A Vocabulary Activity to Make Them Think

     A new week means new vocabulary words from our basal reader.  How can we practice them in a way that makes students really THINK about the meanings and REMEMBER them?  Worksheets are ok for some things, but learning and practicing vocabulary words aren't on that list.  I like to have my students get creative with their words... using them in sentences, poems, and songs, giving examples, synonyms, antonyms, and non-examples, and creating illustrations with them.
     My munchkins are always up for a challenge, but when I introduced a new vocabulary activity a few weeks ago, they were a little skeptical.  I could see the wheels turning and the voices in their heads were screaming, "What, is she NUTS?"
     You see, this activity involved taking all eight of their weekly vocabulary words and using them in one picture.  Yup, you read that right... ONE PICTURE.  And it couldn't be just any jumbling of random items thrown together to include all of their words.  No, their picture had to have a CENTRAL THEME.  The words had to relate to each other and their picture had to show that relationship.  AND they had to write a sentence or two to explain it.
     It took them a while to really think and talk to each other and throw some ideas around before the ball started rolling, but once they started working, my munchkins were on fire!  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the finished products (I hadn't started blogging then, and didn't realize how important my camera would become).  I did post the activity on teacherspayteachers.com and you can find it here.

I also posted my Vocabulary Boxes for free!

     You can also find several other vocabulary activities I recently posted, and you can get them individually or in my Vocabulary Activities Bundle, which has 5 activities you can do with virtually any group of vocabulary words, from any subject.  Let me know how well they work (or don't work!)!

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Ms. Miller, who are you?

     Ah, the great philosophical question... Who am I?  Well, I'm still trying to figure that one out, and I'll let you know when I do (but don't hold your breath that it will be any time soon).  I do know that I've been very blessed with a wonderful family, the best co-workers (and friends) a girl could ask for, and the best canine buddy I could want.

     I joke sometimes that I'm an old lady in a 30-something's body.  I love to crochet and garden, and one of my favorite things to do is curl up on the couch with an afghan, my dog, a cup of hot tea, and a great book.  I also love turtles, and have a growing collection in my classroom.  Let me tell you, once your students learn that you like something, they will bring you "presents" as often as they can.

     I love teaching in general and I love the children I work with, but I also get so much joy from sharing ideas and collaborating with my fellow educators, both at school and online.  I hope that this blog will allow me to share my thoughts and ideas and broaden my teaching horizons by reading your links and comments.

     I have a Teachers Pay Teachers store (http://www.teacherspayteachers.com), and I urge you to follow it.  As of now, there are only a few items available, but my big plan is to work on stocking it this summer.  I love creating lessons and activities that allow students to think creatively and show what they know without a lot of fuss. 

     I hope you enjoy reading my blog and getting to know me.  Please give me feedback, ask questions, and leave comments so I can get to know you, too! Pin It Now!