
___clutch
___dig
___throw
___fling
___catch
___lace
___intertwine
___punch
6. Make Your Face:
___smile
___frown
___look sad
___pout
___grin
___surprised
___afraid
___stare
___glare
___wince
___grimace
___squint
___silly looking
___smirk
___surprised
___pucker up
7. Act –Out These Moods and Emotions on your Face and Body:
___fear
___boredom
___despair
___pain
___wonder
___hope
___rage
___generosity
___pity
___joy
___reverence
___hate
___sorrow
___jealousy
___love
___loneliness
___envy
___compassion
___satisfaction
___resentment
___horror
___frustration
___pride
___disgust
___contentment
___shame
___surprise
___anxiety
___repentance
___gratitude
___contempt
___reluctance
___admiration
___delight
__anticipation
___impatience
___happiness
___doubt
___greed
___gaiety
8. Mime, Act-Out, Dramatize The Following:
___yawning
___mumbling
___sighing
___speaking
___groaning
___cooling
___moaning
___calling
___grunting
___chuckling
___growling
___rustling
___howling
___snoring
___roaring
___whimpering
___bellowing
___wailing
___screeching
___shouting
___screaming
___laughing
___crying
___sneezing
___sobbing
___snickering
___gasping
___tittering
___shrieking
___giggling
___shining
___sniffing
___croaking
___barking
___twittering
___crowing
___squalling
___neighing
___shinnying
___rattling
___cackling
___ringing
___honking
___buzzing
___purring
___ticking
___chirping
___squeaking
___panting
___coughing
___hiccupping
___wheezing
___murmuring
___muttering
___sputtering
___whistling
___hissing
___clanging
___hooting
___creaking
___braying
___whispering
___singing
___humming
Revised and Referenced from: The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists, fifth edition, 2006
By Edward B. Fry and Jacqueline E. Kress
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Innovative Language Interventions for
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