Teaching Vocabulary with Technology

In today’s world of abbreviated language and text lingo, teaching vocabulary can be a daunting task. Sometimes it’s difficult to decipher if technology is helping or hindering students. Here are a few ways to use technology to assist with building vocabulary:

Create a Picture Dictionary

When a new unit starts allow students to create a Google Doc or Google Slide. On the Doc or Slide, use tables to create columns and rows. Allow students to add their vocabulary word, definition, and a picture. To extend the activity, have students reflect on how the picture relates to the meaning of the new word.

Use Wordle

Wordle is a web application that creates word clouds. Allow students to enter words that are related to a common unit or have similar meanings. This can also serve as a review activity to see how many new vocabulary words students remember for the unit being taught.

Create a Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt

Using QR codes, place the definitions of new terms around the room. Allow students to move around the room adding the correct term to each definition. The QR code can be linked to a Google Form, Google slide, or Google Doc.

These are a few easy ways to use technology to add to your vocabulary lessons.

The Reflective Teacher

The reflective teacher realizes the benefits of reviewing their methods. Reflective practice results in modified planning and formative assessment that improve lessons. Recap provides a great resource for students and teachers. It keeps an ongoing record of reflections to questions entered by the teacher.

Recap as a PD Tool

The Reflective Teacher Model, TAP, and the IB program are just a few models that require teachers to reflect on lessons and necessary modifications for improvement. As administrators conduct professional development throughout the year, allowing teachers to reflect gives administrators access to their growth. Throughout the school year, principals can document and share positive changes as well as areas of improvement that teachers make. This not only supports a growth mindset within your school community, but it displays support for teachers and their efforts.

Recap as a Reflective Tool for students

Students need opportunities to reflect on lesson as much as teachers do. Recap allows students to create a short response to questions. There are several ways to implement this in classes, especially those that are in a 1:1 computing environment. Teachers can go beyond entrance/exit slips and incorporate fun characters from Pokemon Go or other games that students identify with. In addition to creating a Recap-Go activity, teachers can allow students to move around to stations while answering questions about each one. Teachers can select the amount of time that students can record for a reflection. Watching a few quick videos sure beats carrying home notebooks that students are using for journal writing.

If you’re searching for a free and easy tool to use in your classroom, look no further.

Visit: https://letsrecap.com/

Are You Teaching with Pokemon Go?

   

     Pulling in popular trends is a great way to engage students and get them excited about the lesson of the day. If you've engaged in the game, it's difficult not to get sucked in. Although students can't roam freely around the school, teachers can capitalize on this concept. Here are a few ways to integrate Pokemon Go in your classroom:

Writing Prompts

Everyone is responsible for teaching literacy skills regardless of the content, use characters as prompt starters. Students can write about the Pokemon's super powers or describe a habitat where it might live. The lessons can be extended so that students are using additional skills such as comparison, publishing writing, or descriptive language. 

Create a Game Environment

Post characters around the classroom and use QR codes to add questions, videos, or tasks for students to complete. Get creative about where characters are placed so that students have to move around and look for them. As an added bonus, offer an incentive or a prize for students that find all of the Pokemons. 

Use Parts of the Game to Teach a Concept

In the game the Pokemons evolve, use this to introduce topics such as adaptation. Eggs are also collected during the game, teachers can use this as a hook to discuss eggs. 

Even if the teacher hasn't played the game, a Google search will display everything anyone would need to know about Pokemon Go. It's a free download, take a look and give it a try with students.