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 #1: This 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