How to Teach Vocabulary to Adolescents to Improve Comprehension

Discover entertaining educational activities to teach vocabulary and comprehension.

Teaching vocabulary to adolescents improves comprehension. Students as young as 5 years old can learn basic words and complete activity sheets. Older students also benefit from vocabulary instruction and comprehension worksheets. Although students may be able to accurately read the words on page, that does not mean they understand the terms. Looking up vocabulary words and writing definitions and sentences is a tried and true way to learn new words. Add some spice to old school tactics and make learning vocabulary words fun for the students. Complement traditional learning methods with hands-on activities and educational games.

Things You'll Need

• Index cards
• Construction paper
• Vocabulary worksheets
• Crayons or markers
• Chalkboard or white board and writing instruments
• Candy or small prizes
• Hole punch
• Yarn or string
• Video camera

Instructions

1. Introduce a rousing game of Vocabulary Bingo to your students. Gather some small prizes or reward tickets for the winners. Give each student a piece of colorful construction paper and have him draw a bingo style chart with crayons or markers. You can also make a chart on a computer as a handout, but younger students will enjoy creating the game piece themselves. The squares will need to be a little wider than a traditional bingo box because the students will write the definition of each word you're studying in a square with a pen or pencil. When you call out the vocabulary words, students will place an "X" or small piece of candy on the definition's square as a marker.

2. Play a vocabulary trivia game. Place two chairs back-to-back in the front of the classroom. One chair should face the chalkboard. Write a vocabulary word on the board for the facing student to view. Allow 10 questions or one-word synonym clues. Set a timer for each pair and reward the pair of students who name the most vocabulary words to earn a prize or reward.

3. Organize a "Vocabulary Detective" educational game. Issue one word to each student and instruct the student to write the word on one side of an index card and the definition on the back. Punch a hole in each card and run a piece of yarn through the card. Collect all of the cards and pin a string to the back of each student's shirt. Allow the students to walk around the classroom and ask each other questions to determine what vocabulary word is on his back. Students can earn points or rewards for their vocabulary prowess.

4. Make a vocabulary video. Assign each student a word and allow her to make a one-minute "commercial" that explains and promotes the importance of their word. The project may take two class sessions. The students will write a short script and then make or gather props. The commercial may use the word in a promotional manner to "sell" the prop or gathered item.

References

• Pro Teacher: Vocabulary Games
• Vocabulary Can Be Fun: Games and Resources