Word Nerds Whole Group Activities
Name of
Activity
Details
Scramble
Students wear their vocabulary lanyards. Teacher randomly
calls out “Scramble”. Students create a human concept map
with the other students wearing connecting words-synonyms and
antonyms. Students group around the student with the
vocabulary word, placing their hand on the shoulder of student
with the vocabulary word, synonyms on one side, and antonyms
on the other.
Counting
Dude,
Bragging
Dude
Students wear lanyards, divided into 2 groups- “Bragging Dudes”
and “Counting Dudes”, each group stands on one side of room.
The “Dudes” pair up, introduce themselves role playing their
word. The “Bragging Dude” must make a 7 word sentence (the
number of words may be changed depending on the age of
students). The “Counting Dude” must determine if the sentence
is long enough, makes sense, and if the word was used
correctly. If yes, the “Bragging Dude” gets to do a quiet cheer,
happy dance, etc. Students switch roles.
Word
Charades
Students work in small groups to act out a vocabulary word,
while the rest of class guesses the word. Variations can include
skits, tableaus, or skits with words that represent the vocabulary
word.
Vocabulary
Rap
Chain Link
Students rap vocabulary words, synonyms, and antonyms using
music. Example of rap stem-“When I say ____, you say______
(synonym or antonym). Another variation is to have students
make up their own rap and put it to music and dance.
Students wear lanyards. Select one student to come to front of
classroom and pronounce the word and say its meaning. The
rest of the class tries to make a connection with the vocabulary
word and their word (the connection does not necessarily have
to be synonym or antonym, as long as the student can justify the
connection.) When some hands are raised, call one a student to
justify their connection to the first word. If the connection makes
sense, the two students link arms. Ask if another student has a
connection to either of the words, and repeat the process. The
goal is to have all students linking arms. Students do not want to
be the last student standing that does not have a connection.
From Word Nerds Overturf, Montgomery, Smith
Millie Glenn
[email protected]
Word Nerds Small Group and Independent Activities
Name of
Activity
Details
You can use an editable board game template and type the
vocabulary words in the space or use a regular board and
have students draw a vocabulary word from a stack when
they land on a space. Have students roll dice or use a
spinner to make moves. When they land on a space, they
Vocabulary
must use the word in a sentence (you can specify the
Board Games number of words in the sentence) or give an antonym or
synonym. There are lots of possibilities. Also, think of Four
in a Row games, Bingo, Concentration, Go Fish, use
Candyland boards or Chutes and Ladders boards with
student created questions. The possibilities are endless.
Student created flash cards made from index cards stored
on a ring. On the front of the card print the word and draw a
picture, using their vocabulary journal as a reference. On
the back is a 7 word sentence using the word. The cards
Vocabulary
can be used as a review tool, a sort by theme, or have
Rings
students line up cards according to clues and then check
their work. There are a variety of ideas for vocabulary
cards in first grade on-line curriculum, Week 9, “Word Bags”
activity.
Students think about a personal connection to a word in the
vocabulary cycle. They select a color they think symbolizes
the word. On the front of an index card, students write the
Word Colors
word in marker, and color the background the chosen color.
On the back of the card, students justify their reason for
using the color to represent the word.
Word
Illustrations
Students use the letters of the vocabulary word to create a
drawing that represents the meaning of the word.
Power Point
Portrayals
Students create a brief power point, Prezi, or use an
appropriate I-pad app to demonstrate the meaning of a word
and make connections. They can use images to present
examples, and non-examples, use music to match the mood
of the word- give students creative license to create a
meaningful connection to the word. Students share with the
class, and justify why the images are meaningful to them.
From Word Nerds Overturf, Montgomery, Smith
Millie Glenn
[email protected]
Word Nerds Celebration Activities
Name of
Activity
Block Party
Toasting Party
Jeopardy
Party
Details
Students wear their vocabulary lanyards. Cookies, plates, festive
napkins may be part of this celebration. Teacher calls a vocabulary
word, that person wearing that word stands and invites his synonyms
and antonyms to his party. Students mingle with other vocabulary
entourages, introducing themselves as their word, explaining their
meaning, if they are a synonym or antonym of a word and their
relationship. Students socialize while role-playing their words.
Students wear lanyards. One student calls out “Hear, hear!!”
Students then offer their favorite words and the rest of the class offers
a toast in celebration. Students mingle and chat about their words in a
social setting. It doesn’t matter the vocabulary word they choose as
long as they give an academic explanation.
Use a Jeopardy template to create a jeopardy game using the
vocabulary words, synonyms, and antonyms. If possible, involve the
students in writing the questions for games. Words can be current or
words previously learned. Divide class into teams. Be sure students
give their answers in the form of a question.
Deal or No
Deal Party
Use a free online template to play Deal or No Deal. Students may
write their own questions on index cards about the vocabulary words,
the synonyms, or the antonyms. Students play individually by writing
their answers on individual dry erase boards. This is an easy formative
assessment. Call on one of the students to answer the question and
choose a suitcase for the class. When the banker calls, students write
“Deal” or “no Deal” on their boards. Keep questions for the next time.
During a bonus round, ask students to recall previously learned words
and their synonyms and antonyms.
Charades or
Show Me
Party
Divide the class into small groups. Each small group randomly gets
one of the vocabulary words. Each team has a set amount of time to
create a charade or skit that demonstrates its word. In “Charades”,
students must create a skit that is silent. In “Show Me”, talking and
sound effects are allowed. Members of the audience have a marker
and dry erase board. As the group performs, audience members write
down their word guesses. After all groups have performed, students
turn and talk to reflect on how their knowledge of the words has
increased.
From Word Nerds Overturf, Montgomery, Smith
Millie Glenn
[email protected]