Awhile ago I posted about the vocabulary word groups that I was doing in my classroom. That was when I first started the strategy. Now we’re about four ‘word groups’ in and I thought I’d give an update. I think so far this strategy is more successful than any other vocabulary strategy I’ve used.
I’m not going to say every single kid knows every single word inside out and upside down, but I am actually seeing them retain some of the words through repetition. Right now, we are doing the ‘important’ words.
I haven’t left the other word groups (sad, happy and different) behind because the kids really need the repetition of the words in order to retain them. I have thrown the other words on quizzes, done review activities, and recently, the kids made Frayer diagrams using one word of choice.
I made word walls with them and posted the three word groups all over the classroom.
![IMG_0331[1]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03311.jpg "IMG_0331[1]")
Words that mean different
![IMG_0332[1]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03321.jpg "IMG_0332[1]")
![IMG_0333[2]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03332.jpg "IMG_0333[2]")
Words that mean sad. Kids like to pick fun at me and my cat, Frank. I didn’t think this particular drawing was very nice.
![IMG_0329[1]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03291.jpg "IMG_0329[1]")
![IMG_0330[1]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03301.jpg "IMG_0330[1]")
I would be very somber if Frank died! How rude!!
![IMG_0334[1]](http://aburgwin.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_03341.jpg "IMG_0334[1]")
Happy/Good words
Hopefully these word walls will help further reinforce the words as they will be looking at them every day. Just don’t know what I’m going to do when I run out of wall space for all of our word groups…..
I bet your students get so much from this!
Very creative idea! I think it will be so helpful for your students!
good idea! i love seeing what different teachers do to teach their students.
Bahaha how rude!! I would be SOMBER to the moon if my cat died. Love this post!
So cute! Teaching must be such a fun job.
I’m sure those kids will look back and remember how they learned somber and a cryptic picture! Lol I love the honesty in kids!
Haha….it’s fun (most of the time!)