Activities for Teaching Science Vocabulary

When people think about science education, they usually envision students working hard at experiments. And while experiments such as growing plants or combining chemicals are an important part of science education, they aren't the only part. Scientific disciplines each have their own vocabulary and learning those words is just as important as completing experiments. But finding activities to teach that vocabulary can be challenging.

Demonstrations

Use the appropriate vocabulary during demonstrations. Start off by incorporating the science vocabulary into what you're already doing. Invite more student engagement by having them assist you in demonstrations. As you show kindergarteners how to plant seeds, for example, ask a student to pass you the soil, not the dirt.

Diagrams

Students don't always pay attention to the posters you've hung in the classroom. So even if you have a poster explaining a scientific method, students may not notice it. But if they create posters describing the scientific method and illustrating its steps, they will be more likely to use them as a reference. Plus, they will have reviewed the information while making the posters. If you use science notebooks, make sure that students draw and label pictures of what they are learning so that they have accessible diagrams of the solar system, the water cycle, or whatever you are studying.

Memory Cards

Instead of creating traditional flashcards like those used in math, have students make cards to play the game Memory. Ask students to write their words and the definitions on separate index cards. To play the game, partners should lay all of their cards facedown. Students take turns flipping two cards over, hoping for a match between the definition and the science vocabulary word. The students with the most matched pairs at the end wins.

Back Words

Each student gets a science vocabulary word taped to his back. She must try to guess what the word is by asking classmates yes-or-no questions. You can have all students do this at the same time while circulating through the classroom, or you can put students into small groups.

References

• Teach-Nology: Ideas for Teaching New Science Vocabulary