Saturday, November 9, 2013

Building Vocabulary

Building vocabulary relating to science is very important to help children fully understand the concepts being taught in the classroom.

There are a number of ways to build their vocabulary in the classroom.  So many of my readers are pros at it!

One way is to create a word wall by adding the vocabulary words as they are being taught in the classroom.  You could put them under an alphabet strip/letters or in a grid format depending on your wall space.  I used the tri-fold foam boards for easy travel & organization. I placed them on top of my cabinets to get them as low to the children without furniture covering them up. Then we were told to take everything off our cabinets and they had to go.

Now I make them in a different way.  I make smaller anchor charts with the vocabulary word under the given topic & a picture clue to match.  They seem to be effective with my class. These anchor charts are 2 sheets of paper turned long like a hotdog.  You trim them in the middle and presto a compact anchor chart that does not take up too much room!

These match the 2nd Grade Cy-Fair study guide.
If you need some made for your class, feel free to email me @ planethappysmiles@gmail.com

Here are the posters I have made.  You can find them in my TPT store.
I am currently working on:
Habitats

Astronomy
Butterflies
Weather


Another way I have tried to increase their vocabulary is by making stations that they use their words often.  I am in the process of putting them together to load online soon!

Once I load my stations there are cards you can use for your word wall & for the small group activity.

Two other anchor charts you may love are ...
Scientific Process (Newest Addition)
Properties of Matter (Best Seller)

I have a few others I am in the process of completing and I will load them soon.
Happy Vocabulary Building!
Karen

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