Word Lists In Elementary Classroom Lesson Plans

Using Word Lists

 

• Invent riddles with the words on a chart. Using a weather chart word list an example might be: "something very hot and bright = the sun"

• Put the words in order by the first letter, first two letters, etc.


• Name all the words beginning with the same letter, ending with the same letter

• Doing this activity is another way to reinforce the student's ability to remember and visualize the words by their lengths; it is also useful as a counting practice activity

• Having to think of a definition for a word, helps children retain it. This is also a fun activity as some of the definitions you get from the children are quite unique and interesting and an eye opener about the child and his environment.

• This activity is specially helpful for ESL teachers. Formulating questions is usually difficult for children learning a second language.

• Order the words by subject: all animal names, toys, means of transport, etc. With older children it can be used to reinforce nouns, verbs, or other skills being taught.

• Adding to the list the new words learned helps to remember them, to visualize them in a different context. This can also be used as a challenging activity, asking children to find new words to add to our list at home, around them, in books, etc.

• Find words with two vowels together, words ending in e, etc.

• Some suggestions: make your own word bank to use for story writing; for word practice; for flash card games. Later the children can take it home to show their parents all the new words they have learned.