Description of Online Resources for Vocabulary Instruction
Free Audio Editor and Recorder. Students can create
an MP3 of vocabulary words, definitions, and
examples to listen to later (this can also be done on
many cell phones). Or students could work together
to record a skit or a simply discussion of how to use
the new words.
This site has multiple activities. Students can create a
picture cube of words, jigsaw puzzles, motivational
posters using pictures and vocabulary, vocabulary
trading cards, billboards, and a photo game, to name
just a few.
This blogging website can digitally connect your whole
class. Have a discussion using vocabulary words both
in class and from home. We recommend setting your
preferences to approve posts before they can be
posted.
Students can mind map vocabulary words (similar to
what Lexipedia and Visuwords does for them) as well
as show the relationship between vocabulary words
and content areas.
Students are able to create animations using
photography on the website, or their own, to
demonstrate the meaning of vocabulary.
Multiple review games are available to play as a group
or small group. Games include Jeopardy, Wheel of
Fortune, and Racing Games. Some do not even need
any preparation!
This website provides online diagramming and
flowchart software. This software is fairly advanced,
so it’s recommended for seventh grade and above, or
enrichment for gifted and advanced students.
This site provides an easy way for teachers to build
programmed Jeopardy games. You can also search
other teachers’ games that have already been created.
Or, have students create their own games for their
peers to play!
This amazing site not only has the definitions for
words, but identifies parts of speech, and colorfully
graphs the relationship to other words (synonyms,
antonyms, and “fuzzynyms” ). What’s a fuzzynym?
Check out the site! This is a great site for teachers to
use when first introducing a new word and can be
used as an example for students to chart relationships.
Students can make their own comic strips and pocket
doodles using vocabulary. Students can create comics
in English, Spanish, and Portugese as well as other
languages.
Merriam-Webster’s free online dictionary. Alternate
between this and a hard-copy dictionary to maximize
students’ skill in finding definitions.
This free download provides a great way for students
to associate pictures with vocabulary. This software
allows students to add special effects, soundtracks,
voice-overs, captions and titles to express meaning.
Also a great way for teachers to introduce vocabulary
to students!
This site provides the blackline master for creating
PocketMods. Once made, students can either create
their own little dictionary of vocabulary words needed
for the week as well as add sketches to help increase
understanding.
Create activities, quizzes, and surveys (nice formative
assessment tool for vocabulary) online. There are also
pre-made activities from other educators who use
Quia.
This site allows teachers and students to create
flashcards with or without images. Students can use
their own pictures or search for images and insert
them into flashcards. GREAT for ELLs!
Students can create interactive stories and games. A
small group of students can create one for one
vocabulary word and then watch each other’s as a
class to improve understanding of meanings.
Create multiple activities such as Memory, matching
activities, and more. While you do need SmartBoard
software installed on your computer (email
service@d62.org), you don’t need a whiteboard to
enjoy the games! Control everything on your
computer rather than the whiteboard.
Similar to Lexipedia identifying parts of speech as well
as the relationship to other words.
Create awesome collages of words or a “word cloud.”
This is another great way to show word relationships.
Students can create a Wordle showing a word with its
synonyms or it’s a beautiful way to show word sorts.
Content area teachers could also have students
identify words to describe a period of time or concept.