1.800.221.5175
Mathematics
Sadlier Math Grades K–6
Core Program
Full Access
Progress in Mathematics Grades K–6
Core Program
Full Access
Progress in Mathematics Grades 7–8+
Core Program
Full Access
Progress Mathematics Grades K–8
National Program
Full Access
New York
Critical Thinking for Active Math Minds
Grades 3–6
Preparing for Standards Based Assessments
Grades 7–8
Reading & Writing
From Phonics to Reading Grades K-3
Print Program
Interactive Practice Bundle
Fluency Booster Practice Book
Interactive Assessments
High-Impact Tutoring
Sadlier Phonics
Grades K–3
Close Reading of Complex Texts Grades 3–8
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Building Reading Success with Wiley Blevins Grades K–5
Tier 2 & Tier 3 Intervention for Grades K—5
Sadlier Handwriting Practice
Print Program
Progress English Language Arts Grades K–8
National Program
Full Access
New York
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Workshop, Tools for Comprehension Grades 1–5
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop Achieve Grades 6–12+
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop, Tools for Excellence Grades 6–12+
Print Program
Interactive Edition
Vocabulary Workshop Adaptive
Grades 6—12
Vocabulary for Success
Grades 6–10
Grammar
Grammar Workshop, Tools for Writing
Grades 2–5
Grammar Workshop
Grades 6–8
Grammar for Writing
Grades 6–12
Intervention
Building Reading Success with Wiley Blevins
Tier 2 & Tier 3 Intervention for Grades K—5
Professional Learning
Professional Learning
Services

Sadlier's
English Language Arts Blog

The home of Vocab Gal and other educational experts K–12 resources

July 18, 2017 VG Teaching Resources Vocab & ELA Res, Vocab Gal, ELA PD - Literacy, ELA K-5, ELA Focus - Reading, ELA 6-8, ELA Resources - Activities, ELA 9-12, ELA PD - Vocabulary, ELA Focus - Writing with Vocabulary, ELA Focus - Vocabulary

3 Vocabulary Activities to Use with In-Class Texts

I make it a priority to integrate vocabulary into every aspect of my English class. I really enjoy having students use their vocabulary to discuss the text(s) we are studying in class. Here are a few of my favorite vocabulary activities that can be applied to contextual analysis.

Make it a priority to integrate vocabulary into every aspect of your English class. I really enjoy having students use their vocabulary to discuss the text(s) we are studying in class. Here are a few of my favorite vocabulary activities that can be applied to contextual analysis.

3 VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES TO USE WITH IN-CLASS TEXTS

ACTIVITY 1: DESIGN A DWELLING

Isn't it amazing that words strung together and typed on a sheet of paper have the potential to transport us into imagined realms!

When we are reading a text as a class, I often wonder how my students are imagining a certain setting in the story or how they envision an intense scene is playing out.

Readers become architects of the author's story and I'm always a bit disappointed that I don't have a superpower that allows me to get a glimpse into what my students are constructing with their imaginations.

One way I get a peek into my students' imaginations is with the Design Your Own Dwelling Vocabulary Activity. With this worksheet, I have students design the dwellings of the book they are reading, based on the author’s descriptions and their inferences from the text.

Students label their designs with quotes and inferences from the writing, as well as their vocabulary words.

No matter what the text, having to study author’s descriptions and make inferences, as well as use vocabulary words, makes this activity a winner!

 Have students design the dwellings of the book they are reading, based on the author’s descriptions and their inferences from the text. Students should label these designs with quotes and inferences from the writing, as well as their vocabulary words. No matter what the text, having to study author’s descriptions and make inferences, as well as use vocabulary words, makes this activity a winner!

Download Now

 

ACTIVITY 2: THE MANY FACES OF VOCABULARY

Don't you love when an author describes the features of a character so well that it feels as though they've come to life and must exist somewhere in the world?!

I enjoy discussing with students how the physical features of a character can sometimes indicate what their overall disposition is like, or what they've experienced in the past. From the upturned nose to the way a calloused hand moves... it all tells the reader something they need to know about the character!

Using the Many Faces of Vocabulary Description Activity have students design the faces of the characters from literature, again using both the author’s descriptions and their own inferences.

Students should label these designs with quotes and ideas from the novel, as well as vocabulary words.

Making faces is great way to combine text and vocabulary studies!

Have students design the faces of the characters from literature, again using both the author’s descriptions and their own inferences. Students should label these designs with quotes and ideas from the novel, as well as vocabulary words. Making faces is great way to combine text and vocabulary studies!

 Download Now

 

ACTIVITY 3: AWARDS WITH VOCABULARY

Have students give authors, characters, events and places awards befitting their themes or significance.

Simon, from Lord of the Flies, can be “most altruistic” while Jonas, from The Giver, can be “most empathic.” Author Jane Austen can be given an award for “most droll” and the setting in “The Most Dangerous Game” can be considered “most belligerent.”

Have students be creative in coming up with awards based on textual themes or ideas, and insist that underneath their vocabulary-infused award they have a vocabulary-laden explanation.

VOC_DL_AwardsWithWords_Thumb_@2X

Vocabulary-Activities

IN SUMMARY

The more ways we can integrate vocabulary with contextual studies, the more students see vocabulary as an essential aspect of English, and hopefully, life skills.