Teaching Tips - Vocabulary Lesson Plans

More than just vocabulary lesson plans, the following ideas combine ideas on how to teach vocabulary and lesson plans for effective verbal communication. Before getting into the fun stuff, let's look at why learning vocabulary is so important.

• All standardized tests are reading tests with specialized vocabulary. In fact, the major reason we may not understand our automobile manual, our medical prescriptions, and our investment prospectus is we are not familiar with the jargon.
• Having a broad vocabulary increases confidence. Students who are able to communicate effectively are more likely to forge strong ties with their peers and adults alike.
• Vocabulary skills make reading, writing, and speaking so much better, because comprehension of text and conversation increases.

The foundation for improving vocabulary involves daily practice using activities such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Click on these lesson ideas to find ways of boosting vocabulary learning:

OWN THE WORD

The old school approach to vocabulary consisted of copying down new words, defining them, throwing them in your backpack, taking them out of your backpack 10 minutes before the quiz, studying the words, getting a 'D' on the quiz, forgetting the words, getting the quiz back, throwing the quiz in the garbage can never to be seen again. There's a better way. It's called actually having kids learn the word by employing verbal, visual, and auditory skills to take ownership of the word.

VOCABULARY POSTERS

You've tried the old school approach. Now it's time for a more focused approach. Forcing children to think outside the box provides opportunities for creativity and review. Be careful though; students might want to do extra practice.

KINESTHETIC VOCABULARY

Kinesthetic learners need entertainment. If you don't provide it, then they will find other means. These great activities help students learn while having fun and moving around.