Vocabulary Practice Activities
Vocabulary Taboo
This vocabulary activity is adapted from the original board game Taboo. This game can be played with two or more players that make up two different teams. To begin the game, you and your child will need to create clue cards. The clue cards should be set up like the card on the left. The word that is being described is written at the top (Kangaroo), with 5 clue words commonly used to describe this word written underneath (pouch, hop, animal, Australia, captain). To practice subtraction vocabulary, choose terms such as the ones listed on the Subtraction Words page on this website. Once the clue cards are created and teams are established, each player will take a turn picking a clue card and describing that word to their team members. Here is the tricky part: NONE of the words on the cards can be used to describe the word at the top! If the player is able to get his/her team to guess the word that he/she is describing in 60 seconds or less, that person's team gets a point. The first team to reach 5 points wins!
Materials Needed for This Activity: Markers, Paper, Timer
Materials Needed for This Activity: Markers, Paper, Timer
PA Standards Alignment:
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
1.5.2.A: Write with a focus, with an understanding of topic and audience
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
1.5.2.A: Write with a focus, with an understanding of topic and audience
Side-Walk Chalk Vocabulary Toss
This activity is perfect for a beautiful day! When your child does not want to practice vocabulary because all they want to do is be outside, Side-Walk Chalk Vocabulary Toss is a perfect compromise. To begin this activity, start by selecting the vocabulary words you want to practice. Consider the terms included on this website's Subtraction Words page. Next, create a grid on a sidewalk/black top surface. Each word will go in one of the grid squares that you created. Once the grid is drawn and the words are written in, draw a line 2 feet under your grid. This line will be the tossing line; players must stand behind the line when tossing the bean bags. Players will take turns tossing bean bags onto the grid. Whichever vocabulary term is in the square that the bean bag lands in, must be defined and described by the player who tossed it. No score is kept in this game!
Materials Needed for This Activity: Side-walk Chalk, Bean Bags
Materials Needed for This Activity: Side-walk Chalk, Bean Bags
PA Standards Alignment:
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
"I Have, Who Has"
This activity is a great vocabulary practice because it involves matching the words to definitions AND creating the definitions for the words. To begin this activity, identify what vocabulary terms you and your child want to review. Write these words on a piece of paper to act as the "word bank" throughout this activity. Consider the terms included on this website's Subtraction Words page. Next, divide the words between you and your child (and anyone else who wants to play!). Set up 3X5 index cards like the one pictured on the left. Write a definition under the "Who has" section of the card for each of the words you were given. The "I have" section will stay blank until game play begins. Once all of the cards are filled out with definitions, players take turns reading their definitions and responding "I have ________!" when another player reads a definition for a word that they are assigned. The game is over when all definitions have been read and terms have been identified.
Materials Needed for this Activity: 3X5 Index Cards, Pencils/Pens
PA Standards Alignment:
Materials Needed for this Activity: 3X5 Index Cards, Pencils/Pens
PA Standards Alignment:
PA Standards Alignment:
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
1.5.2.A: Write with a focus, with an understanding of topic and audience
1.6.2.A: Listen actively and respond to others in small and large group situations
2.5.2.B: Use appropriate mathematical vocabulary when explaining
1.5.2.A: Write with a focus, with an understanding of topic and audience
References: The activities "I Have, Who Has" and "Side-Walk Chalk Vocabulary Toss" were adapted & retrieved on November 12th, 2012 from www.graniteschools.org.