A quick, fun and engaging activity to have students learn and practice using vocabulary is a game called Flash Vocabulary. In this game students are paired up. Using a document camera or overhead projector, teacher places a vocabulary words down, showing the words on a screen or wall. Teacher can also just write the words and cover them up as well. One student has their back to the vocabulary and one student is facing the vocabulary (the direction of the screen). As the teacher flashes the vocabulary, the students facing the screen have to describe the vocabulary word or define it WITHOUT using the vocabulary word. As you can guess, students with their backs to the screen have to guess the vocabulary word.
To step it up, teachers may throw down a list of words. The goal then is to be the first pair to identify all the vocabulary words.
This game can be spur-of-the-moment, part of an anticipatory set, or break-up a long day of instruction.
RESOURCES
Improving Student Learning through Effective Vocabulary Instruction page
Resourceful Book for Student Teachers and Job Seekers
