VOCABULARY PRACTICE IDEAS
The Classics
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Sentence Completions / Sentence Fill-ins
Matching Word with Definition
Matching Synonyms / Antonyms
Multiple Choice
Analogies
Write with Vocabulary Words (sentence with one vocabulary word, sentence
with multiple vocabulary words, paragraph, dialogue, story)
Label the Picture / Diagram (with the following words…)
Crossword Puzzle
Some
Ideas
Scenarios
Description: Give the word and provide two different scenarios that could represent
the word. The student needs to choose the appropriate scenario and write a
detailed explanation about why the scenario is the best representation of the word.
Examples:
1. Impish
A. My little brother hit me because he was angry.
B. My little brother would not stop repeating everything I said.
Explanation:
My little brother was impish in Scenario B because he was acting
childish.
2. Blurt
A. I stated the answer without raising my hand.
B. I waited for the teacher to call on me before I answered.
Explanation:
I blurted the answer in Scenario A because I spoke impulsively.
Sentence Stems
Description: Start a sentence that contains a vocabulary word. Students need to
finish the word, making sure they demonstrate the meaning of the word in the
sentence.
Examples:
1. While Augustus Gloop gobbled down his food, he
While Augustus Gloop gobbled down his food, he looked and sounded like a pig
eating from a trough. Oink!
2. The peculiar old man
The peculiar old man wore a purple scarf, yellow gloves, and a puffy green
jacket every day, even in the summertime!
Q & A (Matching… With a Twist)
Description: Pose a question and ask students to answer the question using one of
their vocabulary words.
Examples:
1. How do you feel when you are absolutely sure that you want to cut your hair?
a. I feel certain that I want to cut my hair because I am absolutely sure.
2. If your art teacher painted the most beautiful picture you ever saw, how
might you describe the picture?
a. I would describe Melissa's picture as extraordinary because it was the
most beautiful picture I ever saw.
3-2-1
Description: Provide a sentence stem containing a vocabulary word and three
possible ways to complete it. Students need to choose the two ways that complete
each sentence and the one that does not belong. Ask students to explain their
thinking.
Examples:
1. Stargirl longed for…
a. acceptance from her peers.
b. some ketchup for her French fries.
c. a successful future as a songwriter.
2. The UHCS student pondered…
a. his future.
b. the meaning of life.
c. that he didn’t know what to do next.
True or False
Description: Provide a statement that contains a vocabulary word. Students need to
decide whether the statement is true or false and explain why, revealing the
meaning of the word in their response.
Examples:
1. An assassinated president can visit other countries. TRUE FALSE
a. How do you know?
b. I know that an assassinated president cannot visit other countries
because he/she has been killed.
2. The soccer players appreciate winning the game. TRUE FALSE
a. How do you know?
b. I know that soccer players would be thankful to win a game.
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Would You Rather?
Description: Provide two choices that contain vocabulary words. Students need
to choose one option and explain why they chose that option, revealing the
meaning of the word(s) in their response.
Examples:
1. Would you rather compromise on a value or be true to a companion?
a. I would rather be true to a companion because I am being respectful to
myself and my friend.
2. Would you rather devour frog legs or nibble someone else’s smelly toes?
a. I would rather devour frog legs because smelly toes are not food and
would not taste very good.
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Password or “RIVET”
Description: Give situations, examples, or vague definitions of a vocabulary
word, one at a time, until a student correctly identifies the word. Optional:
Provide a line for each letter of the word and occasionally provide letters of the
word as a clue (like Hangman). Older students may enjoy playing this game like
the gameshow Password, divide into two teams, and provide single-word clues
to the vocabulary word.
Example:
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_ _ _ _ _ Word: NUDGE. Clues: I do this to my friend when I want her
attention, and she’s not looking at me… I use my elbow to do this…
(Show a “nudge”)… This means to push someone’s elbow gently.
Connect Two
Description: Create two columns of words, approximately 8-10 words in each
list. Students need to find similarities between two words—one from column
one and one from column two. It is important to model for students how they
should transcend superficial connections. Students then need to write a detailed
explanation and/or example for each connection, revealing the meaning of the
vocabulary word(s) in their sentences.
Example:
Column One
bayonet
disgrace
muffled
exposed
insignificant
splendid
roll
magazine
ravine
Column Two
musket
exuberant
cunning
pondered
ruefully
courier
hoarse
incense
restrained
I connected splendid and exuberant because when something splendid, or
wonderful, happens, you feel exuberant. For example, when I made Honor Roll,
I felt overjoyed.
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Belongings
Description: List three to five words (some may not necessarily be vocabulary
words) and ask students to cross out the word that does not belong in the list.
Students then need to write a detailed explanation, which needs to reveal the
definitions or connotations of the (underlined) vocabulary words.
Examples:
1. excellent / extraordinary / awful / wonderful
a. Awful does not belong because excellent, extraordinary, and
wonderful all mean very good. Awful means horrible.
2. segregation / tolerance / bias / discrimination / racism
a. Tolerance does not belong in the list because it is not negative. All
the other words are negative ways that people are excluded or
hated.
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Picture Pairs
Description: Provide two (or more) pictures. Ask students to choose the picture
that best represents a vocabulary word. Students then need to write a detailed
explanation of their choice, revealing the meaning of the vocabulary word in
their sentences.
Examples:
1. Which picture best represents grimace?
A
B
Picture A best represents grimace because it is an evil smile. The man in Picture B
looks pleasant.
2. Which picture best represents a civilization?
Picture A
Picture B
Picture B best represents civilization because there are examples of architecture.