Vocabulary
Role-Play
Building Vocabulary
Through Dramatization
By Wally Perez and John Vazquez
Goals
» Goal 1: To use English to
communicate in Social Settings.
» Goal 2: To use English to achieve
academically in all content areas.
» Goal 3: To use English in socially and
culturally appropriate ways.
Step by Step
» Identify key vocabulary
» Teach the lesson or read the book
» Connect the vocabulary to past
experiences
» Sort the words
» Plan ways to use the word
» Give the students time to practice
» Perform the scenes
» Focus the scenes
» Focus on multiple word meanings
Identify Key Vocabulary
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Humble
Serenade
Haughty
Ignored
Elegant
Rage
Seized
Sobbed
Weeping
Realize
Teach the Lesson or Read
the Book
» As you teach or read stop as you
encounter the vocabulary and discuss
and act out the words.
» Pronounce words carefully.
» Place words on a chart.
Connect the Vocabulary to
Past Experience
» Ask students to talk about ways in
which they have seen the words
used.
» Explore multiple meanings of words.
Sort the Words
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Engage the students in word sorting.
Movement Words
Names for Things
Descriptive Words
» Cognates, Synonyms, and Antonyms
Plan Ways to Use the Words
» Have students create scenes using
the new vocabulary.
» Have them use several words in their
scenes.
Example
» John flew into a rage when he saw
Wally serenade AnneMarie. John
seized Wally’s guitar and broke it.
Wally walked away weeping.
Scene Presentations
» Give students time to practice.
» Perform the scenes.
Focus on Multiple Word
Meanings
» Compare and contrast uses of the
words between groups.
» Call attention to differing contexts.
» Any similarities?
Encouragement!!!
» Praise your students for using the words!!!
» Encourage them to use them in their speaking
and writing!!!
» Reward students for creative word choice!!!
Technology and Extensions
» Extend the activity through use of
Comic Life and Photo Booth
» iMovie with a Storyboard
 Children draw out quick scene or story
» Photo Booth