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Building Vocabulary

Time Frame

1 class periods of 70 minutes each

Group Size

Small Groups

Authors

Utah LessonPlans

Summary

This activity gives students practice using vocabulary words by matching them to definitions, pictures and examples. The students will create their own definitions, pictures and examples for other words.


Materials

  • 10 sets of word cards (attached)
  • biology text
  • computers with Internet connections (one per 2-3 students) The computers are optional, this could also be done with paper and pencil.


Background for Teachers

This activity can be done at any time. It could be an introductory or summary activity. It could be recreated in any unit for the given words. Note that the new science core contains vocabulary words listed at the end of each standard. These words would be excellent ones to use. This activity could be used as a review for CRT tests. Each student group could take the vocabulary from a standard in the core and as students share their work, a review of the entire year's vocabulary could be accomplished.


Instructional Procedures

Attachments

  1. Run off the words, definitions, pictures and examples attached. If desired, they can be laminated.
  2. Instruct students to match the word with its definition, picture and example or characteristic and raise their hands when finished.
  3. Select students to present their results to the class to check for accuracy.
  4. Assign students to groups at the computers or in the classroom.
  5. Explain to students that they will be creating cards for additional words in the unit. These are the words that are defined by the core curriculum for Standard II. Assign groups to different sets of 6 to 8 words.

    photosynthesis, respiration, predator, energy flow, solar energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy, prey, mutualism, parasitism, competition, environment, capacity, organism, decomposer

  6. Students can each take a job of creating the word, definition, example or picture. They can write them on cards using construction paper, markers and rulers to make the boxes. If they use a computer they should use a word processing program they can use "text boxes" for the cards.
  7. Pictures can be searched for using this web site using the google "images". Pictures can be inserted into text boxes.
  8. Give students time to work on the assignment and print off finished word "sets". They should cut out the cards and keep them together.
  9. Each group should do at least 6 word sets. When they are finished, they should trade them with another group.
  10. The groups should rate each others' word sets with the following rubric attached.


Assessment Plan

Attachments


Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff


Created: 10/14/2014
Updated: 02/01/2018
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