Fun Vocab Practice!

I really like to teach vocabulary in context. I'm not typically one for generating random lists of words for my kids to learn. I encourage them to stop and ask me about words that are unfamiliar and we talk about them. 

We recently just started reading The Thieves of Ostia by Caroline Lawrence. (Click the link to grab this book for yourself!)


We're already quite enjoying it and I chose it because we were going to be studying Ancient Rome this fall. Even in the first few chapters the kids have been exposed to so much learning about Roman culture. 

Right now we are listening to the audio book on audible so you can click the link and get the audio version if you prefer. 

As we are listening I take it upon myself to jot down words that I know will be unfamiliar to my kids. You could definitely have the kids do it themselves but sometimes I find it distracts from immersing themselves in the story if they're having to stop and write. 

After we're done reading/listening I'll then have them draw cards to guess what they mean. 

After our guessing game I divide the words up and then have them ask Siri for the definitions. *GASP* I know right... that's totally cheating. Here's the thing... I am all about knowing what my goal is and then finding efficient ways to achieve it. My goal here is that they learn the meaning of the words. My goal here is NOT that they learn dictionary skills. (When I want them to learn dictionary skills I teach them dictionary skills). Also... dictionaries are inefficient. I want them to know how to look something up but in real life when I need to figure out a word - I ask Siri or I google it. I have no problem with my kids doing the same. They then write the definition on the back of the card. 

*Side Note - I also have started giving my son an ipad when he's writing so that he can ask Siri how to spell words instead of asking me 15 times. I always encourage him to invent spellings but he just likes to have it done "right". *

O.K. This isn't sounding super fun yet... here's the fun part. Instead of having them write down sentences for how they'd use the word and to show their understanding I make them do Improv. 

Yes, improv. I give them a scene, let them choose characters and then they have to act through a scene and incorporate each word from their collection. To spice it up I might throw a card into the scene at any time and they have to use it immediately. It makes for some funny situations when they're acting out being an emperor and roman guard and suddenly the emperor needs to use the "latrine" giving the guard opportunity to steal the "amulet" and wash his "toga". 

You definitely see in a hurry that they understand the vocabulary and can use it in context! Plus they think it's hilarious. 

I think this would be an awesome activity in a classroom as well! 

How do you make vocab fun? I'd love to hear your ideas!



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