2nd Graders Shine Light on Vocabulary Learning

Knowing vocabulary words is key to reading comprehension. When I was in school, we learned vocabulary words by looking them up in a dictionary, writing down the definition, taking them home to memorize and then reciting them the next day. As fun as that process was, it wasn't the best way to learn and retain the meaning of the words. Also,it really wasn’t fun. Learning vocabulary words doesn't have to be boring.

 Pre-teaching vocabulary allows students to identify words and place them in context when reading. Our 2nd grade EL students can shed some light on that.

Prior to reading a story, 2nd graders created a picture dictionary.

First, I introduced a word then asked them what they know about it. If it was a word they knew,  we wrote a definition they crafted (ie: decorate means to make pretty or fancy). If the word was unfamiliar, I told them what it meant, then they created a definition they felt comfortable with (ie: cursed is a bad wish). Everyone wrote the same definition but then students drew their own illustration to demonstrate the definition.  

To review the vocabulary words, students selected a word and wrote the definition on the back of an index card. On the front of the card, students wrote the vocabulary word with an invisible ink marker. Then students paired up with a partner, read them the definition, and the partner had to guess the word. Students shone a UV light on the card to check their answer.  It was a fun, engaging way for students to learn and review vocabulary words.