Picture Guess (20 minutes)

This requires a little homework for the teacher. Using either Powerpoint or Keynote, make a
wordless presentation of pictures that represent the vocabulary words. For each word, find
pictures from the internet that could define that word through images. For example, if the
vocabulary word is spread, a picture of a knife spreading peanut butter on bread may be
appropriate. Compile the pictures into a presentation without captions and in random order. In
class, students will be in teams of two people each. Groups will write down on a whiteboard
which vocabulary word they think the picture represents. Points should be awarded to teams with
correct answers.
Four Corners (30 minutes)
Students will be assigned one vocabulary word each in random order. The students will then
take a piece of paper and fold it into 4 equal sections. In the first section the students will write
their vocabulary word. In the second section they will write the definition. In the third section
the students will write an original sentence using the vocabulary word. In the fourth section the
students will draw a picture representing their word. Once every person has completed their
sections, students may get up and show either their picture or definition to other students. If the
viewing student is able to guess the vocab word correctly on the first try, they may sign the
artists paper, if not, they move on with no signature. Students will have done a nice job on their
Four Corner Boxes in an attempt to get the most signatures.

Vocabulary Newsroom (60 minutes)

Give students time to come up with a creative and crazy news story using all of the vocabulary
words from the list. One by one, each student will come and give their news piece as if in a real
news studio. The teacher can get as creative as they wish with this. This is a great time to video
record the students speaking and play back to them so that they may see themselves speaking.
Homework for the teacher: Take the video clips from class and make a quick iMovie to show the
students the next day in class.
Speed Reading (25 minutes)
Have students choose three sentences from the reading and write them on a strip of paper. One
by one students will come to the front of the class and they will be given 3 opportunities to read:
first for 15 seconds, then 10 seconds, then 5 seconds. This is a very fun activity that will have the
whole class laughing and out of breath. You may give a small reward for those students who
finish in 5 seconds. This activity is to promote fluency.

Spoons (30 minutes)

This is a take on the card game Spoons. Students will take pieces of paper about the size of a
playing card and write a vocabulary word on one piece and the definition on another. They will
do this for the whole list of vocabulary words. Each group should have about four people, and
each group will need a set of words and definitions. The students will sit in a circle with three
markers (or similar items to grab) in the middle. Each student will be given two cards. The first
student will draw a card from the deck, examine it and decide to keep it or pass it on. If they
keep the card, they must pass on one of their original cards. The next student will examine the
card they receive and continue the pattern. Students will keep passing cards until one player gets
a matching word and definition. That player will grab a marker from the middle. Each of the
remaining players will try to grab a remaining marker. The person left with no marker gets a
letter S-P-O-O-N. The first person to spell the word spoon is out. The winner will announce
their word and matching definition for the group to hear.
Pictionary (30 minutes)
Students will each be assigned a random vocabulary board. They will take turns coming up to
the front of the classroom to draw a picture depicting their vocabulary word. Once they are
finished drawing, they will call on fellow students to guess which vocabulary word is theirs.
Students who guess correctly will be awarded points.
Matchstick (30 minutes)
This is a fun matching vocabulary game. Students will take pieces of paper about the size of a
playing card and write a vocabulary word on one piece and the definition on another. They will
do this for the whole list of vocabulary words. Once you have a complete set, the teacher should
shuffle the cards. Students should be placed into two teams. The first teams will sit in a circle
on the ground and the teacher will drop the cards in the middle of the circle. The students will
work together to match the vocabulary words with their correct definitions. Once they have
finished (teacher should check their matches as they work), the second team may go. The team
with the fastest time wins. This can be played several times with different teams each time (boys
vs girls, middle schools vs high school, etc). They love the competition.
This can also be played as an individual free-for-all. Everybody sits in the circle and tries to get
the most pairs. Students may only be allowed to hold 2 cards at a time in this version, or some
students will hoard all of the cards.

Tornado Memory (30 minutes)

This is a class favorite, but it takes some preparation by the teacher. On the board place pieces of
paper in a checkerboard pattern using two different colors. One color will be for vocabulary
words, and one for definitions. Underneath the papers in random order, write the words and
definitions. Students will be placed into teams. The teams will take turns with 30 seconds to try
and find a matching vocabulary word and definition. Rotate through each student. The students
get really into trying to help their teammates. Also hidden in there can be a picture of a tornado
and a sunshine. If they flip over the tornado, all of their points go to the other team. If they flip
over the sunshine, they steal all of the other teams points.
Story Sentences (30 minutes)
This activity can be done with partners or individually. Pieces of paper will be taped up around
the classroom. At the top of the paper is a list of the vocabulary words. The students will go up
to one piece of paper with their partner. They will be given 2-3 minutes to write a sentence using
a vocabulary word, but also starting an interesting story. After the time is up, they will cross of
the vocabulary word that they used, and rotate to the next paper where they will read the existing
sentence and add another sentence with a vocabulary word, adding to the plot. As the story gets
longer, students may need a little more time. Afterwards it is fun to have the stories read aloud.
They get pretty crazy.
Up the Ladder Vocabulary Game (25 minutes)
Before class, prepare sets of index cards that have a blank side and a side with the definitions of
each vocabulary word. Make 4 sets or enough for each group. Divide the students into small
groups depending on class size. There should be 4-5 small groups. In a large area with room to
move, place each set of cards in front of each group, blank side up and in a vertical row like a
ladder. Dont let them begin or look at the cards before each group is ready. A whistle will mark
the start of the game. The first team to write down each correct vocabulary word on the matching
flashcard wins. If a team has an incorrect word, only say the number of words they have written
incorrectly. Points or awards can be rewarded to the winning team.
Pick a Card Game (20 minutes)
Place a set of the flashcards up on the whiteboard ledge so that students can easily choose one.
One by one, each student will come to the board and pick a card of their choosing. In front of the
class, the student should on-the-spot create a sentence and share it with the class by speaking.
Once a card has been used it should be taken away. For extra help, the definition can be supplied
on the back on the card. If there are fewer vocabulary words than there are students, the teacher
can make multiples so that each student will have a card to pull.

Sentence Races (30 minutes)

Students will be placed into teams and then organized into lines. The student at the front of the
line will have a list of teacher created sentences containing vocabulary words, and the student at
the end will have a pen and piece of paper. The first student will whisper the first sentence into
the next students ear, and so-on moving through the line. When the sentence gets to the last
student he or she will write what they hear on the paper. The winning team will have finished
first and have the correct sentences written down.
Definition Races (30 minutes)
The teacher or students will need to make a set of cards containing the definitions. Two more
sets with the vocabulary words will be needed. The definitions will be taped up in the middle of
the room and the vocabulary words will be posted at opposite ends of the room. Students will be
placed into teams. One representative will be sent up from each team. They will take turns
picking a card. The teacher will flip it over and read it. The students will race from the teacher
to their word bank, grab the correct word, and bring it back. The first person to bring the correct
word back to the teacher will receive a point. Teams really enjoy helping each other out.
A Good Word For... (40 minutes)
This is a game to promote the use of synonyms. Teachers may choose to teach the word synonym
or not. To help students retain the new vocabulary words, give them about 20 minutes to write
down on paper a good word for each vocabulary word on the list. Students should work alone
and keep their answers a secret. Then to make it more fun, the teacher calls each student to the
board one-at-a-time and whispers to them a vocabulary word from the list. The student will write
down the synonym they chose for that word. The audience will guess what vocabulary word is
matched with the students synonym. The right guesser will now have a turn. Encourage the
audience to begin their guess with, a good word for _____________ is _____________.
Team Sentence Race (30 minutes)
Organize students into pairs. Each pair should have a few strips of paper. The teacher will call
out a vocabulary word and the pair will work together to create a sentence for that word. The first
pair to quickly come up and hand in their correct sentence is the winner for that word. Each pair
should keep track of how many words they win to determine a winning team.
Vocabulary Charades (20 minutes)
Just like the traditional game of charades, students will each have a chance to physically describe
a vocabulary word chosen for them by the teacher. This can be either a whole-class activity, or
you can split the class up into two groups depending on class size.
Spelling Bee (20 minutes)
In a traditional spelling bee format, teachers will conduct a contest-style game where students
must spell the given vocabulary word correctly. They may ask for definition and use of the word
to clarify its meaning. By process of elimination, one winner from the class is chosen.
New Words Hot Seat (20 minutes)
The teacher will call each student one-by-one to the hot seat in front of class. The teacher will
ask the student 3 questions, which allows each student to win up to 3 points- 1) Write the word

on the board to spelling 2) Give a brief definition of the word 3) Use the word in a sentence.
Each student will be given one word in which they have to answer all 3 of these questions and if
they do so, they will earn 3 points. If they only answer 2 questions, they will only earn 2 points,
and so on. The teacher keeps track of the points. You may repeat words if there are more students
than there are vocabulary words. An award system can be set up for this activity.
Reading Timelines (25 minutes)
The teacher should prepare a list of important facts and information from the reading. The
teacher will jumble up the order in which those facts are found and write them on the board. The
teacher may also print out strips of papers with the information if possible. Each student will
then create a timeline on paper putting in order the facts. This can be made more difficult by
prohibiting use of the book for help.
Review Game: Whiteboard races (45 minutes)
This will require a little homework for the teacher. The teacher should create a PPT with
practice test questions (vocabulary and comprehension). In class, the students will put into teams
and each student will be given a whiteboard. The teacher will display the first question. The
teams will work together to find the answer(s). The first team to have all of the members holding
their boards up with the correct answer(s) wins a point. The teacher will go through the entire
PPT.
Review Game: Bluff (45 minutes)
This will require a little homework for the teacher. The teacher should create a PPT with
practice test questions (vocabulary and comprehension). In class, the students will be put into
teams and each student will be given a small piece of paper with a number (1- 6, or however
many team members there are). One team will be chosen to answer first. The teacher will
display the question, and the teams will have 30 seconds to 2 minutes to try and figure out the
answer. My only rule is that there is NO talking (they find other ways to communicate with
teammates). After their allotted time, students should stand if they think they know the answer,
or they can lie and stand up. If they do not know the answer, they should stay seated. The
opposing team will pick a number. The student with that number remains standing, (or a
different number is chosen if that student is sitting) while the others sit down. The standing
student must provide the answer. If they are correct, their team gets the same number of points
of people who were standing. So if 4 people were standing, they get four points. If the students
answer is incorrect, they lose half the points. So their team would lose 2 points. The second
question will go to the next team. Students should switch numbers after every round.

Review Game: Connect Four (45 minutes)

This will require a little homework for the teacher. The teacher should create a PPT with
practice test questions (vocabulary and comprehension). In class, the students will be put into

teams. The first team will be shown a question. If students get the right answer, their team gets
to drop an X or O on the Connect Four Board. If they answer incorrectly, they do not get to
drop a letter. The first team to connect 4 letters wins (letters many not float, they must go all the
way to the bottom of the board).
Review Game: Jeopardy (45 minutes)
This will require a little homework for the teacher. The teacher should create a Jeopardy Board
with practice test questions (vocabulary and comprehension). Questions should have different
values based on difficulty. In class, the students will be put into teams. The first team will
choose a question. If they get it right they receive the points, and they may choose again. If they
get it wrong, the choice goes to the other team.