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18 Valuable Vocabulary Activities for Kids

vocabulary activities for kids

December 21, 2021 //  by Kellie Tanner

Vocabulary is the foundation for language development. Vocabulary expansion plays a critical role in reading comprehension, and it is also essential to the improvement of communication skills. Expanding a child's vocabulary impacts his overall writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills which allows him to understand and connect with the world. These assignments for students will provide you with activities to help students at various grade levels achieve essential vocabulary standards.

1. Vocabulary Wheels

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Students will love this engaging vocabulary activity. They can work individually or in pairs or groups to create one or two wheels to connect the vocabulary words with their definitions. Teachers can adapt this accurate matching activity for any age group to teach effective vocabulary in their classrooms. Learn about this fun activity as well as two others here.

Learn more: galariousgoods.com

2. Comic Strip Vocabulary 

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This fun vocabulary activity involves using a controlled vocabulary list to have students write the closest matching definition in their own words, draw a picture of the meaning, and use the word correctly in a sentence. The goal of this engaging activity is for students to correctly use vocabulary words in conversations.

Learn more: thisreadingmama.com

3. Roll A Word 

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This vocabulary activity is anything but boring! The Roll a Word vocabulary sheet can be used with any vocabulary words and any age level. Students will enjoy rolling a die. The vocabulary activity depends on the number the student rolls. Learn the directions for this great game here.

Learn more: southernfriedteachin.com

4. Ice Cream Scoops

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This creative activity focuses on multiple word meanings. This activity is an efficient method for helping students understand that some words have different meanings based on how they are used in spoken or written language.  Once students understand this, they will have an increase in vocabulary retention and expansion.

Learn more: blog.maketaketeach.com

5. Word Graffiti 

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This is a wonderful activity to use with your students before they read an assignment. It is definitely not a difficult task. The teacher can use a customized list of words for focus and write them on dry erase boards or large paper. The students can work individually or in groups to complete this fun and engaging activity.

Learn more: funinfourth.ca

6. Fancy Nancy 

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This chart is an astounding way to teach students to use context clues. The teacher is the facilitator and should model how the vocabulary word is used in the context of the story that is being read in class. The teacher will also provide examples of how the students could apply the vocabulary word in their daily lives. Learn more about the Fancy Nancy activity here.

Learn more: missdecarbo.com

7. Vocabulary Basketball 

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Do you need a fun way to keep your students interested in learning vocabulary? Then, vocabulary basketball is the perfect game for your classroom. Use this fun-filled basketball activity to review a vocabulary lesson while you observe student progress.

Learn more: 4theloveofteaching.org

8. Word Grid Challenge

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Students will enjoy this creative vocabulary assignment that can be used with any subject. Teachers love using this activity in their classrooms because it is easy to create, and it keeps students engaged and on task. Learn how to make your own word grids for your classroom here.

Learn more: literaturedaydreams.com

9. Swat the Vocab

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Are you searching for a way to motivate your students about vocabulary review? The, Swat the Vocab is the perfect game to use in your classroom. Students will enjoy working in teams to compete against one another as they learn vocabulary words. Find out more about this game here.

Learn more: foreverinfifthgrade.blogspot.com

10. Vocabulary Categories

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This efficient matching vocabulary game can be used with most grade levels and with any subject area. It is a terrific activity that encourages students to use their critical thinking skills while learning the definitions of various words. Read more about how to incorporate your own Vocabulary Categories game into your daily lessons.

Learn more: classroomfreebies.com

11. Magnetic Poetry

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Promoting efficient learning with this inexpensive magnet word set is a terrific way to address many students' needs. Students can create sentences or short stories while they practice syntax, articulation sounds, and vocabulary. Learn more about this activity here.

Learn more: Magnetic Poetry for Kids

12. The Zoo - Core Vocabulary Song

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Students love music! Your younger students will enjoy participating in song vocabulary with The Zoo Song. This video contains a language and speech song that has an emphasis on core vocabulary.

Learn more: pinterest.com

13. Academic Vocabulary

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Academic vocabulary is critical to student learning. Use these words and strategies to see systematic vocabulary improvement in your students' skills. This is a terrific way to improve structured response questions on assessments.

Learn more: musingsfromthemiddleschool.org

14. Sequencing With Balloons

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Lots of kids love popping balloons! This activity includes adding small strips of paper that include events from a familiar story. Students will learn about sequential context and sequential rearrangements from this activity. Find out more about this fun activity here.

Learn more: cassiedahl.com

15. Multi-Syllable Words

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This hands-on activity allows struggling students to effectively move from decoding individual syllables to multi-syllable/consecutive syllable words. This will assist students in improving their reading fluency and overall vocabulary.

Learn more: iheartteachingelementary.com

16. 3 Ways to Stress a Syllable

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This is a terrific syllable phonology resource for teachers to help their students understand when to stress a syllable. This video includes the long vowel, clear vowel, and pitch per syllable.

Learn more: pinterest.com

17. Free Vocabulary Activities

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If you are searching for fun and entertaining vocabulary activities, your students will enjoy Hot Potato Vocab, Magic Hat Vocabulary, and Swat the Vocab Word. These activities will make the learning of vocabulary words an exciting part of the school day.

Learn more: inspiredowlscorner.com

18. Vocabulary Activities for Any Word

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These engaging and interesting vocabulary activities can be used with any vocabulary words you choose. These activities will help your students learn more about their vocabulary words and internalize their definitions. You can learn more about these fun activities here.

Learn more: babblingabby.net

Concluding Thoughts

Vocabulary is an essential and necessary component to a student's overall academic success. Enhanced vocabulary instruction is important to master all subject areas. Incorporating effective vocabulary instruction into your daily lessons can be difficult. Therefore, it is crucial that you make the instruction extremely interesting and engaging for your students. The activities suggested above should provide you with a great variety of lessons as you plan interesting and engaging vocabulary instruction in your daily classes.

 

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