Dice Practice

This is a great activity to use when introducing new words.  This can be done orally, or have students do it on paper.  You can have them do it alone, in partners or groups, or as a class.  Doing this orally as a class for review is a great sponge.  Just pick one person to roll the dice.  Call a student or group to answer it for a word.  Then repeat until you are out of time.  Give each group a number cube and put a list on the board of what each number represents.  Some options are: 1 = tell what it means, 2 = use it in a sentence, 3 = give a synonym, 4 = give an antonym, 5 = draw it, 6 = act it out. You could make one of the numbers free choice.  Also put the list of vocab words up or give each group a stack of index cards with a word on each card.  The first person in the group rolls a die, takes the top word card or the top word on the list, and acts accordingly.  When the group is satisfied the challenge has been met, it moves to the next person. They roll the dice and take the next card or the next word on the list, etc…

Memory-Style Games

This is a great way to practice words that have been recently learned.  This type of game also makes great centers or an option of something students can do when they finish work early.  It’s easy to create a game using index cards and vocabulary words.  Put the words each on a card, and their definitions each on a separate card. Students can play in pairs or small groups by turning over two cards to try to match the word to the definition.  If they get a match, they keep the pair and get a second turn.  If they don’t get a match, they turn the card back over, and it’s the next person’s turn.  You can make these to suit your needs or purchase games like this Earth Science game:

Or this chemistry vocab game:

 Say It with Your Body

 

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