How To: Vocabulary Matching Games
The Constitution Vocabulary
Term
Definition
1787
The Constitution is Written
in Philadelphia
Alexander Hamilton
One of the Authors Of the
Federalist Papers
Patrick Henry
Member of the AntiFederalist Movement
James Madison
Major contributor and
Author of the Constitution
Magna Carta
First example of The King
giving up power in England
English Bill of Rights
Further limited the powers
of the King in England
Mayflower Compact
Pilgrim Men agreed to have
fair laws to protect the
people
Articles Of Confederation
First formal Constitution of
The US
®SAISD Social Studies Department
Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.
How To - Vocabulary Matching Games
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When?
How?
Why?
What?
How To: Vocabulary Matching Games
Vocabulary matching games that commonly use the following or a combination of:
• Terms students need to master for learning especially terms associated with the
vocabulary of the discipline
• Definitions that are associated with the terms
• Visual representations associated with the terms
• Examples associated/connected to with the terms
To help develop a student’s ability to recognize and apply the language of the discipline, they
have to practice using the terms in multiple formats. Vocabulary matching games can come in
different forms and complexities, but they all have the basic component of having students
match a term to a representation of what that term means.
When developing a game, try to limit the amount of words used in the game. [Even
with the large amount of terms associated with Social Studies, it is important to chunk
the information]
Come up with variations of the common characteristics of vocabulary matching games.
(For an example, a beginner game would be Term-Visual or Term - Definition - Visual
variety and an advanced game might include the Term - Example variety)
Create the template for the game. Print out and cut out enough sets for your classes.
To conduct the game:
Divide students into small groups (2-3).
Explain the rules of the game to students.
Have students work as a team to complete the challenge you set before them.
Once teams have completed their challenge, have students apply the vocabulary:
Use [Insert Number] of the terms in a paragraph to explain an event / pattern /
concept.
Pick [Insert Number] of the terms to act out an event / pattern / concept.
This strategy can be used at any time during an introductory phase or during the guided
practice phase of a lesson cycle.
®SAISD Social Studies Department
Reproduction rights granted only if copyright information remains intact.
How To - Vocabulary Matching Games
Page 1