Vocabulary can be taught using a variety of games and lessons.
Improving the vocabulary of your students may not always be easy, but if you introduce the topic in a variety of ways, you can appeal to your students' different types of interests and learning styles. Games are great for adding interest and making learning fun, but be sure to begin each new vocabulary unit with a lesson plan that includes specific tasks and objectives.
Alphabet Word Games
Play a game in which you take turns saying a word that starts with a certain letter in the alphabet. You have to work through the alphabet in order, from A to Z. Choose simple words for younger children, ones that they can recognize and spell quickly, and work your way through longer and less obvious words for older children. Giving the children 26 words to learn is a long list, so be sure to repeat the game several days in a row in order for them to learn the new words.
Vocabulary Bingo
Create a bingo game with the words from your vocabulary list. Students can write the words in each square on a blank bingo card, and you can call out the words. The students will be repeatedly looking at the words from their list, which will help them memorize them. Instead of giving them a blank or bonus square in the middle of the bingo card, read out a more difficult bonus word. In order to win, the students have to spell that word correctly in the center square.
Multifaceted Lesson Plan
Include a variety of activities in your lesson plan so that the students have a better chance of internalizing the lesson. Start by creating a goal, which in this case would be for the students to learn the meaning and spelling of a list of words. Then present the words to your students and ask questions to see what they already know. Include activities to help the students learn the words, such as word searches and crossword puzzles, so they have to think about the words and write them down repeatedly. Add activities related to the words. This is simpler if the words are all part of a specific topic the students are studying in another unit, such as biology words for a nature hike, or sports words for physical education. Re-test the students at the end of the lesson plan to evaluate their success and determine what needs more work.
Most Often Misspelled Words Lesson Plan
A lesson plan that teaches children the most often misspelled and misused words will be useful for them for years to come. Introduce the words, explaining the spellings and/or meanings so they can remember. "Their" is simply the word "the" with an "ir" on the end, and in "separate," the a's separate the e's. Follow up the lesson with quizzes and exercises over a few days to reinforce what they have learned, such as creating a sentence with the correct use of their, they're and there. End the lesson plan with a quiz to see what the students have learned, and what needs more follow-up.
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