Vocabulary and Review

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Teaching Vocabulary

From Kristi Van Hoveln, a science teacher at Milford Community Consolidated Schools in Milford, Illinois:

"I introduce vocabulary to my students at the beginning of the chapter, and we spend 1-2 days on it. I try to have only 8-10 words for each chapter or unit that we are studying. I have made PowerPoint slideshows that have the vocabulary words in them. The first slide shows the word with the definition; the second slide displays the word as a picture; the third slide provides an example of the word used in a sentence, so the students can understand the definition; the fourth slide shows the word with an action associated with it; and, a fifth slide poses a question about the word. The students must summarize the word and use the action. By the time we are done with the PowerPoint, most students can say all of the vocabulary words and the definitions by using the actions. Only after we have gone through the PowerPoint, may the students pick up a pencil and write their vocabulary words into their science notebooks. I follow up throughout the chapter by using flashcards with the vocabulary words and main ideas from the chapter to review in those last minutes of class."
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2. Student Led Review

From an anonymous reader:

"I just learned this technique in a workshop, and it was fun! Kids take a sheet of paper, fold it in half the long way and then in half twice the other way, giving them eight sections. On one side, they write their names. On the other side, they write eight questions. On the side with their names, they write the answers. After a set amount of time (works better than waiting until everyone is done), the kids get up and ask a fellow student a question. If the question is answered correctly, the responder writes her/his name on the question. Then students reverse roles. The first person to have all questions answered wins a prize. Of course, all the winner's questions are asked of the class. The fun for the teacher is that the kids review on their own. It's enjoyable to hear how many questions the kids ask that are on the test. Of course, a teacher who plays could ask the tough test questions. Then everyone wins. We did this on the high school level, where it worked with all subjects."
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3. Question of the Week: Packing Up the Classroom

From the Works4Me Worker Bees:

"As the school year is winding down, what are your helpful ideas to expedite closing down your classroom? What steps can teachers take so they can actually be dismissed on the last day of school instead of coming back on their own time?"
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4. Heard on the Message Board: Spelling Help

"I have a few very good 3rd grade readers with very poor spelling. I'm looking for a free program to help them improve their spelling."
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