Vocabulary

Many of my students are intimidated by “big words.” I found that if I focused on one word a day, and allowed students to experiment with words via low-stakes writing prompts, the intimidation disappeared.

The purpose of these activities is for students to play and experiment with language. One word a day is not the most “efficient” system for learning vocabulary. However, one word a day allows students to build momentum and confidence when it comes to acquiring vocabulary. 

Experimenting with language:

Every Word of the Day activity comes with a writing prompt. I encourage students to use this opportunity to experiment with words. If students have encountered a new word in history class, they can try inserting that word. If students have heard a new word in a movie, they can try writing that word. The goal is for students to build their “word consciousness,” and for students to experiment with words in their speech and writing.
“Word consciousness involves being aware and interested in word meanings” (Graves & Watts-Taffe, 2002). https://www.jstor.org/stable/20143930

Google Doc of Resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kHBQERJrkBTVbDPR9LD7RwlrLgfOSKbsxmAB6Oa5pxg/edit?tab=t.0

Word of the Day:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lbDsq_GYPd0fPaYp4y2aNVf00418zIAeA5nVc2B5LpM/edit?usp=sharing

Google drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aGHEQAxJxn2T-YCE7vLiuVNA8krw4rAD

Vocabulary Mini-Unit (Root: Ambi-): Ambidextrous, Ambivert, Ambivalent, Ambiguous

The following vocabulary mini-unit begins by introducing students to the root “ambi-,” and continues with four video lessons on words composed of that root: ambidextrous, ambivalent, ambivert, and ambiguous.

By the end of the unit, students should know the meaning of “ambi,” and be able to integrate their newly acquired vocabulary into their writing.

Each video lesson comes with a corresponding worksheet. There is also an initial worksheet focused on familiarizing students with their four vocabulary words. 

The final test/assessment includes fill-in-the-blank questions and writing prompts.

E-book:

Step 1: Introduction to Ambi-

Worksheet:

Step 2: Vocabulary Practice With Root “Ambi-“

Step 3: Ambidextrous

Worksheet:

Step 4: Ambiguous

Worksheet:

Step 5: Ambivalent

Worksheet

Step 6: Ambivert

Step 7: Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary Mini-Unit (Root: Mono): Monk, Monopoly, Monotheism, Monologue

Ebook

Activity #1This first video serves as an introduction to the root -mono. Just play the video and have students fill out the given worksheet.

Activity #2: Initial Assessment

Activity 3: Word of the Day (Monotheism)

Worksheet

Activity 4: Word of the Day (Monk)

Worksheet

Activity 5: Word of the Day (Monologue)

Worksheet

Activity #6: Word of the Day (Monopoly)

Worksheet

Final Test/Assessment:


Vocabulary Mini-Unit (Altruism, Altercation, Alternate, Alter Ego)

The following vocabulary mini-unit begins by introducing students to the prefix “alter-,” and continues with four video lessons on words composed of that root: altruism, altercation, alternate, alter ego).

By the end of the unit, students should know the meaning of “alter,” and be able to integrate their newly acquired vocabulary into their writing.

Each video lesson comes with a corresponding worksheet. There is also an initial worksheet focused on familiarizing students with their four vocabulary words. 

The final test/assessment includes fill-in-the-blank questions and writing prompts.

Ebook:

Google Doc of Activities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oeNyrNLkMOGHiTo4XxW-22vxcNxWeeHaDxpYBh0f964/edit?tab=t.0

Activity 1: Introduction to “alter-“

Worksheet

Activity 2: Initial Assessment

Activity 3: Word of the Day (Altruism)

Worksheet

Activity 4: Word of the Day (Altercation)

Worksheet

Activity 5: Word of the Day (Alternate)

Worksheet

Activity 5: Word of the Day (Alter Ego)

Worksheet

Final Test/Assessment

Vocabulary Mini-Unit (Psychology, Dermatology, Anthropology, Biology)

The following vocabulary mini-unit begins by introducing students to the suffix “-ology,” and continues with four video lessons on words composed of that root: psychology, dermatology, anthropology, biology).

By the end of the unit, students should know the meaning of “-ology” and be able to integrate their newly acquired vocabulary into their writing.

Each video lesson comes with a corresponding worksheet. There is also an initial worksheet focused on familiarizing students with their four vocabulary words. 

The final test/assessment includes fill-in-the-blank questions and writing prompts.

Activity 1: Intro to “-ology

Vocabulary Builder/Initial Assessment (-ology)

Word of the Day: Psychology

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Anthropology

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Dermatology

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Biology

Worksheet

Review Worksheet:

Vocabulary Test/Assessment

Mini-Unit #1 (Despondent, Accentuate, Unanimous, Bamboozle)

Ebook:

Google Doc of Activities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sNxsRf_JbujGSYM1XPZ8z2Xd6iHrz6E6tYpOcRyePkc/edit?usp=sharing

Google Folder of Activities:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1H_LhndD7dQ083xJ_dTuPXiPn3TUxLhes

Day 1: Introduction to accentuate, despondent, unanimous, and bamboozle

Day 2: Vocabulary Builder/Pre-Assessment

Flashcards

Word of the Day: Accentuate

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Unanimous

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Despondent

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Bamboozle

Worksheet

Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary Test

Mini-Unit #2: Extravagant, Anomaly, Brevity, Tenacious

Google Doc of Resources

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eY1jhDdZpUTNdO2VlG-gUq0mjQy97ot1b1aoaigcWZY/edit?usp=sharing

Activity 1: Vocabulary Builder

Activity #2: Pre-Assessment/Vocabulary Builder

Flashcards

Word of the Day: Tenacious

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Brevity

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Anomaly

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Extravagant

Worksheet

Vocabulary Review:

Vocabulary Test

Vocabulary Mini-Unit #3: Inept, Contentions, Devise, Introspection

Step 1: Vocabulary Builder/Introduction to New Vocabulary

Step 2: Vocabulary Practice Worksheet

Step 3: Word of the Day (Inept)

Worksheet

Step 4: Word of the Day (Contentious)

Worksheet

Step 5: Word of the Day (Devise)

Worksheet

Step 6: Word of the Day (Introspection)

Worksheet

Step 7: Test (Coming Soon)

Vocabulary Mini-Unit #4 (Academic Vocabulary): Analyze, Contrast, Elaborate, Summarize

Task #1: Vocabulary Builder/Introduction to New Words

Task 2: Vocabulary Builder Worksheet

Task 3: Word of the Day (Elaborate)

Worksheet:

Task 4: Word of the Day (Contrast)

Worksheet

Task 5: Word of the Day (Analyze)

Worksheet

Task 6: Word of the Day (Summarize)

Worksheet

Final Test/Assessment Coming Soon

More Vocabulary Activities Here:

Vocabulary Mini-Unit #5 (Enthusiastic, Nuisance, Formidable, Flourish)

Activity #1: Vocabulary Builder

Worksheet

Activity 2: Vocabulary-Builder Worksheet:

Activity 3: Word of the Day (Enthusiastic)

Worksheet

Activity 4: Word of the Day (Nuisance)

Worksheet

Activity 5: Word of the Day (Formidable)

Worksheet

Activity 6: Word of the Day (Flourish)

Worksheet

Final Test/Assessment:

Self-Directed Mini-Unit

All students should be able to use the dictionary.

Unfortunately, many of my students are intimidated by the dictionary. I want to fix this.

To be self-directed learners, student MUST be able to look up unknown words and understand their meanings.

The following activity requires students to teach themselves 4 words. Students must take notes and answer the questions from the video.

There is an additional worksheet for students to finish.

Task 1:

Task 2: Here is the worksheet I give students after the video.

Vocabulary Unit #1: Berate, Compassion, Diminish, Resilient, Gregarious, Introvert, Competent, Complacen

Google Doc of Activities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UjPI6NifG1ZMvFHtBNSLcYzBwj-WMzTdmh43lnUazKg/edit?usp=sharing

Ebook:

Word of the Day: Berate

Worksheet:

Word of the Day: Compassion

Worksheet:

Word of the Day: Diminish

Worksheet:

Word of the Day: Resilient

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Gregarious

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Introvert

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Competent

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Complacent

Worksheet

Can You Write a Creative Story With Your Vocabulary Words?

Worksheet

Vocabulary Builder

Worksheet

Vocabulary Unit #2: Abysmal, Adamant, Benevolent, Conceited, Cynical, Ostracize, Expedite, Gregarious

Google Doc of Resources

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qGdu6z_slpKNIsnoqGEpGjdAFFjiCSEAkwA1ps7Mn4Q/edit?tab=t.0

Ebook:

Word of the Day: Abysmal

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Adamant

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Benevolent

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Conceited

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Cynical

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Ostracize

Worksheet

Ostracize Article:

https://www.teenlife.com/blog/ostracism-why-it-is-so-damaging-for-your-teen

Word of the Day: Expedite

Worksheet

Review Word From Unit #1: Gregarious

Worksheet

Vocabulary Practice: Use These 8 SAT Words in a Story 

Worksheet

Final Assessment:

Worksheet

Vocabulary Unit #3: Extrovert, Prosperity, Loquacious, Condescending, Bolster, Pervasive, Concede, Egregious

Google Doc of Activities:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQav23uBHFs1qRGWqOf-QYtChmXu8E3ZmQ5sfHnKJ8E/edit?tab=t.0

Ebook:

Word of the Day: Extrovert

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Prosperity

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Loquacious

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Condescending

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Bolster

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Pervasive

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Concede

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Egregious

Worksheet

Write a Creative Story Using Your 8 Vocabulary Words

Worksheet

Assessment: Use the 8 words in your writing

Worksheet

Vocabulary Unit #4: Altruism, Ubiquitous, Ambitious, Disparage, Lucrative, Excessive, Polyglot, Acquiesce

Google Doc of Resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z5Zo_Pty6mIFZByfSmeJ57aqhyJRQ9UWou5pU4AHKPE/edit?tab=t.0

Ebook

Word of the Day: Altruism

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Ubiquitous

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Ambitious

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Disparage

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Lucrative

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Excessive

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Polyglot

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Acquiesce

Worksheet

Write a Creative Story Using Your 8 Words

Worksheet

Assessment

Worksheet

Vocabulary Unit #5: Erratic, Ambiguous, Persistent, Enigma, Succinct, Torrential, Epitome, Refute

Google Doc of Resources:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sws9-TgGPwJVSRTxhUU_M1cGT1WW7mTqZx-luhNq-fw/edit?tab=t.0

Ebook:

Word of the Day: Erratic

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Ambiguous

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Persistent

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Enigma

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Succinct

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Torrential

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Epitome

Worksheet

Word of the Day: Refute

Worksheet

Write a Creative Story Using Your 8 Words

Worksheet

Assessment/Vocabulary Builder

Worksheet