vocabulary building assignment

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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36 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities for Every Grade

These activities are the definition of fun!

Learning new words is like adding to your writing toolbox. The more tools available, the more interesting and engaging your writing becomes. Check out these fun and engaging vocabulary activities for kids in grades K-12, and supply your students with the tools they need to build their wordsmith skills.

1. Write vocabulary stories

Using vocabulary words in writing shows mastery. Challenge your students to use all of their vocabulary words in an original short story. Allow students to pair up and share their stories with a partner.

Learn more: Vocab Short Story 

2. Put your students in the hot seat

Divide your class into two teams. Choose one student from one team to go to the front of the room and sit in a chair facing the class with their back to the board. This person is “on the spot.” Place a word on the board so everyone can see it except the person in the chair. One at a time, team members give the person a clue about the mystery word. If the word is guessed before two minutes are up, the team gets a point and play turns to the other team.

Learn more: On the Spot at Upper Elementary Snapshots

3. Match up words and definitions

Download these vocabulary words and matching definitions. Distribute one card to each student (either a word or a definition). Allow students to circulate in the room and find their “match.” Switch cards and repeat.

Learn more: Dictionary Sort

4. Sketch up word maps

Creating word maps from vocabulary words encourages students to find the relationships between the vocabulary word and other words. Have them include words, pictures, examples, real-world connections, definitions, descriptive words, etc.

Learn more: Word Map

5. Create Post-it stations

Post vocabulary words around the room, then have students circulate and write an original sentence using that word on a sticky note. Follow along and make sure students use the words correctly.

Learn more: Post-it Stations

6. Play a game of Pop!

Kids draw cards out of the bag and attempt to correctly spell them. But be careful, you don’t want to draw the Pop! card.

Learn more: Pop!

7. Take a gallery walk

Hang six to eight large sheets of chart paper in various places around the room. On each sheet, write one vocabulary word. Have students work in small groups, rotating between stations. At each station, ask students to come up with a different, original way to use each word. Continue the activity until all students have visited every station.

Learn more: Gallery Walk at TeachWriting.org

8. Play a round of Pictionary

This fun activity requires students to draw a picture for each word to create their own visual dictionary. When students create their own visual representations, they develop an association with the word that they will be able to tap into when needed.

Learn more: Pictionary

9. Make a word map

Word maps help deepen understanding of a vocab word by relating it to other words and concepts students already know.

10. Use the Frayer model

Frayer models are a popular way to learn new words and concepts. Kids define the word in their own terms, then list facts and characteristics, examples, and non-examples.

Learn more: Frayer Model

11. Draw vocabulary Sketchnotes

Kids and teachers love Sketchnotes ! Rather than writing out definitions, have students draw a sketch that sums up each word instead. It’s a lot more fun and gives kids an image for visual association to help them remember the meanings.

Learn more: Sketchnotes

12. Bump words along

Group vocab words together with a few other words with similar meanings and one that’s an antonym. Students identify the antonym and “bump” it to the next box, filling in the next group of words. They continue until the worksheet is full.

Learn more: Bumper Words

13. Post a graffiti wall

Think of a vocabulary graffiti wall like a collaborative word wall. In the classroom, post the words on the wall and have kids add sticky notes to illustrate the term (they can use words or pictures). Online, try a tool like Padlet or Google Slides.

Learn more: Graffiti Wall

14. Match words to describe character

This is a terrific way to practice vocab words pulled from books you’re reading. Ask students to use various words to describe the different characters in the book and their feelings, thoughts, and actions.

Learn more: Vocabulary Activities

15. Fill in words from A to Z

This vocabulary game is fun and challenging, and it can be played by kids of any age. Choose a word, then challenge kids to come up with related words for as many letters as possible. These could be synonyms, antonyms, examples, and more. Trickier letters are worth more points!

Learn more: A to Z

16. Try Flip for vocabulary activities

Are you on the Flip (formerly Flipgrid) bandwagon yet? It’s perfect for vocabulary activities! Have kids record a quick video for each word, using their creativity to make it fun and meaningful.

Learn more: Pop-Up Pods

17. Battle it out in Vocabulary Jeopardy

Good vocabulary activities encourage more than just memorization of definitions. That’s why we like this Jeopardy game idea. It explores synonyms and antonyms and how words are used in real sentences.

Learn more: Not So Wimpy Teacher

18. Use RAFTs to write vocabulary stories

Writing a story using vocab words is a perennial favorite, but the RAFT method gives it a new twist. Students are assigned a Role (the point of view from which they’ll tell the story), an Audience, a Format, and a Topic. For instance, they might be an astronaut (Role) writing a postcard (Format) to their friends back home (Audience) about what they’ve seen on Mars (Topic). RAFTs are especially great for kids who claim they don’t know what to write about.

Learn more: RAFTs

19. Discover the power of words

Vocabulary words take on greater meaning when students incorporate them into their daily lives. Challenge kids to use their vocab words in conversation and writing outside the language arts classroom. Use the free printable worksheet here to help them keep track of how often they use them.

Learn more: Downloadable Vocabulary Activities

20. Create graphic organizers

Colorful organizers like these are terrific vocabulary activities. Want to go digital? Have kids make a slideshow, one slide per word. They can include the same information, but instead of drawing a picture, have them find one online that illustrates the concept.

Learn more: Graphic Organizers at Upper Elementary Snapshots

21. Focus on a Word of the Week

Give really important terms the attention they deserve. Choose a new vocab word each week, then explore it in depth day by day.

Learn more: Word of the Week

22. Join the Million Dollar Word Club

Post a list of target vocab words. If a student uses one of the words in class (outside of vocabulary activities), they become a member of the Million Dollar Word Club! You can have them sign their name on a wall in the classroom or award a badge online. You could even develop this into a reward system for homework passes or extra credit.

Learn more: Million Dollar Words

23. Explore shades of meaning

This is a cool idea for exploring synonyms and the slight differences that make words unique. Ask for paint sample strips at your local hardware store, or buy a clip art set .

Learn more: Shades of Meaning

24. Personify a word with social media

This is one of those vocabulary activities kids will want to do over and over again! Assign each student a word and have them create a faux Facebook, Instagram, or other social media page for it. They can draw them freehand or complete a template like these from Teachers Pay Teachers . Post the images to a shared Google slideshow so other students can use them for review.

Learn more: Social Media Vocabulary

25. Create vocabulary cards

Have students draw a diagonal line across an index card. On the top half, have them write the vocabulary word and definition. On the bottom half, have them draw a picture of the word and use it in a sentence. Cards can be joined together in a strip for easy review.

Learn more: Index Card Vocabulary

26. Play vocabulary word Taboo

In this game, the goal is for one student to get their partner to guess the word by describing or giving examples of it. The trick? There’s a list of additional words they’re not allowed to use! Let other students see the card in advance to help keep the players honest. (Flash it on a whiteboard and have the guesser face away.)

Learn more: Don’t Say It! Vocabulary Game

27. Roll a die for vocabulary activities

Choose a vocab word, then have a student roll a die ( these virtual dice are handy ) to see which activity they get to complete.

Learn more: Roll a Word

28. Write an acrostic

Write an acrostic poem for each vocab term, using the letters to determine the first word in each line. This can get really challenging when words are longer!

Learn more: Acrostic Poem

29. Play vocabulary board games

Everyone knows that playing games is the best way to learn. Try some of these fabulous board games with your students and watch their vocabularies grow.

Learn more: 11 Vocab Games To Make the Learning Stick

30. Become a Word Collector

This is one of those picture books that grown-up kids will enjoy as much as little ones. Use it to remind your kids that they don’t need a vocabulary list to learn new words—new words are all around them. Encourage them to keep a word list or journal of their own to record new words they want to explore and use more often.

Buy it: The Word Collector

31. Play Vocabulary Headbanz

Make or buy headbands with a notch on the front designed to hold a card. Create cards with vocabulary words on them. To play, each student gets a card but can’t see it. Other students will describe the word, trying to get the one wearing the headband to guess the correct word.

Learn more: Vocab Headbanz

32. Go Fish!

A fun and lively way to practice vocabulary words. Create a deck of vocabulary words with two of each word. Explain the rules of Go Fish to students and let them loose!

Learn more: Go Fish Vocab Game

33. String three-letter words

Using wooden letter beads and pipe cleaners, students will form three-letter words that match vocabulary cards.

Learn more: Three-Letter Busy Bag

34. Play vocabulary charades

Everybody loves an exciting round of charades. Break your students into groups, provide them with a stack vocabulary cards, and watch them learn!

Learn more: Word Charades

35. Make words

Use plastic letters, magnet letters, or letter blocks to make words. Play it mentally with older kids, or with paper and pencil. Simply give your children some letters and challenge them to make words from those letters.

Learn more: Make a Word

36. Do a dictionary dig

Send your students on a scavenger hunt … in the dictionary! Exposing kids to the thousands of words in our language is both inspiring and fun. Download the free task cards below.

Learn more: Dictionary Dig

Reading poetry also helps students expand their vocabulary. Check out these must-share poems for elementary school and middle and high school .

Plus, get all the latest teaching tips and ideas when you sign up for our free newsletters .

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23 Effective Vocabulary Activities

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Vocabulary Building Exercises: 31 Resources to Boost Your English Vocab (Plus Tips)

Are you ready to exercise your vocabulary learning muscles?

One BBC article says that if you know the 800 to 1,000 most common English words, you can understand 75% of everyday conversations.

Of course, that number assumes you’re a beginner. To become fluent in a language like English, you’ll need to know at least 10,000 words .

But, as a language teacher, I can honestly say that the more words you know, the better . Otherwise, you’ll have a hard time communicating with native English speakers.

Of course, you can do things like point at objects or make signs/symbols with your hands instead. But those can only get you so far. Eventually, you’ll need to use words—whether in spoken or written form—to express what you really mean.

Without further ado (Without saying any more), let’s get into the vocabulary building exercises to help you practice your English. Later, I’ll also talk about how these exercises can improve your English vocabulary and tips on how to get the most out of them. 

Let’s begin!

Traditional English Vocabulary Exercises

1. multiple-choice, 2. matching exercises, 3. odd one out, 4. word rearrangement, 5. word category tables, 6. word families, 7. find the synonym, 8. find the antonym, 9. translate the sentence, 10. fill in the blanks, 11. srs (spaced repetition system), 12. word search puzzles, 13. crosswords, 14. word games, apps and websites, 15. fluentu, 16. duolingo, 20. 4 pics 1 word, 22. quizlet, 23. vocabulary.com, 24. johnny grammar word challenge, 25. speakspeak english grammar & vocabulary exercises, 26. englishclub vocabulary quizzes, 27. learnenglishfeelgood vocabulary training, 28. “basic vocabulary in use”, 29. “word power made easy”, 30. “practice makes perfect: english vocabulary for beginning esl learners”, 31. “merriam-webster’s vocabulary builder”, how exercises can help you improve your english vocabulary, tips for learning with english vocabulary exercises.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

When you say that something is traditional , you mean that it’s the way something has been done for a relatively long time. So, I call the vocabulary building exercises below “traditional,” because schools have always used them to help students remember what they’ve learned in one form or another. 

Below, I’ve included some of these traditional exercises and what level they’re appropriate for.

Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

As you can guess from the name, this is a type of exercise where you have to choose the right answer from several options. A typical multiple-choice exercise would look like this:

Choose the word that means the same as “big.”

d. miniscule

The correct answer is c , since all of the other answers mean the same thing as small , which is the opposite of big .

Level: Beginner

Matching exercises are very popular with children. These exercises ask the learner to match a word with its picture, English definition or translation into their native language.

For example, does the picture above show a pair of hands, legs or feet? (The answer is hands. )

This type of exercise gives you several words. You then have to guess which one doesn’t belong with the others. For example:

Which of these words does not belong with the rest?

The correct answer is “b,” because  apple is a fruit, while everything else is a type of color .

In this type of exercise, you’ll be given some words that you have to rearrange to form a correct sentence. For example:

Fish animal an is water lives a in that. (The correct answer is “A fish is an animal that lives in water.” )

Level: Intermediate, Advanced

These are a type of word building exercise, where you’re given the base form of a word, and you have to create new words based on it.

For example, how would you fill out this table if you’re given the noun “care?”

Here’s how I would answer it:

In this exercise, you’re going to be given a word, and you have to write as many words related to it as you can.

For example, if the word is bake (to cook food in an oven), you can write baking ( gerund form of “bake”) , baked ( past tense of “bake”), baker (a person who bakes), bakery (a place that sells baked goods), overbake (bake too much), underbake (bake too little), prebake (bake beforehand) and so on.

Remember the very first exercise I introduced, which involved choosing the word that means the same as “big?” Well,  big and  large are examples of  synonyms or words that have the same meaning.

In the same way, small ,  tiny and  miniscule also mean the same thing.

An antonym , on the other hand, has the opposite meaning as the given word.

For example, how would you fill out this table?

The answers are:

Translating sentences is very helpful because you can practice not only your newly learned words, but also your knowledge of English in general (such as grammar and sentence structure ).

There are two main types of translation exercises: English to your native language and vice versa (the other way around). Because translation exercises can be anything, I’ll point you to this post on specific ways to learn English by translation . 

In this type of exercise, there are one or more words missing in a sentence or text, and you have to guess what those missing words are. Sometimes known as “cloze activities,” examples of them can be found here .

If you’ve never heard of a  spaced repetition system ( SRS ) before, it’s a method where you review what you’ve studied within small blocks at a time (like 30 minutes), and gradually increase the time between those blocks.

For example, you might study your house vocabulary on Monday, then on Tuesday, then again on Thursday and again on Sunday. The  objective (thing you want to do or achieve) of this method is to give your brain enough time to absorb what you’ve learned, ensuring that you remember your lessons for as long as possible.

I’ll go into a few apps that can help you  incorporate (include) SRS into your vocabulary studies later. But if you’re not using apps for any reason, you can also use what I call the “double-time” technique.

Basically, it goes like this:

• Start with repeating the words 12 hours after you first learn them.
• Then, repeat them after twice that time has passed (one day or 24 hours), then double the time again (two days or 48 hours) and so on.

If you use this technique, you should be repeating the words after 12 hours, one day, two days, four days, eight days, etc. have passed since you started. The same can be done with whole exercises: Choose three to five vocabulary exercises that are challenging (difficult) for you, and do them again after 12 hours, one day, two days and so on.

You’ll be very impressed with the results!

In a word search exercise, you’ll be given a box or grid of random letters  jumbled (mixed) together, and you have to find certain words according to the instructions.

For example, you may be asked to find words related to the months of the year or animal sounds . Not only are they great for testing the vocabulary you’ve just learned, but they’re also fun to do!

If you’re an intermediate or advanced learner, you can try doing some crosswords in English. You can find these in physical newspapers or even online .

As you can see above, crossword puzzles are made of boxes arranged either  horizontally (lying down) or  vertically (standing up). You have to fill out the boxes based on the clues you’ll be given. The clues have numbers that correspond to (match) groups of boxes.

What makes this game challenging is that:

• the word’s number of letters has to match the number of boxes; and
• if any letter intersects with (goes across) another group of boxes, the intersecting letter has to be the same between the two words

There are many types of word games available. Some come in the form of board games (like Scrabble ), others can be played in your browser (like Spellbound ) and still others can be downloaded to your phone as apps (like CodyCross ).

If you’re serious about practicing the vocabulary you learn, you should definitely give word games a try, no matter your level of English.

If you have a smartphone and internet connection, you can access thousands of vocabulary building exercises at your fingertips—literally! Here are a few of the best ones.

Price: See pricing page here

Available on: iOS | Android

FluentU has many features that can help you learn English vocabulary without even realizing you are actually studying.

Every video comes with subtitles that are interactive and contextual. That means all you have to do is move your mouse over or tap on any word or expression and to get its translation. This will save you a lot of time because you will not have to look words up in a dictionary.

If you need more information about any word, just click on it while you are watching a video. This will open the interactive flashcard system.

FluentU’s flashcards include information such as the different meanings of a word, grammar info, audio recorded by native speakers, sample sentences with audio to see and listen to the word in context and a list of videos where you can find the word being used by native users of English. These flashcards will be all you need if you want to learn everything about any word you hear in the videos.

Price: Free (with in-app purchases)

Duolingo is an app that’s  packed with (full of) exercises to help you build your English vocabulary.

Think of all the traditional exercises we talked about earlier combined into one  handy (useful) tool. It’s that powerful! Plus, it’s a gamified app, meaning it’s designed to make learning feel more like a game and less like another boring thing you need to do.

Of course, Duolingo isn’t perfect. You can read an honest review of the app here .

Like Duolingo, Drops is a gamified app that features a ton of exercises to help you practice your English vocabulary. The lessons feature beautiful images for each word or phrase, making them easier to remember. And if you’re interested in the differences between American and British English , Drops features both of those English dialects!

Drops allows you to learn 3,000 words and phrases, which is enough to help you become conversational, but may leave you wanting more if you want to become fluent. For more information on the advantages and disadvantages of Drops, read this .

Go to the “My Vocabulary” section of your Busuu app, and you’ll find the “trainer” feature. This feature allows you to test how well you remember the words you learned through the app.

You can choose to take a quiz on all of the vocabulary words you’ve studied so far, or just the ones that you feel you’re having a little more trouble with. If you choose the latter option, your best bet is the “Strengthen Vocabulary” feature, which will test the words you previously got wrong.

Before you download this app, make sure to read this Busuu review first.

Available on:  iOS | Android

WordUp is one of the newer English vocabulary apps as of this writing. It can get you closer to native fluency than most apps, as it features 25,000 of the most “useful” English words. These are ranked according to how often they appear in real-world media like movies and TV shows .

WordUp uses  artificial intelligence (AI) to help you identify the words you already know and the words you still need to work on. Visual learners in particular will benefit from this app, because it creates “knowledge maps” where you can see your progress  at a glance (with one look).

If you’re ready to take it up a notch (level up or make something more difficult) without losing the fun factor, there are few better games out there than 4 Pics 1 Word.

As its name suggests, you’ll be given four pictures, and you have to guess the one word that all those pictures have in common. For example, if you see four pictures of crying people, then the answer is “cry.” Of course, not all of the questions are as easy as that, so depending on your level, this could make the game either more interesting or more  intimidating (scary).

Price: $24.99 for iOS; free for Android

Anki is probably the most popular flashcard app for learning languages. That’s because their flashcards are highly customizable , meaning you can create them to fit your learning style, study needs, etc.

You can tag words based on how easy (or how difficult) they are to remember. And if you don’t want to go through all the trouble of making flashcards on your own, you can always download entire decks made by other users!

For more information on how to use Anki for learning languages, go here .

Like Anki, Quizlet is a flashcard app. If you type “english vocabulary” into the search bar, you’ll come up with over 600 pages of flashcard sets related to English vocabulary . Note that some of them are from English to other languages, however, so make sure you’re only using the ones labeled “English-English.”

Quizlet flashcards can be filtered according to the number of terms, the type of user who made them (random user or a teacher) and whether they contain additional features like images and diagrams. If you have an account, you can take advantage of the “Test” feature on each flashcard set to find out how many of the terms you can recall.

Price: Free

Vocabulary.com offers plenty of options for helping you learn vocabulary. You can go the traditional route and use their built-in dictionary and vocabulary lists. Or you can play their vocabulary games to your heart’s content (as much as you’d like)!

I especially like their English VocabTrainer . Using that, you can answer questions in a variety of formats—choosing the picture that best fits the word, choosing the best word to complete a sentence, choosing the synonym or antonym of a word and so on. This is one of the most comprehensive resources for English vocabulary exercises, in my opinion. 

This app from the British Council features 10 English vocabulary topics, including food , travel and small talk . If you want to practice vocabulary in particular, choose the “Words” quiz category, and pick one of three difficulty levels: Easy, Medium and Hard.

The nice thing about this app is that, if you get any answers wrong, you’re going to get detailed feedback. That way, you’ll know not to make the same mistake next time!

Available on: Website

SpeakSpeak sorts English vocabulary exercises according to difficulty level. Those marked A1/A2 are for beginners, those labeled B1/B2 are for intermediate learners and the C1/C2 exercises are for advanced students.

You can choose vocabulary exercises on specific topics like animal body parts, phrasal verbs and plural nouns. Not sure which topic to choose? No problem—just take the general knowledge quizzes for your level.

Similar to SpeakSpeak, the vocabulary exercises on this website are sorted according to topic and difficulty level. They have some fun topics like movies, music and sports. And if you want to try out your mastery of adjectives , idioms and confusing words , the site covers those, too.

To take the quizzes appropriate to your level, scroll down until you find the section called “Graded Vocabulary Quizzes.”

Unlike some of the other websites and apps listed so far, this one doesn’t sort quizzes according to difficulty level. Instead, they’re sorted according to topic.

For visual learners or those who like their quizzes with pictures, there are the “Visual Vocabulary Tests.” Those who want to brush up on their knowledge of holidays in the English-speaking world can scroll down to “Holidays.” And again, if you’re not sure what topic you want to work on right now, you can try any of the exercises under “Other Vocabulary Topics.”

There are also many books specifically designed to teach you vocabulary . This is arguably the most traditional way of getting your vocabulary practice. But I assure you that once you try it, you’ll fall in love with it!

“Basic Vocabulary in Use” is the first in a three-book  series (group of things related to each other) called “English Vocabulary in Use.” Each book will teach you about 1,000 words appropriate for your level.

The format of the book is pretty intuitive (easy to understand without prior knowledge). You have the vocabulary words you’re studying on the left and the exercises on the right. That means you can easily check your answers after you’re done with the exercises—as long as you remember to cover the left side of the book while doing the quizzes.

I know English vocabulary books can get dry and boring at times. Luckily, “Word Power Made Easy” isn’t one of them. 

The words are defined in a way that’s  accessible (easy to understand) for most people. The author also writes  humorously (in a funny way), so you’ll  chuckle (laugh softly) as you go through this book.

Most importantly, the book is packed with quizzes and other review materials, ensuring that you’ll never forget anything you’ve learned from it.

You can think of this one as the physical equivalent of the vocabulary exercise websites I just mentioned earlier. The words are grouped into topics and  accompanied by (come with) over 200 exercises.

Best of all, the exercise answers have audio that you can access using the free McGraw-Hill Language Lab app (available on iOS and Android ). This allows you to strengthen and practice your pronunciation of the new words you learn.

If you’ve ever searched for the meaning of any English word online, chances are you’ve come across a definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary. That’s because the company is  reputable (well-respected), having had a long history of publishing dictionaries all the way back from 1847 !

The cool thing about this one is that, aside from definitions, it also teaches you the Latin and Greek roots of words. This helps you identify their meaning and easily spot similar words in the future.

Of course, the book wouldn’t be featured on this list if it doesn’t have exercises. In fact, it has those in spades (to have a large amount of something). And if you’re preparing for standardized English proficiency exams like the TOEFL and TOEIC, this is a handy resource to have with you.

• They help you remember words and expressions more easily. If you’re only reading a list of words and their translations over and over again, you’ll get bored very fast and learn only a few words (if you learn anything at all). But if you try to learn the same list of words with the help of exercises, you’ll have more fun and learn many more new words. When you learn new words in context, you’re more likely to enjoy what you’re doing and have a greater chance of reaching your goal of increasing your English vocabulary.
• They help you improve all four of the main language skills: listening, writing, reading and speaking. Many exercises concentrate on the written form, but others (especially those from apps or websites) have other features. Some of them have audio, others have reading comprehension exercises and still others encourage you to say the new words you learned out loud using speech recognition.
• They help you break the  infamous (famous for being terrible) “Intermediate Plateau.” Also known as the “language learning plateau,” this is where you feel like you’re not learning fast enough or at all. Since this is often caused by the lack of vocabulary, it makes sense that exercises that build your English vocabulary can help you break the plateau and go to the next level.
• Keep a notebook. I’m a huge fan of writing new words in a notebook and creating sentences with them. This is a  superb (great) exercise that will help you practice vocabulary and grammar at the same time. Plus, since you’re writing, you’ll be practicing one of the four major language skills and better remember what you’ve learned.
• Choose the right level for you. If you’re a beginner, you’ll get discouraged if you try to do exercises meant for advanced learners. Likewise, if you’re an advanced learner, you’ll get bored with exercises that are too easy for your level. Ideally, you should take exercises that are one level above yours, but no higher than that. This will challenge you enough to grow, but not scare you enough that you’ll give up altogether.
• Use the newly learned words in context. No matter how many words you memorize, you’ll eventually forget them if you don’t use them. So take advantage of these exercises to use your newly  acquired (gotten) vocabulary as much as possible.
• Create your own vocabulary exercises. If none of the available exercises quite fit your needs, you can always make your own! All you need are a list of words you want to study, your imagination and a type of exercise. The exercise might be your own invention, or you could take inspiration from the existing ones above. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find out what works for you!
• Mix things up. To mix things up means to change or add something to what you’re currently doing. Instead of doing the same types of exercises, you can do things like learn English vocabulary from memes , choose five words for the day and use them to greet your friends and family, or do all of these other things to help you learn English vocabulary .

Now, you’re ready to use English vocabulary exercises in a way that will allow you to get the most out of them.

As you can see, the options are practically endless. You just have to choose the methods and techniques that work best for you.

Remember that learning English vocabulary can be fun and enjoyable if you do it correctly.

Use the tips included in this post, and you’ll feel the difference.

Happy English vocabulary learning!

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5 Brain-Based Vocabulary Activities for the Secondary Classroom

Trying to find some new practice activities for your existing vocabulary units? These brain-based vocabulary approaches are unique — perhaps just what you need. 

Do your students smile at you when you begin a vocabulary lesson? Do they act interested or ask questions? Are they willing to try using the words in their own speaking and writing? Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I’m “on” with my vocabulary instruction, my students are, too. They’re into it, learning, and motivated. In contrast, when I rush through vocabulary instruction because of time constraints, lack of preparation, or simply lack of enthusiasm, my students can read me like an open book.

Previously, I wrote about increasing vocabulary retention in the secondary classroom. Retention is ultimately the goal of vocabulary instruction, but in order to get there, teachers need to differentiate their instruction and practice activities to reach all types of learners, which includes adding variety through learning styles and critical thinking levels. While I provided a few ideas regarding how students can interact with vocabulary words in the last post, I’d like to get more specific and explore several unique and creative avenues that teachers can incorporate into their curriculums. I teach ELA, but these brain-based vocabulary ideas can apply to word lists from any content area.

BRAIN-BASED VOCABULARY LEARNING

3 truths and a lie.

Games are fun. If your classroom culture calls for games, engagement, and student-directed learning, try out 3 truths and a lie. The best part about this game (other than the fact that it’s enjoyable) is that students create it. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE making games to use my classroom . Yet, vocabulary is a perfect vehicle for students to be in charge of their learning, to create something meaningful.

Put students in charge.

I simply ask them to select a word from their list and then to write down four statements about that word. I encourage them to think about the word’s part of speech, the definition, related and unrelated words, associations they may have, and the word’s personality. One of the statements they write should be a lie.

Here’s an example:

• Ubiquitous is kind of like the plague. Even if you don’t like it, you can’t get rid of it.
• Ubiquitous is an adverb.
• Ubiquitous is cousins with the words “pervasive” and “universal.”
• If cockroaches were ubiquitous, I’d move to Mars.

Your students can get as creative (or as simplistic) as they want with their sentences. After creating them, collect the statements, and put students in small groups. Have them discuss the words and statements to try to identify the lie ( in the example above, the lie is #2 ). If you’re concerned about the accuracy of your students’ sentences and want to avoid unnecessary confusion, read through them first and have students work in groups to discuss them the next day.

Why this works: 

1. Students are doing the thinking.

2. It can be straightforward (recall) or higher-order thinking (analytical), so it’s differentiated by nature.

3. It’s engaging.

4. Students will remember many of the lies and the truths, so it will help them to retain the word meanings longer.

Bumper Words

Bumper words is a categorizing activity that helps students to learn the relationships between words on their list. If you plan to use a bumper words activity, keep that in mind when selecting your word list so that it’s easier to create the assignment. Here’s how it works. 

Teacher-Directed

You (the teacher) group the words into categories. You can make this into a worksheet or a graphic organizer, or you can just write them on the board to use as a class activity. Another option is to create a manipulative for small groups or station use. When you put the words into groups (of 3 to 5 is best), all of the words should relate  except for one . The students’ job is to figure out which word is  not related, and they  bump it to the next word group. It’s a chain effect. Here’s an example:

As you can see, in the first group of words, abase, demean, and humiliate can all be related, but extol does not fit. So, it gets bumped to group two, where students look for another ill-fitting word that is then bumped to group 3, and so on. When creating this activity, you can use words that are  not on your vocabulary list to complement the ones that are.

Student-Directed

Again, if you want to ask your students to think more critically about their words, you can ask  them to create a bumper words chain using all or some of the words on their list. This works well as a group assignment. Students could create their bumper words combinations on a piece of easel paper or large poster board, and then groups can rotate around the room to try to solve each other’s puzzles. If you choose to have students create their own examples, it would be beneficial to show them how to make one by modeling it together or analyzing an existing example first.

1. Students are thinking about the words and how they relate to other  words, thereby making associations – great for brain-based vocabulary learning!

2. Once again, this activity can be differentiated by ability level.

3. It engages students in meaningful interaction with their words.

4. It’s unique…your students probably haven’t heard of this one before. Ride the novelty wave.  

Personify a Word Using Social Media

Because social media is such a pervasive aspect of twenty-first century learning, I’m always looking for healthy ways to incorporate it in my classroom. One of the things I love about teaching vocabulary is that it can be creative. Words can be given personalities based on their meaning. I often ask students to personify a word in order to get them to think about it differently.

Word Personalities

Here are four of my favorite assignments that include word personalities using social media:

• Facebook : Have students create a Facebook poster based on one of the words on their list.
• Twitter : Ask students to create a Twitter profile and feed for a word.
• Instagram : Students can create a scrapbook or Instagram posts for their word.
• Pinterest :   Give students the task of creating a Pinterest profile for a word, including a list of boards and pins that would relate to that word.

When I give students assignments like these, I find it’s beneficial to allow them to choose a word  they want to learn  after discussing what they will do with it. I always encourage students to select a  new word…one they either have never heard of, or one they have heard of but cannot explain. By discussing the task before selecting the word, students will be able to choose a word they  want to use to complete the assignment, and ownership is key when it comes to creativity.

Some struggling readers and writers might be overwhelmed if we ask them to select any word they want, so it’s a great differentiation / scaffolding option to have a list of suggestions prepared.

Why this works:

1. In order to do any of these assignments WELL, students must think  deeply and  meaningfully about the word.

2. Students will take it upon themselves to analyze the social media outlet more closely than they have in the past. What text structures does it have? What is the common language and culture of the site? These questions must be studied and answered before creating a product.

3. It hooks students by allowing them to utilize their creativity and social natures to learn about vocabulary.

4. It is easy to incorporate technology. While students can create a poster like the one above, they could also use digital platforms to complete the assignment.  

Pictures, Short Films, & Music

A fun way to incorporate writing into your brain-based vocabulary instruction is through the use of pictures, short films, and music. They can all be used similarly for this assignment. Although numerous options exist, these three ideas are a good place to start:

Student Research

1. Simply ask students to do some research and find a certain number of pictures, short films, or songs that relate to words on their vocabulary list. You could have them focus specifically on one word and find a picture, a short film, and a song that relates to it, or you could ask them to choose ten words off the list and find one connection for each word. Either way, students are building onto existing knowledge about a word and using critical thinking skills to make meaningful connections. I like to have my students write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining their connections to the word.

Bell Ringers

Another way to use these elements is to incorporate them as bell ringers. Each day, begin the class by projecting an image, showing a short film, or playing a song for students. After watching or listening, ask students to make connections between the artwork and words on their vocabulary list. To elicit more participation, I have my students write their thoughts first, then talk with a partner, and finally share with the class.

Give your students a sheet of small images (I like to using small pictures they can color), and tell them to match each picture to a word on their vocabulary list. They can then explain in a few short sentences why each picture and word relate. Simple but effective. Here is a resource you can use for any list.

1. Music, movies, and pictures are embedded in our culture. Students appreciate learning opportunities that incorporate media relevant to their lives.

2. This assignment is a simple way to differentiate by learning styles. It appeals to students who are musical and visual by nature.

3. Once again, forming connections to vocabulary words will help students remember them longer.

4. It can be scaffolded for students on various scales of the literacy ladder.  

I use mind maps as choice assignments throughout the year with various aspects of my curriculum. Mind maps are excellent brain-based vocabulary . activities that help students retain the definition of a word instead of memorizing it for a quiz and forgetting it.

When I assign mind maps in relation to vocabulary words, I generally have students select one word from our list instead of several because the connections will be more meaningful for them.

A good tip is to first ask students to circle any words on their vocabulary list that they cannot define on the spot — in that moment. Afterward, have them choose one word they want to study more intentionally, and then introduce the mind map assignment. If you give them the specifics of the assignment  first, they might be more likely to select an “easy” word from the list.

I like to project example mind maps (you can easily find some by googling the term “vocabulary mind maps”). Together, we analyze the structure, design, and content of the example maps to determine students’ options. We also talk about my expectations (what’s acceptable and what’s not). In this way, we essentially develop a student-generated rubric on the spot. Bonus.

What can students incorporate in their mind maps? I encourage mine to use the basics (relate it to synonyms, antonyms, and examples), but I also ask them to stretch their imaginations to incorporate visual components, categories related to the word, colors that symbolize the word, and other symbolic elements.

1. Research shows that mind maps are brain-based learning activities.

2. Thinking symbolically about a word helps students to deepen their understanding of it.

3. Mind maps require students to engage with a word meaningfully from different angles for an extended period of time.

4. It combines right-brain creative style learning with left-brain logic style learning, resulting in a powerful and memorable experience.  

Inspired and wanting more vocabulary ideas? Read this sister post in which I discuss  five more of my favorite, brain-based vocabulary practice activities for the secondary classroom .

Grab a Free Template!

You might find this free, editable vocabulary template to be helpful in getting started.

Before using any of these brain-based vocabulary strategies in your classroom, you will need to establish a solid list of words. For some inspiration regarding how to strategically and effectively select word lists, click on over to Lauralee at Language Arts Classroom . She has some insights to share with you!

RELATED RESOURCE:

This vocabulary bundle contains numerous resources to engage students in meaningful brain-based vocabulary practice with any word list.

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• 45 Building Vocabulary Skills

Start-Up Activity

Ask your students if they know what the main part of a word is called (the root). Every root has its own special meaning. Write the following roots on the board and ask students to write words that contain them and define each word as best as they can:

• geo (earth)
• mem (remember) 
• therm (heat) 

Afterward, explain that the parts that come before and after a word's root can change the meaning drastically. Just consider the difference between friendly and unfriendly .

Note that this chapter includes a list of common word parts, which your students can use to understand unfamiliar words and build their vocabulary. The chapter also includes many other strategies for learning the meaning of words.

Think About It

“Today, English is believed to have the most words of any modern language—and it’s still evolving.”

—Patricia T. O’Conner

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4.A
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4.B
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4.C
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.A
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.B
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.C
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.4

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

Lafs.k12.r.2.4, lafs.4.rl.2.4, lafs.4.ri.2.4, lafs.4.l.3.4, lafs.5.rl.2.4, lafs.5.ri.2.4, lafs.5.l.3.4, lafs.4.w.2.4, lafs.5.w.2.4, teks covered in this chapter, 110.6.b.3.b, 110.6.b.3.c, 110.6.b.3.a, 110.7.b.10.d, 110.7.b.3.b, 110.7.b.3.c, 110.7.b.3.a, 110.6.b.11.a, 110.7.b.11.a, page 342 from writers express, strategies for building your vocabulary, 1. read and check..

Demonstrate how reading and checking for context can help students figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. Context clues may appear in the same sentence as the difficult word, as well as in sentences that surround it.

Next, closely review the list of sample context clues.

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Page 343 from Writers Express

2. use a dictionary..

Review the different types of information found in a dictionary. (A sample dictionary page appears on page 344.) You can also point students to print dictionaries in your classroom and demonstrate how to use an online dictionary.

Discovering Word Origins (Etymology)

Use shared inquiry to find word origins.

Page 344 from Writers Express

Sample dictionary page.

Review the different features of the sample dictionary page. Then ask students to find this additional information:

• What does the noun mush mean? (corn meal boiled in milk or water to make porridge)
• What does the verb mush mean? (to drive a dogsled over snow)
• What part of speech is the word muscular ? (adjective)
• What Greek word did muse derive from? (Mousa)
• In what two ways can muse be used as a noun? ( Muse can refer to one of the divine sisters in Greek mythology or to a person who guides, inspires, or advocates for an endeavor.)

Page 345 from Writers Express

3. use a thesaurus..

Explain that a thesaurus can help writers look for new words to express ideas. While a dictionary search begins with an unfamiliar word, a thesaurus search begins with a familiar word and leads to many new terms that have a similar meaning. Give these tips:

• Use a thesaurus to find precise words for writing.
• Before using an unfamiliar word from a thesaurus, look it up in a dictionary to make sure you understand the meaning. (A chortle is very different from a horselaugh .)
• Don't use a thesaurus to find big and complex words just to "sound smart."

Have students complete the minilessons using a thesaurus.

Replacing General Nouns with Specific Nouns

Identify and replace general nouns.

Replacing Dull Verbs with Vivid Verbs

Energize students' writing with vivid verbs.

Page 346 from Writers Express

4. keep a personal dictionary..

Show students how to create a personal dictionary. They can create entries on note cards, as shown on this page.

As an alternative, students can create and maintain a personal electronic dictionary by saving the same type of information on a computer or mobile device. Cloud-based applications such as Evernote allow students to access their personal dictionaries on any device connected to the Web.

Page 347 from Writers Express

5. learn about word parts..

Introduce students to the three basic word parts:

• prefixes (word beginnings)
• suffixes (word endings)
• roots (word bases)

6. Watch for word families.

Then discuss how knowing common word parts can help students understand different word families. Word families are groups of words that are built from the same basic word. For example, knowing the meaning of bio (life) can help a student figure out the meaning of other words, such as biology , biography , and biome .

Let your students know that they can check the lists of most common prefixes, suffixes, and roots whenever they have questions about word parts.

Page 348 from Writers Express

Define prefixes for students—word parts that come before the root or base word. Explain that this page and the next show the most common prefixes.

Give time for students to examine the list of common prefixes. Then challenge students to think of more words that begin with one of the prefixes from the list. 

Page 349 from Writers Express

Prefixes (continued), page 350 from writers express.

Define suffixes for your students—word parts that come at the end of a word. Then provide them time to scan the list of common suffixes. Ask for volunteers to share more words that end with one of the suffixes on this page. 

Page 351 from Writers Express

Define the meaning of  roots for your students—the main part, or base, of a word. Provide time for students to review the list of common roots on the next seven pages. Ask for volunteers to point out a root meaning that they found interesting or surprising. 

Page 352 from Writers Express

Roots (continued), page 353 from writers express, roots (continued), page 354 from writers express, page 355 from writers express, page 356 from writers express, page 357 from writers express, page 358 from writers express, using vocabulary words correctly.

Discuss how the word choices students make in their writing can project a formal or casual tone of voice. Point out that it is important that students use words that fit the purpose of their writing. To drive home this point, compare word formality with clothing choices. Just as wearing a swimsuit to a formal dance is inappropriate, using slang and emojis in formal writing is wrong.

Use the minilesson as an extension activity.

Deciding When to Use Formal and Informal Language

Match language with purpose and audience.

• 01 A Basic Writing Guide
• 02 Understanding the Writing Process
• 03 One Writer's Process
• 04 Qualities of Writing
• 05 Selecting and Collecting
• 06 Focusing and Organizing
• 07 Writing and Revising
• 09 Publishing
• 10 Writing Basic Sentences
• 11 Combining Sentences
• 12 Writing Paragraphs
• 13 Understanding Writing Terms and Techniques
• 14 Understanding Text Structures
• 15 Writing in Journals
• 16 Using Learning Logs
• 17 Writing Emails and Blogs
• 18 Writing Personal Narratives
• 19 Writing Fantasies
• 20 Writing Realistic Stories
• 21 Writing Stories from History
• 22 Responding to Narrative Prompts
• 23 Writing Explanatory Essays
• 24 Writing Process Essays
• 25 Writing Comparison-Contrast Essays
• 26 Responding to Explanatory Prompts
• 27 Writing Persuasive Essays
• 28 Writing Persuasive Letters
• 29 Writing Problem-Solution Essays
• 30 Responding to Persuasive Prompts
• 31 Writing Book Reviews
• 32 Writing About Literature
• 33 Responding to Literature Prompts
• 34 Writing Reports
• 35 Writing Research Reports
• 36 Writing Summaries
• 37 Writing Plays
• 38 Writing Poems
• 39 Communicating Online
• 40 Researching Online
• 41 Staying Safe Online
• 42 Reading Strategies for Fiction
• 43 Reading Strategies for Nonfiction
• 44 Reading Graphics
• 46 Becoming a Better Speller
• 47 Giving Speeches
• 48 Improving Viewing Skills
• 49 Improving Listening Skills
• 50 Using Graphic Organizers
• 51 Thinking and Writing
• 52 Thinking Clearly
• 53 Thinking Creatively
• 54 Completing Assignments
• 55 Working in Groups
• 56 Taking Tests
• 57 Taking Good Notes
• 58 Marking Punctuation
• 59 Editing for Mechanics
• 60 Check Your Spelling
• 61 Using the Right Word
• 62 Understanding Sentences
• 63 Understanding Our Language

Tools for Building Vocabulary

At this time when upheaval and uncertainty are magnified by the challenges of social-distancing, we at Merriam-Webster are reminded again of the various powers of language: as a tool that clarifies thought and enables expression and understanding, as a refuge from worrying events and circumstances, as a fabric that binds people together. We hope that since you're here you can use what we have to offer to feed your mind, to build your (or your kid's) vocabulary, and to hone your communication skills—while having lots of fun doing it.

Get the most out of your dictionary experience.

First some tips on using the resources described below:

• Try a variety of things and see what works best for you. You may find that the Word of the Day is a nice anchor for daily word exploration, or that a few minutes playing a game or reading an article can clear your mind to make it easier to focus on whatever your next task is.
• Use your language exploration as a way to connect with others: challenge a friend to beat your score on one of the Weekly Challenge quizzes, or see how many of the Words We're Watching words you read about are known to your friends and family.
• If game scores motivate you, use them to challenge yourself. But feel free to ignore them if that makes the experience more pleasurable. You'll learn more if you're enjoying yourself.

The Word of the Day

It's never too late to subscribe to the Word of the Day . This free daily vocabulary-building tool has been providing deep dives into terms that vary from prosaic to obscure since September 1995. You'll be introduced to words you've never heard before, and learn new facts about words you use every day. (The Word of the Day is available as a podcast too.)

With apologies to Ben Franklin (however apocryphal the quote we're mangling), games are the Internet's way of saying it loves us and wants us to be happy. How better to build your vocabulary than to make a game of it? There's a GAMES tab near the top left corner of each page at Merriam-Webster.com, and it takes you to a lovely place where the daylight between linguistic edification and good fun is vanishingly small. Start with the monthly quiz on the previous month's Word of the Day selections, and move on to other Weekly Challenge quizzes, on topics ranging from Greek and Roman mythology to food to music to nature and the seasons. There are also anagram and crossword puzzles, spelling challenges, object identification quizzes, word searches, and more.

Eager to access these and the dictionary itself no matter the size of the screen in front of you? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary app gives you games, the Word of the Day, and more than 225,000 definitions to take with you wherever you go. With voice search, audio pronunciations, an integrated thesaurus, and a way to track favorite words you've looked up, it makes keeping your vocabulary up easy to do, no matter where you are.

Especially for Kids: PUKU

Specially created for students ages 8-12, Puku is an app that makes learning vocabulary words into a game. Players help Puku, a virtual pet, grow by mastering new words from any of three sources: ongoing leveled lists, custom collections related to a category of interest, like Food or Mythology, or user-created lists easily populated with Merriam-Webster definitions. Teachers can create and share word lists with students too.

Our Puku vocabulary learning app provides another “good screen time” resource for kids ages 8-12! Simply sign in, hand it off, and kids can follow a personalized learning path, or they (ok, maybe you) can make their own vocab lists for books or schoolwork—an easy way to add on to lessons if you are supervising “home school.”

Try Puku free for 7 days on iPhone or Android .

Language Basics

If you've got an urge to revisit the language basics—just what is a participle again?—there are a number of articles that jog your memory, or help you finally master the knowledge formerly only partly learned. Start with '8 Grammar Terms You Used to Know, But Forgot' to get the lowdown on subjects and predicates, nouns and verb, pronouns, objects, prepositions, gerunds, and participles. Then check out '8 More Grammar Terms You Used to Know: Special Verb Edition' to master verbs in all their forms and tenses.

So Much More

Merriam-Webster.com's Words at Play page offers plenty to feed a mind distracted but not ready to sink into binge-watching oblivion. At the top of the page are two sections that highlight content new to, or especially popular at, Merriam-Webster.com. Below that is Words We're Watching: articles devoted to words that have yet to meet our criteria for entry.

Further down the page there's plenty more: Usage & Grammar content helps you be sure you've got mastery over the language you know and use, and Commonly Confused articles clarify the differences between word pairs that tend to trip people up.

Of course, if you want to just see all the stuff all at once, you can scroll through the whole kit and caboodle .

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

Obscure & Fun

Great big list of beautiful and useless words, vol. 3, 17 of the finest words for drinking, 9 whiskery words for facial hair, 8 uncommon words related to love, strange words for body functions, great big list of beautiful and useless words, vol. 4, 9 other words for beautiful, why jaywalking is called jaywalking, the words of the week - may 17, birds say the darndest things, grammar & usage, more words you always have to look up, 'fewer' and 'less', 7 pairs of commonly confused words, more commonly misspelled words, your vs. you're: how to use them correctly.

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November 7, 2018 VG Teaching Resources Vocab & ELA Res , Vocab Gal , ELA K-5 , ELA Seasonal Back to School , ELA 6-8 , ELA Resources - Activities , ELA 9-12 , ELA PD - Classroom Management , ELA PD - Vocabulary , ELA Focus - Writing with Vocabulary , ELA Focus - Vocabulary

11 vocabulary homework ideas and how to motivate students to do it, by: vocab gal.

Homework is such a valuable formative assessment for both teachers and students, and yet students are motivated* by many different factors when it comes to their desire to actually complete the work. In this article, I'm sharing how to motivate students to do their homework and 11 vocabulary homework ideas and worksheets that work in grades 1–12. Plus, preview and grab my 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework Kit .

Keep scrolling to find vocabulary homework ideas! 

How to motivate students to do their homework.

As a teacher, I try to concentrate students’ learning on activities done in class, because asking some students to complete work at home can be daunting. Many times in my career I have been discouraged when more than half the class does not return to class with their homework assignment complete.

Yet we only have so many minutes with our students, and we need them to practice the concepts and skills they are learning until the knowledge becomes ingrained. Most students have a homeroom, study hall, or other downtime during the day in which they could complete activities, they just have to be motivated to do it.

Many studies cite “student choice” as one of the most important factors in inspiring students to learn. When students have the opportunity to select what questions to answer, what activity to complete or what role to play, they tend to feel more comfortable and confident about performing.

Additionally, research shows that when students are dedicated to a task important to them, like improving their video game scores, or optimizing their success on a playing field, they will go to great lengths to improve. While probably not as meaningful as their video game level, students will be more excited to answer questions about themselves than a generic worksheet.

By providing students with both choice and a topic that is personally meaningful, homework can be a great learning exercise as well as an important formative assessment.

Steps to Ensure Students Complete Homework

There are a few other motivating factors that can help establish homework as a meaningful part of a student’s educational experience. Here are suggested steps a school, parish, department, or teacher might take to ensure successful homework completion.

Step One First, confirm that students have a strong rapport with their teacher(s). While it is difficult to cultivate a deep relationship with each student, teachers should strive to show students that they value their students and are committed to helping them learn and grow to their fullest potential. I would encourage teachers not to assign homework for the first few weeks of school until they develop a classroom community of respect and appreciation for learning.

Step Two Second, once the classroom community has been established, teachers should specifically explain the importance of homework as a way of deeply ingraining knowledge. Teachers should also make it clear that homework is a meaningful formative assessment where both they and their students can understand what students know and where there are knowledge gaps.

Step Three Third, some students may be quite unhappy when being mandated to do specific work. Therefore, teachers should stress the choices a student gets when completing their homework and that students get to complete the work that best reflects their own sense of self.

Step Four Finally, the teacher should praise students individually, as well as praise the class when homework is turned in on time. Many students thrive on positive reinforcement and also many may feel guilt if they let their classmates or teacher down. Additionally, as many teachers know, a word of encouragement or a small sticker can make the difference to many.

How to Respond When Homework is Not Completed

When at last it comes time for homework collection, there will be students who did not complete the assignment, no matter how well it was set up. Teachers can again encourage students who did not complete the homework in time to think about what may motivate them to complete it. If a student seems to dislike direct mandates, providing support such as, “I know that you value your learning and will find a way to demonstrate your abilities,” might be more effective than, “Turn in your paper by Thursday or it’s a zero!”

For others who seem driven by the need to please or help others, teachers might encourage students by stating, “I’m disappointed that you weren’t able to complete your work on time, and I know you will submit your work in order to show us both what you know and understand,” might work better than, “Don’t you want the credit for this assignment?”

Vocabulary Homework Ideas for Students

For this post, I have a few homework assignments that model these ideas. Both in my new It's All About Me vocabulary practice page, and my tried-and true,  7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle, students are motivated to continue their learning because they have both choice and a focus on themselves, a topic in which they are already invested.

My new It's All About Me Vocabulary Activity tasks students with answering a series of questions about themselves using vocabulary words in context. On the first page of this download students will list their vocabulary words and write their own brief definitions. On the second page student will answer eight prompts. Each response should include at least one of the vocabulary words from their list in context . In each of their answers students must underline the context clues that would help someone unfamiliar with the word understand what it means.

With the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle, students can choose from a variety of fun and engaging activities for learning or reviewing vocabulary words. In addition to the homework selection sheet, the bundle includes worksheets for vocabulary homework ideas number five and six. The other vocabulary homework options can be completed on a plain piece of paper or in student workbooks.

Here are the vocabulary activities listed on the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework handout:

#1 Say Your Words

Do you love the sound of your own voice? Do you tend to learn information by teaching others? Then try saying each of the vocabulary words, out loud and in context, to friends, family, strangers, etc. Use either your flashcards or your list of words, and make sure to get initials from someone who heard you say your vocabulary sentence. If you can’t get a signature, just explain when and how you said the sentences and we will invoke the HONOR SYSTEM! Create two sentences per word.

Do you love to write? Do you copy your notes to help you remember information? Then try writing two sentences for each vocabulary word. These can either be two individual sentences for each word or you can put all of your words together in a story. (If you write a story, you only have to use each word once). Have fun and get creative – amuse me and impress me, but make sure you use your vocabulary words in context!

#3 Write Your Words in Other Classes

As an alternative to the above “Write your Words,” use your vocabulary in your assignments for other classes – social studies essays, science notes, art descriptions, etc. Write down the vocabulary you used for this assignment (For example: On my science test I said “Newton was meritorious,” etc.). You can abbreviate your explanations slightly, as long as I understand you know the word’s meaning; remember to use each word twice.

#4 Become Your Words

Do you gesture when you talk? Is it hard for you to sit still? Then consider creating motions to go along with your words. Cry for lament , raise your arms in praise for approbation , etc. See me during class to “perform” your motions, or write them down, making sure that the connection between word, meaning, and gesture makes sense.

#5 Draw Your Words

Are you an artist? Do you constantly doodle? Then create cartoons or drawings that illustrate each word’s meaning. Create one drawing or cartoon per word and make them neat, using clean white paper (consider using recycled paper that has printing on the other side). Paperclip all your drawings together for the end of the week.

#6 Sing Your Words

Do you love to sing? Are you constantly creating your own raps? Try rewriting the lyrics to a song to incorporate each of your vocabulary words or write your own song, rap, etc. You can also write poetry; regardless of the form you choose, the words should be used in the correct context.

#7 Test Your Words

Do you want to play teacher and write the test as well as take it? Now you can! Create a vocabulary test using all the words in a variety of different types of questions. Make sure to create the answer key to the test as well.

Download the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle and have students keep the selection sheet in their binders. Now they have seven weeks of vocabulary homework assignments!

Additional Vocabulary Homework Ideas

Ultimately, establishing a culture of community and trust in the classroom, explaining the reasoning behind and the benefits of homework, and providing choice and meaningful topics can make a significant difference in completion rates. Even if homework is not completed on time, teachers can still work to connect with each student to provide motivation to complete the assignments.

As educators, we all strive to make learning exciting and applicable to our students. By setting up clear expectations and providing interesting options, we can make any homework, including vocabulary homework, meaningful and valuable to students.

 *I have recently completed Gretchen Rubin’s audiobook The Four Tendencies about what motivates different groups of people. Many of the ideas about motivating students come loosely from her book as well as my own observations. I highly recommend the book to anyone wanting to learn how to better motivate themselves and others.

ESL001: Elementary English as a Second Language

Vocabulary Building Practice

The activities below give you the opportunity to find out how well you understand vocabulary-building strategies. If you have a difficult time recognizing these strategies, you may return to review the information in the Let's Study section and then try these practice activities again.

Use the context to figure out the meaning of the underlined word.

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

5.4 Building Your Vocabulary

Learning objectives.

• Recognize the importance of building your vocabulary.
• Master techniques for building your vocabulary.

Both leaders and advertisers inspire people to take action by choosing their words carefully and using them precisely. A good vocabulary is essential for success in any role that involves communication, and just about every role in life requires good communication skills. We include this section on vocabulary in this chapter on reading because of the connections between vocabulary building and reading. Building your vocabulary will make your reading easier, and reading is the best way to build your vocabulary.

Learning new words can be fun and does not need to involve tedious rote memorization of word lists. The first step, as in any other aspect of the learning cycle, is to prepare yourself to learn. Consciously decide that you want to improve your vocabulary; decide you want to be a student of words. Work to become more aware of the words around you: the words you hear, the words you read, the words you say, and those you write.

Do you have a lazy vocabulary? Wake it up with the “lazy speech” exercise.

Activity: Lazy Speech

Recruit a friend you spend a lot of time with. Give them an index card with the following words written on it and ask them to keep a tally of the number of times you say these words sometime when you are together for an hour or more. If you have a small recorder, give it to the person and ask them to record you at a time you are not aware of it.

• Ummm or Uhh

Include in this list any other words, including expletives, that you may be using without thinking.

Are there words you constantly overuse? Were you surprised at how often you used some of these expressions? Now that you are aware of the frequency you use certain expressions, what strategies can you use to control or substitute more articulate and expressive words for them?

Building a stronger vocabulary should start with a strong foundation of healthy word use. Just as you can bring your overuse of certain words to your conscious awareness in the previous activity, think about the kinds of words you should be using more frequently. Some of the words you might consciously practice are actually very simple ones you already know but significantly underuse or use imprecisely. For example, many students say he or she “goes” instead of he or she “says.” If you take it a step further, you can consider more accurate choices still. Perhaps, he “claims” or she “argues.” Maybe he “insists” or “assumes.” Or it could be that she “believes” or she “suggests.” This may seem like a small matter, but it’s important from both a reader’s and a writer’s perspective to distinguish among the different meanings. And you can develop greater awareness by bringing some of these words into your speech.

These habits are easier to put into action if you have more and better material to draw upon: a stronger vocabulary. The following tips will help you gain and correctly use more words.

• Be on the lookout for new words. Most will come to you as you read, but they may also appear in an instructor’s lecture, a class discussion, or a casual conversation with a friend. They may pop up in random places like billboards, menus, or even online ads!
• Write down the new words you encounter, along with the sentences in which they were used. Do this in your notes with new words from a class or reading assignment. If a new word does not come from a class, you can write it on just about anything, but make sure you write it. Many word lovers carry a small notepad or a stack of index cards specifically for this purpose.
• Infer the meaning of the word. The context in which the word is used may give you a good clue about its meaning. Do you recognize a common word root in the word? (Check Table 5.3 “Common Latin and Greek Word Roots” for common roots.) What do you think it means?
• Look up the word in a dictionary. Do this as soon as possible (but only after inferring the meaning). When you are reading, you should have a dictionary at hand for this purpose. In other situations, do this within a couple hours, definitely during the same day. How does the dictionary definition compare with what you inferred?
• Write the word in a sentence, ideally one that is relevant to you. If the word has more than one definition, write a sentence for each.
• Say the word out loud and then say the definition and the sentence you wrote.
• Use the word. Find occasion to use the word in speech or writing over the next two days.
• Schedule a weekly review with yourself to go over your new words and their meanings.

Table 5.3 Common Latin and Greek Word Roots

Where Have You Been All My Life?

The following are some fun ways to find new words:

• When you look up a word in the dictionary, look at other interesting words on the same page.
• Solve crossword puzzles.
• Play word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or Pictionary.
• Watch movies.
• Listen to speeches and attend lectures.
• Go to comedy clubs.
• Have discussions (not just casual conversations) with friends.
• Read some more.

Key Takeaways

• The best way to build your vocabulary is to read, and a stronger vocabulary makes it easier and more fun to read.
• Be aware of your own lazy vocabulary and try to avoid those words and expressions.
• Look for new words everywhere, not just in class readings.
• Before you look up a word in the dictionary, infer its meaning based on its context and roots.
• After you look up a word in the dictionary, write your own sentence using the new word. Say the word and definition out loud.
• Use the new word as soon as possible.

Checkpoint Exercises

Which words do you habitually overuse? Do your friends overuse the same words? How can you collaborate to correct that overuse?

__________________________________________________________________

During the course of the day, find five new words in five different places. What were those words, and where did you uncover them?

What do the words “manuscript,” “scribe,” and “scribble” have in common? Can you detect the same root in these words?

What do you think the root means?

College Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Online Class: Vocabulary Building

• 25 Exams & Assignments
• 5,402 Students have taken this course
• 5 Hours average time

Course Description

Elevate Your Communication: A Comprehensive Vocabulary Enhancement Course

In an era of rapid communication, where each word can make an impact, your vocabulary stands as a beacon of your knowledge, adaptability, and clarity. Whether you're a budding writer, an aspiring public speaker, or simply someone who values articulate communication, this course offers the perfect pathway to elevate your language skills.

Have you ever felt that hesitation in conversation, unable to find the precise word to convey your thoughts? Studies have shown that individuals with a robust vocabulary command greater attention, enjoy clearer conversations, and often leave lasting impressions. A study conducted in 2022 revealed that enhanced vocabulary skills contribute significantly to career advancement, fostering better interpersonal relationships and understanding.

Course Overview:

"Vocabulary Building" aims to fortify your existing language arsenal with nuanced words apt for day-to-day interactions. This isn't about bombarding you with archaic words but enlightening you with versatile terms that can enrich your daily conversations.

A fortified vocabulary isn't just an academic tool—it's a life skill. It aids in:

• Precision in Expression: Articulate your thoughts, feelings, and observations with unparalleled clarity.
• Professional Growth: Stand out in job interviews, presentations, or negotiations.
• Building Relationships: Engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with peers, family, and professionals.
• Academic Excellence: Enhance comprehension and writing skills, essential for excelling in assignments and examinations.

Tailored Learning Experience:

Our course sits perfectly between basic and advanced levels, designed for the vast majority who wish to propel their intermediate language skills to greater heights. With a focus on practical application, the curriculum involves reading in varied contexts, crafting sentences, and engaging in interactive exercises and quizzes.

Moreover, in a unique offering, our seasoned instructors will provide personalized feedback on your written submissions, ensuring that learning is both interactive and constructive.

Course Breakdown:

• Introduction: Dive into the importance of vocabulary enhancement and set the pace for your linguistic journey.
• Read, Read, and Read: Understand the power of reading as a tool for vocabulary expansion, exploring diverse genres and authors.
• Synonyms & Antonyms: Delve deep into the world of similar and opposite words, enhancing depth and variation in expression.
• Homonyms & Homographs: Master the art of context with words that sound or look alike but differ in meaning.
• Words of Foreign Origin: Embrace the global nature of English, exploring words borrowed from different languages.
• Misleading Words: Navigate the tricky terrain of words that often confuse, ensuring precision in usage.
• Power Words: Unearth words that command attention, perfect for persuasive writing and impactful speeches.
• Verbal Analogies: Enhance logical thinking by drawing comparisons between words and ideas.
• Vocabulary-Building Exercises: Regular practice modules to consolidate learning and test progress.

The world of words is vast, diverse, and incredibly fascinating. With each session, you'll discover not just new words, but new worlds, ideas, and expressions. As British writer W. Somerset Maugham once said, "The crown of literature is poetry. It is its end and aim. It is the sublimest activity of the human mind. It is the achievement of beauty and delicacy."

Why remain confined to a limited linguistic palette when a spectrum of words awaits you? Embark on this enriching journey, and witness the transformation in your communication, confidence, and comprehension. Enroll today and pave your path to linguistic excellence!

Course Motivation

Communication is how we use words to interact with each other. In order to become a successful communicator and to get ahead in life, you probably need to improve your vocabulary to sound composed and professional. Having the proper vocabulary makes you sound smarter and feel more assured, because the ability to say exactly what you mean, using and pronouncing essential words correctly, gives you power and status.

This online course will tackle "learning new words" a little differently. We'll be working on some "essential" words (this is not an advanced vocabulary course). The words will not be obscure. They will be words you'll hear or read daily and are expected to know the meaning of, and to use in your everyday conversation. They'll be words you're slightly familiar with, but can't quite use in everyday conversation. You can figure them out in "context," but on a test without other cues, you might draw a blank. Experts agree that you don't really acquire a word until you come across it three times.

• Strengthening your writing skills
• Improving your public speaking presence
• You’ll sound smarter
• Your confidence will soar
• Your horizons will be broadened
• A middle to high school reading level (with a real comfort with the English language)
• Access to a hard copy dictionary and thesaurus (You don't even have to buy one--you can check them out from your local library)
• To learn nearly 200 new words or phrases
• To unearth the secret of reading in context
• To know and use the words both in general conversation and in written sentences
• To establish a pattern of memorizing any new words you’ll come across
• Increasing your confidence and comfort level when using new words for the first few times

Over the course of an introduction and 10 self-paced, self-contained lessons:

Lesson 1: Read, Read & Read

Lesson 2: Synonyms

Lesson 3: Synonyms continued

Lesson 4: Homonyms, Homophones & Homographs

Lesson 5: Words of Foreign Origin

Lesson 6: Misleading Words

Lesson 7: Power Words

Lesson 8: Knowing Antonyms

Lesson 9: Verbal Analogies

Lesson 10: More Vocabulary Building Exercises

• You can gain respect in your social circle
• You’ll encourage your intellectual development
• You’ll develop your personality
• You’ll increase your skill at influencing people
• You’ll enjoy clearer thinking and reading
• And it can help your put your career on the fast-track!

Unlike many classes, Vocabulary Building doesn't require that you wait around twiddling your thumbs, waiting for enrollment to open. Instead of wasting time, you have the freedom to register today--right now even! If you're sick and tired of feeling foolish, then the smart thing to do is to do something about. Now that you're all out of excuses, what are you waiting for? Sign up now!

• Completely Online
• Printable Lessons

• 6 Months to Complete
• 24/7 Availability
• Start Anytime
• PC & Mac Compatible
• Android & iOS Friendly
• Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons

Introduction

Lesson 2: Read, Read, and Read

Lesson 3: Synonyms

Lesson 4: Synonyms Continued

Lesson 5: homonyms and homographs, lesson 6: words of foreign origin, lesson 7: misleading words, lesson 8: power words, lesson 9: knowing antonyms, lesson 10: verbal analogies, lesson 11: more vocabulary-building exercises, learning outcomes.

• Describe the best practices to build vocabulary.
• Define and use synonyms.
• Define and use homonyms and homographs.
• Define and use words of foreign origin.
• Recognize misleading words.
• Define and use power words.
• Define and use antonyms.
• Define and use verbal analogies.
• Summarize vocabulary building exercises to use daily.
• Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.

Additional Course Information

• Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
• Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
• Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
• View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
• Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Choose Your Subscription Plan

Student testimonials.

• "I really enjoyed this course. It was my first vocabulary course and I was really impressed with everything I learned." -- Erika S.
• "The instructor was great. I could ask for no better. She was fair, insightful, intelligent, she often gave comments that helped me and was very inspirational. She is a wonderful instructor and I would be delighted to have her as an instructor again." -- Lori D.
• "All of it was helpful!" -- Sharon J.
• "Enjoyed the course! The class was very helpful, I really loved improving my vocabulary...Thank God that I had six months to complete the course because I became ill during the time that I was register." -- Lillian J.
• "The instructor was excellent. She was thorough and prompt. She contributed a real human touch to this computerized classwork." -- Gretchen T.
• "I found the lessons to be very helpful. I really enjoyed this Instuctor, she was very nice and extremly helpful." -- Kellie R.
• "I really enjoyed being able to print the text and read it at my leisure." -- Juree H.
• "The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and like I said got back to me almost immediately." -- Donna N.
• "My instructor was EXCELLENT! She also was instructive, patient, and encouraging during this course. All parts of course were helpful, I have an increased knowledge and awareness of words when reading or writing." -- Helen M.
• "The instructor was very helpful, encouraging, and positive." -- James L.

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Determining the APPropriate Length of an Assignment

I was creating a vocabulary-building exercise for my university students, for which they would listen to a LeVar Burton Reads podcast (he picks and masterfully narrates stories) episode of my choice. The students would be limited to a select number of unfamiliar words and then do the following for each word: 1) Write the definition in their own words 2) Write the sentence they heard the word in 3) Find another sentence online using the same word 4) Use the word in a sentence they create The only question left was the “select number.” That is, how many words would be appropriate for a 1-hour podcast episode for this set of students? I originally set the number at 10 because I wanted to make the assignment “long enough.” I didn’t want them to just breeze past this assignment in a few minutes and move on, unaffected. However, I ultimately decided to cut it down to 5 words, because making an assignment long for the sake of being long does not make it effective .

The three areas that had a big impact on this shift in my thinking were alignment, purpose, and parameters (APP).

A lignment: How does it align with the aims of the course?

I am teaching a reading and writing course to 21 high-intermediate level sophomores at a Japanese university. Vocabulary building is one of the tasks required by the course curriculum for assessment. It was originally called “vocabulary journal” but I and several other teachers requested the change to allow for more flexibility. My students want to improve their TOEIC scores and study abroad, and thus would benefit very much from increased vocabulary. I also wanted vocabulary building to be a clearly distinct exercise from the extensive reading they were already doing. A colleague of mine mentioned using LeVar Burton Reads with our students. I was already interested in podcasts and audiobooks and figured that listening to stories would be a refreshing change of pace from reading them on a screen. They would hear a voice other than mine or my partner teacher’s. They could hear the pronunciation of words new and familiar to them. LeVar Burton is an advocate and lover of reading, so who better to have read to my students?

P urpose: What is the purpose of this assignment?

Building is active. In order for them to actively build vocabulary, this assignment has three parts: meaning (#1), context (#2 and #3), and application (#4). For meaning, I don’t simply want them to copy a definition from the dictionary: I want them to use the vocabulary they currently possess to demonstrate their understanding of the meaning. Next, I don’t want them to study a word in isolation—they need to consider the context they originally heard it in. Because they are listening only, I ask them to get the sentence as closely as they can (I show them the original later). To help with this, I was intentional with the online audio player I chose. They could not only rewind or fast forward 15 seconds, but they could also move the cursor along the audio range slider to the exact point that they want. If they end up hearing a different word than what was originally said and still complete the tasks successfully, they still get credit for it. From there, context building continues with them looking for another usage of the word online. Finally, they make their own sentences to apply what they’ve learned. The aim is for the students to develop comfort with their words, to come upon them somewhere else at a later time and not have to grab the dictionary. Equally as important, I don’t want enjoyment of the story (and the narration of it) to get lost in doing tasks that are too time-consuming.

P arameters: What are the factors I am working with? Vocabulary building is assigned once a month, and I give the students 3 to 4 weeks to complete it. Considering that for my class alone they have monthly extensive reading, biweekly extensive writing, quizzes, and projects, I believe this is fair. This frequency takes some of the pressure off and, hopefully, allows them to set aside time to actually build vocabulary. After all, I’d rather my students have a solid knowledge of 5 words than an okay knowledge of 10. Results from the first vocabulary building assignment showed that a few students struggled to fully grasp the meaning of 1 of their words, a problem that would have surely multiplied had the assignment been longer. I originally didn’t want students to breeze past the assignment, but the truth is that the best of assignments can and do get rushed through usually (but not only) because students wait until the last minute to do them. If I am providing a reasonable amount of time, then the missed benefits are related to their own actions.

Further Considerations

One consideration is how to further solidify the students’ knowledge of these words. After all, repeated exposure is how we learn. Currently, I am considering an end-of-semester assignment or incorporating it into the required summer project. Another consideration is adjusting the number of words depending on the length of each episode. Their second vocabulary building assignment is with a 30-minute episode, but I decided to keep the number the same to see how that works.

Your context is different from mine, but these questions still apply. I teach other courses with different sets of students, and I use them for those as well. Of course you also need to consider your learners, their needs, their levels (to name a few!), and adjust accordingly. You also have to consider your own beliefs and experiences: I know what it’s like trying to navigate in a second language (Japanese), and that also informs my decisions. 

There’s no set length that’s going to work perfectly for every learner. It’s helpful to be flexible and open to change as well, as even previously successful tasks may require tweaking. However, APP can help you get closer to determining what works for you right now.

Author’s Biography: Monique Bloomfield is a New York City native who graduated from The New School’s MA TESOL program in 2016. She is currently a Global Teaching Fellow at Tokyo International University. You can find her on LinkedIn .

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