There are many engaging vocabulary review Ideas that can be used to help students build vocabulary.

Vocabulary instruction plays a huge role in helping students become strong readers. When students understand the meaning of words, they are able to better comprehend what they are reading. As teachers, we can directly teach word-learning strategies such as using context clues, root words, affixes, and much more.

Here are some paperless ideas to use across all content areas. Many of these vocabulary activities are collaborative and would work best with student partners or groups.

FREE Vocabulary Map Printable

Grab this free vocabulary map printable which can be used with any of the activities listed below. Can be glued into interactive notebooks or print several copies and create a vocabulary booklet to use during any content area!

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5 Fun Vocabulary Review Ideas:

1. Find your Match-

photo of a little girl with a sticky note on her forehead playing a vocabulary review game

Divide students into groups. Assign each group a vocabulary word and give them 4 sticky notes. Students will write the word, definition, synonym, and antonym on each of the sticky notes. Collect all the sticky notes.

Afterwards, give each student in the class ONE random sticky note and have them stick it on themselves somewhere visible. (They may have a word, synonym, definition, or antonym!) Students will walk around the classroom and try to find their ‘vocabulary group’. (Matching word, definition, synonym, and antonym)

2. Vocabulary Charades-

photo of students playing vocabulary charades outside- vocabulary review idea

Use this review activity right before your weekly vocabulary test! Assign a vocabulary word to each pair of students. (Sometimes we have three students per group. It all depends on how many words & students you have.) Students are given five minutes to discuss with their group and come up with a mini ‘skit’ to represent their word.

Their skit must be completely silent! Therefore, everything must be acted out. They will come to the front of the class and act out their word. Once they are done, they get to choose an audience member to guess what word they were acting out. (audience members must also explain what the word means)

3. Bean Bag Story Toss-

Start by giving your class a story starter. (For instance, “I opened my desk drawer and couldn’t believe what I spotted inside!”) Then, toss a beanbag to a student. That student will add a sentence to the story and use one of their vocabulary words in the sentence. He/she will then toss the beanbag to another classmate and that classmate will add another sentence to the story. Continue until all students have had a chance!

Additionally, you might want to record the story on anchor chart paper as the students add on and read the final product at the end!

4. Word Detectives-

vocabulary review idea-vocabulary detective

First, pair up students and give them a piece of chart paper. Students will write sentences with their vocabulary words. (or a story if you have higher achieving students) Then, the students will cover up the vocabulary word in each sentence using a sticky note. They can also just draw a blank instead of actually writing the vocabulary word.

Students will trade chart papers with another group. Finally, each group uses context clues within the sentences to try and guess the missing vocabulary word.

5. Prefix & Suffix Competition-

First, set up a line of buckets filled with prefix and suffix strips inside. Students will pick up a vocabulary card and then toss a beanbag inside a bucket. If they make it, they will get to pick a paper strip from inside. If the prefix or suffix matches their word and they are able to make a new word, they score a point for their team!

For example: Student picks the word “fortunate” and the prefix “un”. Since he is able to make the word ‘unfortunate’, he scores a point for his team.

Vocabulary Center Ideas:

Vocabulary centers can be a fun way to review word-learning strategies. Students are given the opportunity to work with each other to develop understanding of new words.

Vocabulary Camp Task Cards and ELA Center Activities:(PRINTABLE and DIGITAL) This vocabulary resource gives students the opportunity to work with different vocabulary strategies. Students will work with affixes, multiple meaning words, synonyms & antonyms, and context clues to develop better understanding of vocabulary.