Vocab Activity Exemplars Refer to this for examples of how to do each activity. 1. Personified Vocabulary Vocabulary Detectives Re-­‐envision your vocab word as a “person,” and write a description that explains your personification. 6. E.G.O.T. Sentences An E.G.O.T. is a special vocabulary word that fits four categories (not easy to find), then you put all four forms in one silly sentence. 2. Create a Cartoon 3. Vocabulary Haikus 4. Synonym & Antonym Lists 5. Symbolic Representations This art-­‐doesn’t-­‐
count-­‐against-­‐
you task requires use of a vocab word in a caption or dialogue bubble. 7. Root-­‐Related Write a nature-­‐
inspired 17-­‐
syllable poem that uses your vocab word. Don’t waste syllables! Create an original figurative representation for your vocab word, then write a strong justification. Word Lists 8. Showing Sentences Match your vocabulary word’s part of speech when making these lists of antonyms & synonyms. 9. Sub Con Investigate the Greek and Latin roots in your vocabulary word, then find different words that use the same root. Write an action-­‐
verb inspired sentence that shows you know how to create a context clue or two for your reader. Sentences 10. 50 Word Mini-­‐
Story Practice sentence variety by writing two complex sentences (with subordinating conjunctions) using the vocab word in each one. Write a 50 word mini-­‐story with characters, a setting, a beginning, middle, and end, and using the word at least three times. Only use each activity one time per week. Make good choices based on your vocabulary words’ meanings…and the different forms your word can come in. Personified Vocabulary Re-­‐envision your vocab word as a “person,” and write a description that explains your personification. Give him or her characteristics that match the word. To earn 10 points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  The visual must be neatly represented. Clip art is acceptable. •  The character’s name is a reference to the word. •  The description must interestingly refer to the personified character’s job, clothing, or mannerisms in a way that matches the word. •  The description must be at least 3 sentences long and mostly error free. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking spelling and capitalization. •  Including any related forms of the word. •  Showing me you care about the project by making it good Create a Cartoon This art-­‐doesn’t count against you task requires use of a vocab word in a caption or dialogue bubble. Create a comic (one or two scenes) that uses the word in the caption and includes context clues. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  The cartoon must be neatly presented, appear planned, and make sense for the word. •  The caption and/or the dialogue bubble must use the word or one of its forms correctly and in a context that helps explain the word. •  Every word in the cartoon is spelled, capitalized, and punctuated correctly. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking your spelling and capitalization. •  Including any related forms of the word. •  Showing you care about the writing by making it good. Vocabulary Haiku Write a 17 syllable haiku using your vocabulary word. Traditionally, haikus are about nature or demonstrate a juxtaposition, or contrasting situation. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  The haiku juxtaposes two items, or it’s about nature. •  The haiku follows the 5-­‐7-­‐5 syllable pattern. •  Include a visual for the poem. It can be clip art. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking your spelling and capitalization. •  Including any related forms of the word •  Using high-­‐quality words in your haiku; don’t waste your limited syllables Synonym & Antonym List For this activity, find three respectable synonyms and antonyms of your word in the same part of speech. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  All antonyms and synonyms are the same part of speech as the vocab word. •  All antonyms and synonyms are respectable or robust words. •  A visual of some sort complements the word’s meaning; it can be clip art. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking your spelling and capitalization. •  Including any related forms of the word. •  Making sure it is error free. This is the easiest of the vocab activities, so you will be marked down for the tiniest of errors. Symbolic Representation Create an original figurative representation (a picture of some sort) for your vocab word, then explain your symbolic choice. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  The symbolic representation is based on an original idea, not a cliché or a picture of the actual word. •  The description is at least 2 sentences long and error free. •  The description makes it very clear why the symbol was chosen. •  The symbolic representation must be neatly and visually represented. Clip art is acceptable. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking your spelling and capitalization. •  Creating a metaphor for the word, not a picture of the word. •  Including any related forms of the word •  Making sure your writing is exemplary E.G.O.T Sentences E.G.O.T stands for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. Very few actors/performers have won all four awards. And like an E.G.O.T, some very talented words are able to fit into four categories– noun, verb, adjective, and adverb. If you find a word that can fit every category, you have an E.G.O.T!! To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  All four forms of the word are labeled with their parts of speech. •  Write one sentence using all four words, or four sentences with one word each, or any combination thereof, using context clues to help clarify the the word. •  Spelling, capitalization, and punctuation are near perfect. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double check your spelling and capitalization. •  Find an adjective that doesn’t simply end in –ed or –ing. •  Making sure your sentences are exemplary. Root-­‐Related Word List Investigate the Greek and Latin roots in your vocabulary word, and then find different words that use the same root. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  The Greek or Latin root is correctly identified. •  The related words’ definitions are written in the student’s own words and the part of speech is identified. •  Three actual root related words have been included. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double check your spelling and capitalization. •  Making sure your writing is error free. •  The list has been neatly presented. Showing Sentences Write an action-­‐verb inspired sentence that shows you know how to create a context clue or two for your reader. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  Write a sentence that includes context clues hinting at the vocabulary word’s meaning. •  Include three action verbs and underline them in the sentence. •  Include a visual to represent your sentences. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double check your spelling and capitalization. •  Including any related forms of the word. •  Making sure your writing is error free. •  Finding an extra action verb to underline. Sub-­‐Con Sentences Practice sentence variety by writing two complex sentences (with subordinating conjunctions) using the vocab word in each one. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  Each sentence must include a different subordinating conjunction from the following list: while, when, where, although, unless, until, whenever, whether •  The sentences contain context clues. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double check your spelling and capitalization. •  Showing you care about your writing by making it high quality and original Stand by for an exemplar!! 50 Word Mini-­‐Story Write a 50 word mini-­‐story with characters, a setting, a beginning, middle, and end, and using the word at least three times. To earn ten points: •  The vocabulary word must be defined correctly, the part of speech identified, and where it was found must be cited. •  Note any other forms of the word if there are any. •  Your story can only be 50 words and contains the vocabulary word in the correct context. •  You must have all the necessary elements of plot: characters, setting, a conflict, and a resolution. Ensure you earn ten points by: •  Double checking your spelling and capitalization. •  Showing you care about your writing by making it high quality and original