30 Surefire Ways To Build Student Vocabulary

When students have a robust vocabulary, it strengthens their reading, writing and discussion skills. But how do you build students' vocabulary without resorting to vocab lists and memorization? These 30 ideas will have students applying their vocabulary words in new and engaging ways.

1. Not the Same Old Vocabulary

go.sadlier.com

Do your students constantly use the same tired, worn-out words? Get them to substitute "droll" for "boring" and "stupendous" for "awesome" with this activity. They'll build a more precise, sophisticated vocabulary and you'll get some variety in your day. (For grades 6–12)

2. Words of the Week

go.sadlier.com

They have to start somewhere! This graphic organizer helps students learn their words and can serve as a reference for games and activities. (For grades 1–12)

3. Word Potpourri

go.sadlier.com

For students who love Mad Libs, this icebreaker involves passing around a slip of paper on which each student writes one word (adjective, noun or verb) before passing it on. Then, when all the spaces are filled out with each part of speech, the students unfurl the paper and have to use all the words they came up with in a sentence. (For grades 4–12)

4. Vocab-Categories

go.sadlier.com

What words will students come up with when given prompts and the letter S, A or C? See how many vocabulary words students can apply to categories ranging from "fairy tale characters" to "types of desserts." (For grades 3–12)

5. Vocabulary Land

go.sadlier.com

Think Candy Land for vocab. This game challenges students to use words in sentences and stories, pair movements with words, and make jokes using vocabulary words. What a fun way to apply vocabulary! (For grades 4–12)

6. Vocabulary Bingo

go.sadlier.com

A classic vocabulary practice game, students write their vocabulary words on bingo cards, then they can play round after round. (For grades 1–12)

7. Bracket Battle

go.sadlier.com

Have students duke it out by creating Final Four brackets using different types of words (adjectives, nouns, verbs ...). (For grades 2–12)

8. Vocabulary Advisor

go.sadlier.com

This is an activity for students who always have tips and ideas. Have them write five pieces of advice using their vocabulary words. (For grades 4–12)

9. Create Vocabulary Boards

go.sadlier.com

Have students use drawings or cut-out images to create a Pinterest-style board that displays their vocabulary. This is a great way to engage visual learners. (For grades 4–12)

10. Go Fish

go.sadlier.com

In this synonym game, students ask around and pull cards to match words with synonyms. (For grades 1–5)

11. On a Roll

go.sadlier.com

Using a di, students use their vocabulary words differently depending on what number they roll in this game for pairs or small groups.

(For grades 3–12)

12. Comic Strips

go.sadlier.com

Turn students into storytellers with vocabulary comic strips. They can use pre-created comics or create their own. (For grades 2–12)

13. Picabulary

go.sadlier.com

Students select a vocabulary word that they draw in this quick classroom game, then their teammates try to guess it. Extra points if the students can use the word in a sentence! (For grades 3–12)

14. Ode to Vocab

go.sadlier.com|99a7da46-a19

In this activity, students write valentines to their vocabulary words. They can extol the wonderful aspects of grime or wax poetic about peculiar. (For grades 1–12)

15. Prezi Vocabulary

go.sadlier.com

Students can use videos, images and text to create a Prezi that teaches others about their word. Challenge students to see how creative they can get. (For grades 3–12)

16. Piece It Together

go.sadlier.com

After students make puzzles using vocabulary, with words or definitions on one side and an image on the other, they can choose how they want to put it together, with the words or the images face-up. (For grades 1–12)

17. Wordy Recognition

go.sadlier.com

Students use vocabulary words to create awards for themselves or someone else. This helps them practice using the words in context. (For grades 1–12)

18. Snow Day Vocabulary

go.sadlier.com

Snow days inspire excitement—have students apply that excitement by using their vocabulary words to write paragraphs that explain what they would do during a snow day. (For grades 1–8)

19. Think-Tac-Toe

go.sadlier.com

Adding choice makes vocabulary work more engaging. With a Think-Tac-Toe board, students can choose three activities in a row to practice vocabulary. And if they change the three boxes they mark, they're changing their experience each time. (For grades 6–12)

20. Oranges to Oranges

go.sadlier.com

When students play Oranges to Oranges, the first player pulls a green adjective card (synonyms are written underneath the word). Then, other players try to decide which of their red noun cards will match it. The player who pulled the green card decides which orange noun card matches their adjective. Then, the winner keeps the green card. (For grades 4–12)

.

21. The Perfect Meal

go.sadlier.com

Inspire students' appetites as well as their vocabulary by having them describe the perfect meal using vocabulary words. (For grades 1–12)

22. Name a Car!

go.sadlier.com

This activity will appeal to the students who are interested in advertising or engineering. They'll use their vocabulary to create and describe a car. (For grades 4–12)

23. Word Toss

sadlier.com

Students sit in a circle and take turns tossing a ball (or beanbag or other item). The first student says a vocabulary word and tosses it to another student who must provide the definition.

24. Row Races

go.sadlier.com

In this team activity, students sit in rows of four. A list of vocabulary words is written on the board for students to refer to. Each student takes turns contributing to a collaborative story by writing a sentence that includes the vocabulary word that's on the list when their turn comes up (and it has to be cohesive). (For grades 4–12)

25. Bright Words

go.sadlier.com

Using coloring book pages, students think about how they can relate the images to their vocabulary words. Then, they color in the image using colors based on their words. (For grades K–6)

26. King Me!

go.sadlier.com

Using a vocabulary checkers board, students must use each word on the board in a sentence when they land on the space. (For grades 1–12)

27. Super-Vocabulary

go.sadlier.com

Students search and collect vocabulary words in this activity. Throughout the day, in school and out, they gather the vocabulary words they read (magazines, books, newspapers), hear (hallway, song, commercial, TV, movies), or write (text messages, notes, journals). (For grades 1–12)

28. Test Prep

go.sadlier.com

Test prep can be fun if kids see it as strategy. Use these test prep tips to prepare students (quickly) for spring tests. (For grades 2–12)

29. Mother May I?

go.sadlier.com

This classic playground game has been adapted for vocabulary practice! Students must insert their vocabulary words when they're phrasing questions about what they can do. This game is great for kinesthetic learners and can be extended throughout the day—play Mother May I? as kids line up for specials or wait in line during bathroom breaks. (For grades 2–12)

30. Don't Say It!

go.sadlier.com

In Guess That Word, students create their own deck of cards using their vocabulary words. Each card has a vocabulary word and a list of synonyms that can't be used when students are trying to guess the word. Students then take turns choosing a card or guessing their teammates' words. (For grades 2–5)