vocabulary notebook activities

21 Ideas for Teaching Vocabulary

I’m sharing 21 ideas for teaching vocabulary. You may not be able to use all of them, but I hope you can find some ideas that will work well for you!

I’ve shared books about vocabulary instruction , as well as the theory and techniques . This post is a lot more practical. We’re all about ideas today!

I’m sharing the bare bones of the ideas here.

I’m adding lengthier explanations for some of them with more tips and fleshed-out instructions on my website devoted just to vocabulary instruction, VocabularyLuau .

You’ll see that option at the end of the idea if it’s available. 

IDEA #1: Semantic Maps

In this activity, the teacher chooses a word and displays it for the class on a whiteboard, etc.

Students read the word and then think of words that come to mind when they see that word (this is awesome because it activates prior learning).

A list is created of all of the words that come to mind, and then those words are categorized.

This can be done as a whole class or in small groups.

Students then create a “map” using a graphic organizer and discuss it. Additional or substitute categories can be suggested.

As students read through the text, they can add related words to the map.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #2: Eye Spy

Give students a list of words to search for in a text or have them find unfamiliar words.

You can award points to the words based on different criteria (longest new word, word with most consonants, etc.).

Invest in a set of inexpensive dollar store magnifying glasses to make this more game-like.

This is a great pre-reading activity.

Want more details on this strategy? Get the step-by-step on  VocabularyLuau.

IDEA #3: Making Choices

Students show their understanding of vocabulary by saying the word when it applies, or remaining silent when it doesn’t.

For example: “Say radiant if any of these things would make someone look radiant.” -Winning a million dollars. -Earning a gold medal. -Walking to the post office. -Cleaning your room. -Having a picture you painted hung in the school library. 

(This idea is from the book Bringing Words to Life , recommended in the books section.)

This is one of the key strategies teachers need in introducing new vocabulary. Because of that, I’ve written extensively and given a dozen examples from different texts for Kinder through 12th grade on VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #4: Sorting Hat

Use a Harry Potter theme to have students sort words into categories. They can pull them out of a hat.

If you give them the categories, it’s called a “closed sort.” If they come up with their own categories, it’s called “open sort.”

This one is so, so fun. I explain lots more about how to do it on VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #5: Word Pairs

Give students words in pairs and have them evaluate if the words are the same, opposite, go together, or are unrelated.

This strategy is terrific for building critical thinking skills along with the vocabulary.

Get even more details and variations at VocabularyLuau .

(adapted from Word Power: What Every Educator Needs to Know about Teaching Vocabulary )

IDEA #6: Linear Array

In this strategy, students use a graphic organizer that is a rectangle, three ovals, and then another rectangle, all in a line.

The word in question goes in the rectangle on the far left.

The rectangle on the far right is filled in with a word that is the opposite.

The center three ovals are filled in with words that go from the far left to the far right, gradually become less similar until they reach the opposite.

For example, microscopic, tiny, small, bigger, large.

You can see examples of the graphic organizer, more details, and lots of variations on VocabularyLuau .

(adapted from Words, Words, Words: Teaching Vocabulary in Grades 4 – 12 )

IDEA #7: Games

Many “real” games work well for vocab play and practice. Games such as Balderdash , Taboo , Scrabble , Blurt , Bananagrams ,  word bingo, and others are fun.

There are online games as well, such as Scholastic’s Synonym Toast .

[Note: I am a notoriously horrible Scrabble player, and every time I play I think, “English teachers should be better at this.” It’s not my favorite.]

IDEA #8: Scavenger Hunt

Have a word scavenger hunt in books, magazines, articles on the net, or in the school or home.

Don’t just go for numbers; go for unusual words, academic vocabulary, weird spellings, homophones, etc.

IDEA #9: Word Wheel

Copy and paste this image onto a sheet of cardstock and make a vocab spinner game. EisforExplore shares the whole idea here.

Explore Spinner

IDEA #10: Vocabulary Photo Album

Using a simple, inexpensive photo album, students create a visual glossary of key words.

I’ve got pictures of examples, details, and more ideas at VocabularyLuau , if you’d like to read more.

IDEA #11: Tally

Use tally marks to track words you’re trying to practice.

Mark whenever the teacher says the word in context, and mark twice when a student does.

Alternatively, you can have the tally marks be even, but play the teacher versus the class.

There’s so much more to this strategy. Learn more about how tally marks can help you teach vocabulary at VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #12: Vocabulary Relay

Print out words on one set of cards (copy this set a few times) and definitions, context, or sentences in which they could be used (fill-in-the-blank) on another set (just one set).

Jumble up the words in a pile in the middle of the floor, and jumble up the definitions, context, and sentences to keep with you. Break students into teams of five-ish.

Call out the definition/context/sentence and give students some think time (8 – 10 seconds) to talk about what word it might be.

After the discussion time, call out “Word!” One member from each team runs to the center and tries to find the word in the pile.

I like having multiple sets of the words so more than one team can get it.

Check to make sure they’re correct, and then discuss it briefly before the next round.

Note: I got this idea from another teacher’s site, but I cannot for the life of me remember where. I have searched Google for it, and can’t find it. A small prize to the person who can figure out the originator of the idea!

I’ve written quite a bit about it here, but I’ve written more (and have lots of pictures of it in play) at VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #13: Vocabulary Category Relay 

This is a different relay activity than the one above, even though the names are so similar.

In this version, teams of students race to fill in words responsive to a category that start with the letters of the alphabet in order.

This can be done individually, in groups, or even as a whole class. It’s also a good one for both digital and in-person instruction.

When I wrote about it on VocabularyLuau , I shared these score sheets for digital use, as well as printable versions.

vocabulary notebook activities

IDEA #13: Comic Strip Word Activity 

I got the idea for using comic strips from This Reading Mama .

In some ways, it’s really a modified Frayer model. 

I loved it so much that I started making them like crazy. It turns out that they let me get a clear glimpse into how well the students had mastered the word. 

comic strip of frog with speech bubbles

I have an entire article about this, filled with loads of ideas and resources at VocabularyLuau .

You can check out that article here (or click the image below).

sample comic strip vocabulary scene with link to comic strip vocabulary on VocabularyLuau.com

IDEA #14: Paper Plate Vocab

I love this inexpensive matching game  from Finding Joy in Fifth Grade , and I think students could create it themselves.

Paper Plate Vocabulary

IDEA #15: Heads Up Vocabulary Game

Students hold a word on a card in front of their foreheads. The students don’t know what words they have.

Students ask each other a series of questions to determine the meaning of their word. Or, students can give students clues to the person with the word to help that person guess the word.

This is a review activity, and it’s not for initial instruction.

It’s such a favorite that I wrote a very comprehensive article about it on VocabularyLuau . There’s even a hack for printing on Post-it notes!

IDEA #16: Word Sneak

Word Sneak is a game invented by Jimmy Fallon that he plays with guests on the Tonight Show.

In the game, Jimmy and the guest each get a stack of cards with words on them that they have to work into the conversation naturally (without sounding forced or stilted).

It’s hysterical to watch and fun to play.

It’s also a great way to learn different ways to approach a word.

It’s so much fun that when I wrote the article about in on VocabularyLuau , I also included a Tonight Show backdrop you can use in class to give it an even more “real” feel.

IDEA #17: Frayer Model

The Frayer Model is an oldie-but-goodie vocab activity model in which student work in multiple ways in a specifically laid out graphic organizer to engage with words.

frayer model graphic organizer with various shapes

This is such a must-know that I wrote a (very lengthy and detailed) plan for how to use it at VocabularyLuau .

It includes downloads and printables and digital versions, as well as exactly how (and why) to use this strategy.

If you are not familiar with it, please do yourself a solid and read more .

IDEA #18: Tweet

Have students create a “tweet” that a word would send out or with the word in the tweet in context.

You can use a tool like PrankmeNot or Siminator  to make it look real.

This strategy is so fun and so useful!

I’ve written about five different ways to do this (with examples) on VocabularyLuau , and I even have this free template for you there:

vocabulary notebook activities

IDEA #19: Brain Power Words

This is a strong academic vocabulary activity that takes a little bit of time, but would really help get the words past the superficial level of understanding.

  • Ask small groups of students to preview sections of a text and identify difficult words.
  • For long chapters, assign different sections to different groups.
  • Students place a Post-it next to the words in the text they identify as potentially difficult.
  • Clues of substitution: A known word would make sense in the context and is probably a good definition.
  • Clues of definition: The word is defined in the text (many textbooks do this).
  • Clues of opposition: Words “not, unlike” etc. are excellent clues to what a word is not and thus help define the words.
  • After the Brain Power Words list is identified and definitions sought, the students check their work with the teacher.

This strategy is from Becky McTague and Margaret Richek (it’s in the book Reading Success for Struggling Adolescent Learners  by Susan Lenski and Jill Lewis).

IDEA #20: The Concept Cube

A concept cube is a  pattern that is printed on paper or cardstock, cut out, folded, and taped into a three-dimensional cube.

Students write, type, or draw on the pattern prior to assembling the cube, and then  they “play” with the cube to explore concepts.

Depending upon the way you choose to use it, they can be similar to a three-dimensional  Frayer model .

printed out concept cubes on colored paper

You can print out a blank cube and have students print the responses below, or complete it online and then print it out.

Before folding, students write clearly in each square following the directions below.

Each student is given one challenging vocabulary word from a recent reading and asked to:

  • Write the assigned vocabulary word in one square.
  • Write a synonym (word or phrase) in another square.
  • Write an antonym (word or phrase) in another square.
  • Write a category or categories it could belong to.
  • Write the essential characteristics of the concept of this word.
  • Give one example.

Cut, fold, and tape the cube.

Roll the cube and read what comes up on the “top”; the student must tell the relationship of that word or phrase to the original word.

After students know their own cube without any errors, they exchange with a peer.

You can get more ideas and details, as well as a free printable, at VocabularyLuau .

IDEA #21: Phone a Friend

Search TeacherspayTeachers or Teachers Notebook for vocabulary activities you can use or adapt.

The beauty of this is that you can search by grade level and subject, so you can focus on what you’re studying.

A caveat to this is that if you create something grade level or content specific, you can share it with other teachers, too.

The Importance of a Variety of Activities

You want to have a variety of activities so that vocabulary instruction doesn’t become routine or boring.

Keeping it fresh with lots of different ways of learning will help students (and the teacher) avoid getting burned out or tired of working with vocabulary.

There’s been so much interest in this that I created an entire website just for vocab ideas called VocabularyLuau .

These 21 activities for teaching vocabulary are just a start. I’d love to know your ideas!

The Vocabulary Series

This post is Part 3 of a four-part series on teaching vocabulary. If you would like to check out the rest of the series, visit the posts below

  • Teaching Vocabulary: The books
  • Theories & Techniques that work (and don’t)
  • 21 Activities for Teaching Vocabulary (this one)
  • Ideas for English Language Learners

There’s even a great book for teaching vocabulary!

These ideas work for all vocabulary words.

If your students need to learn vocabulary words and terms that are specific to your content (words like acute angle or latitude or simile or biome ), have I got a book for you!

You know how I know it’s great? I wrote it! I wrote it for teachers just like you from the method I created in my own class with my own students and tested over and over.

cover of concept capsules book by Lisa Van Gemert

You can learn more about it by clicking on the picture of it, or you can read more and see loads of examples here .

If you already know you want it, you can grab a paperback version on Amazon .

Or, if you want a digital copy, you can use the coupon code GIFTEDGURU for 20% off you can…

Do You Like Great Ideas?

If so, I share them in my email o’ goodness that goes out about once a month to thousands of people just like you.

You can sign up here (it’s free).

Note: This content uses referral links. Read my disclosure policy (it’s fascinating) for more info.

  • Read more about: Excellent Teaching

You might also like...

vocabulary notebook activities

15 Fabulous Picture Books about Family

vocabulary notebook activities

What are the Depth and Complexity Icons?

vocabulary notebook activities

Using Haiku Poetry in the Classroom

vocabulary notebook activities

Browse the Blog

Important links, free classroom coupons.

These super fun, editable student coupons let you recognize students with dozens of little (free) ideas for things they love.

© Gifted Guru

vocabulary notebook activities

Teacher's Workstation

A collection of teaching resources by elementary ali.

vocabulary notebook activities

The Big List of Engaging Vocabulary Activities for Science (Interactive Science Series)

Big List of Vocabulary Activities

Vocabulary is essential in learning new things. The more vocabulary a student knows, the more they can assimilate new information. You have probably noticed a few words that are repeated quite often when reading through content area standards. Name, identify, describe, and terms are all words that indicate a student will be using vocabulary to demonstrate understanding of that concept. Vocabulary is an important aspect to schema or background knowledge.

There are four types of vocabulary practice that I have found to help students commit vocabulary to memory and use it correctly:

In Context – Using vocabulary in context is the best way to learn the definition, correct usage, and real life application of each vocabulary word. This can be utilized by having students use context clues to define the words from their reading. You can assign words for students to locate everywhere the words are used in a text. And most importantly, you can assign words for students to find used in hands-on learning. They can report on how they used each word in their lab. More specific ideas are found in the bist below.

Writing – I have read several articles lately explaining that hand-written notes are more effective at helping people remember information. I know that throughout college, I would remember just about anything that I wrote out while I was studying. So, my studying sessions involved me rewriting  everything that I had learned. I am not suggesting plain ole boring writing out everything for vocabulary practice in the classroom because its not fun or engaging. However, there are some ways we can change up presenting hand-written vocabulary practice to make it fun and engaging.

Movement – Just like with writing, study after study shows the benefits of movement in the learning environment. I have taught 8th grade Advanced Science, 7th grade Science, 5th grade (ELA, Science, & Social Studies), and pre-k. No matter what the age, turning a lesson into a move around the room activity or a game makes engagement skyrocket. And engagement equals more learning! I have some fun ways in the list that incorporate movement.

Games – Games are fun and boost engagement levels. But, even more amazing than simply raising engagement, I have seen kids learn incredible amounts of information without even knowing that they are learning! I love when I can sneak learning into a game. Its a win for everyone.

Creative Output – I love this one the most because it incorporates the student output of writing (or drawing or designing) with the fun level of movement and games. Creative output activities are a fun way to sneak in some serious critical thinking!

Now let’s get to the good stuff!

My BIG List of Vocabulary Activities for Science (or any content area)

1.Word Wall Cards – Posted around the room by category or alphabetical as a reminder or reference, and a tool for some fun games.

2.Word Wall Builder Chart  – Guide students through building a knowledge of their vocabulary words using prior knowledge, context clues, and real life experiences.

3.Write the Room – Send students around the room, or word wall, looking for each hint in their chart. Use your word wall or hide words around the room.

4.Writing with Key Terms – Add vocabulary from the lesson and have students write an informational text, summary, or story using the words.

5.Vocab Boxes – Students can complete the boxes to demonstrate understanding of the words.

6.I Have…Who Has?

7.Science Says – Game played like Simon Says using content words and actions to remember what the words mean.

Slide14

8.Vocab Practice Page

9.Vocab Matching Cards

10.Memory Game with Vocab Matching Cards

11.Go Fish with Vocab Matching Cards

12. Word Art

word art.png

13.Movie Poster

14.Vocab Roll & Review

15.Vocab Spin & Review

vocab spin and review

16.Vocab Bingo

17.Vocab Comic Strips

18.Spin-A-Hint Guessing Game

vocab spin guess game.png

19.Vocab Thumb Ball – Using a wet erase marker, write hints for your vocabulary words (definitions or illustrations) all over a beach ball. Throw the ball around the room and when someone catches it, they have to define the word that is described under their right thumb.

20.Vocab Tumbling Tower – Paint then ends of blocks from a tumbling tower game with dry erase or chalkboard paint. Write vocab words on the end of the blocks for each game. To pull a block out of the stack , students must define the word.

21.Vocab Treasure Hunt – Spread vocab word coins around the room so students can take turns (or racing in two groups) picking up coins. They have to define the word to keep the coin.

22.Vocab Choice Board

23.Crossword Puzzle (with definition or illustration as hints)

24.Doodle Notes

vocab doodle notes

25.Word Sorter Pockets

26.Quick Draw (Dry Erase Game) – Print and Laminate the board for multiple uses. Students will use dry erase markers to write the word you define. Say “show me what you know!” and students will hold up their board for you to see who knows the word.

27.Character Quote Clouds (use the word)

28.Board Game (roll and define to move)

vocabulary land board game

29.Vocab Song Creation

30.Vocab Puzzles

31.Vocab Flower

32.Stoplight Vocab Self Assessment – use small sticky notes with the vocabulary words and move them to green as they are learned. Laminate the stoplight and use dry erase marker for the words.

vocab assessment light.png

33.Picture Word Wall – Type or write the words on the cards and add an image, print, and post on your classroom word wall.

34.Draw the Room – Send students around the room to find and draw the correct image for each hint on their paper. Use your word wall or hide picture word wall cards around the room.

35.Vocab Dominoes

vocabulary dominoes.png

36.Vocab Mini Books – Works for Interactive Notebook or as stand alone mini books.

37.Vocab Review Sort Pocket Folders – Works on their own, but can be glued into a notebook.

38.Anchor Chart with Labeled Parts – (ie: parts of an insect) Use the vocabulary words to label the picture. Make the picture something that encompassed all the grouped vocabulary words.

39.Word Search with definition or picture as hint.

40.Act It Out! Guessing Game

41.Interactive Read and Act – (Act out Word when you read it in a text!) Printable reference chart template will help students plan their actions and remember what to look for.

42.Word Poem (Haiku)

43.Classifying with Vocab Words – have students sort a selection of objects or observations between two or three vocabulary words. This gives a hands-on approach to applying vocabulary words to what they are learning. (i.e. sorting Living/Nonliving or Reflection/Refraction)

vocab word sort.png

44.Vocab Strips – Works great for an exit slip or homework activity!

45.Letter Tile Game – played like a simple version of Scrabble.

47.Mnemonic

48.Vocab Reader

49.All About the Word – Chart

50.Vocab-oo Game – (Played similar Taboo)

51.Vocab Character (Personify the Word) – Basher Books are great for a read aloud that will help with this activity! They are a must have on my bookshelves, and they are available in all sorts of subjects.

Force and Motion Vocabulary

I hope having this list helps you plan and prep without having to search for ideas!

Don’t miss out on the FREEBIES below!

Want some fun freebie templates from this list? Click the image below!

Science Vocabulary Template Toolkit Freebie

In case you want all 55 templates from the 51 activities on my list, I put them together in a really BIG Bundle of editable templates. Click the image below to grab them!

Slide1

Share this:

2 thoughts on “ the big list of engaging vocabulary activities for science (interactive science series) ”.

' src=

This is pure gold!

' src=

Glad you like it!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from teacher's workstation.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Join the VIP Teacher Club!

Glitter in Third

A Teaching Blog by Kelly Chapman

Building Vocabulary Activities in A 3rd Grade Classroom

January 14, 2021 By Kelly Chapman

Building Vocabulary Activities

vocabulary notebook activities

Grappling with building vocabulary activities? We focus on helping our students make inferences, predictions, and how to foreshadow. We ask them to read fiction and non-fiction.  We teach phonics, fluency, and comprehension like our lives depend on it. All of this sounds great (and really, it is!), but too many times we forget the simple stuff – actually building vocabulary.

I have always found the vocabulary to be super interesting. I’ve read studies that connect building vocabulary to improved test scores and overall intelligence. I’ve even seen some that go as far as concluding that a larger vocabulary leads to more success in life – not sure if I’m totally convinced of that yet. 🙂

In the grand scheme of things, I think it’s safe to say that we have become accustomed to teaching reading before teaching vocabulary. I really believe in order to help our students become better readers, we MUST help them build vocabulary along the way!

I have a few tips and resources I would love to share with you to help make this daunting task a little easier. Resources that include working with and learning how to dissect root words, prefixes, and suffixes – all skills involved with building vocabulary activities!

Here we go!

Activities to build vocabulary

Google classroom roots, prefixes, & suffixes.

vocabulary notebook activities

One of the very first steps to building vocabulary is to dissect words .

Of course we first have to teach what roots, prefixes, and suffixes actually are (if you don’t they may think you’re creating your own language!), but just getting students to recognize them in words and throughout their reading is a huge step !

This Google Classroom resource is super for practicing identifying those morphemes !

It offers definition practice of roots, prefixes, and suffixes , dictionary research, sorting words that either have a prefix or suffix , as well as a website to help find the meaning of those roots, prefixes, and suffixes they find!

I’ve also included short reading passages throughout the Google Slides that will allow your students to practice identifying all of those morphemes while reading. I love this part , especially, because it really proves to students just how much we come across them in our daily lives and how learning more about them will improve their comprehension!

Click here to check it out!

Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes Interactive Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

If you have a preference for paper over digital , I still have you covered!

Similar to the Google Classroom option, this interactive notebook also focuses on identifying roots, prefixes, and suffixes by sorting given words .

It really focuses on understanding the meaning of the roots, prefixes, and suffixes which is essential to building vocabulary. 

Are you one of those teachers who fall into the category of needing an idea for how to incorporate dictionary use ? Seriously, it can be tough to find an activity that keeps 3rd graders engaged with a dictionary . This resource has that pesky Common Core standard covered! I have included a labeling activity that includes labeling the parts of a dictionary page – definition, entry word, guide word, part of speech, and also pronunciation!

building vocabulary activities

If you prefer digital over paper, this resource can still be converted to an interactive version that students can complete on any device. The content is different from the Google Classroom resource if you’d love to have both options!

You can read more about this product here .

Haven’t tried out a Glitter in Third Google Slides product before for reading ?

I have some FREE digital graphic organizers for you .

Fill out the information below to get them sent to your inbox!

Morphology Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

I cannot be more excited to share this resource than what I am for building vocabulary!

This morphology notebook contains 13 weeks of materials – 4 activities and 1 assessment each week.

There are 26 different morphemes addressed as well as a schedule and instructions throughout the week for how to implement each activity.

This resource is perfect for any individual work time for your students.

They’ll get to practice more dictionary use, illustration examples to help build deeper connections with root words, prefixes , and suffixes , and more sorting opportunities to help with identification .

building vocabulary activities

13 weeks of practice is for sure going to build vocabulary! 🙂

Psst – if you need more dictionary activities , make sure to read the post here.

Check it out here!

You can read even more about this activity in a previous blog post- click here to read.

Using Context Clues to Dissect Words

The more and more you allow your students time to practice identifying roots, prefixes, and suffixes, the more and more they will recognize, understand, and build vocabulary.

One of the simplest ways you can do this is by really helping your students focus on using context clues while reading .

If a student comes across a word they don’t recognize, take them through a process of dissecting the word.

Every process is going to look different in each classroom , but it may be helpful to create a visual for students to utilize when they get “stuck” on a word .

Here’s an example of some questions/prompts to encourage them with:

  • Have you gone back and reread?
  • Does it have a root? Prefix? Or suffix?
  • If yes, what does that root, prefix, or suffix mean?
  • Explain what is happening in the paragraph.
  • Make a hypothesis for what you think the word means.

Word Replacement Writing

vocabulary notebook activities

Another simple way to build vocabulary is to incorporate synonyms and antonyms .

A fun activity for doing this is word replacement .

You can use any topic you’d like to for your kids to write about.

A fun one to start with could be to have your students write about their least favorite chore to do and why they don’t like doing it.

You’ll find kids are pretty passionate about writing about chores they despise!

After they’ve finished their writing, have them go back and underline all of the descriptive words they used about their chore. For example – time-consuming, terrible, smelly, boring, etc. Once they have those identified, use a thesaurus to find antonyms for those descriptive words and replace them.

A sentence that may have read, “Taking out the trash is bad.” Now may read, “Taking out the trash is marvelous.” You can always encourage your students to read their paragraphs after finishing. I can imagine you’ll get some giggles, but little do they know they’re building vocabulary along the way. 🙂

Partner Up with building vocabulary activities

vocabulary notebook activities

2 minds are greater than 1 – especially when it comes to vocabulary! Give students a short passage to read and have each student read through it once individually. I personally love using ReadWorks to find passages (it is free with a teacher email!).

While doing so, have them write down or underline any challenging words they find along the way.

Once they’re finished reading, encourage them to discuss with their partners what words they recorded and have them go through that process that I mentioned on how to dissect words.

I love this activity because it’s so easy to differentiate. Not every pair needs the same passage. Some can be more challenging or simple! Peer collaboration is an amazing way to build vocabulary, as well as speaking and listening skills.

What did you think about these building vocabulary activities?

I can’t wait for you to try out any or all of these activities! Building vocabulary is something I am so passionate about and know that it will make your students even greater readers! What is your favorite way to help your students build vocabulary?

Want a reading FREEBIE?

strategies improve reading comprehension

Make sure to sign up below to get a FREE reading comprehension digital mystery pixel sent right to your inbox!

Pin for later

vocabulary notebook activities

glitterinthird

Glitter in Third

Cookie Notice

Privacy overview.

vocabulary notebook activities

Vocabulicious

Vocabulicious

A blog for teachers to learn best practices on how to teach vocabulary to their students.

How Vocabulary Interactive Notebooks are Guaranteed to Improve Students’ Vocabulary

What are vocabulary notebooks? and how they are guaranteed to improve students' vocabulary.

We all know that vocabulary acquisition is one of the top predictors for success with reading comprehension. Setting students up with a vocabulary interactive notebook or a vocabulary journal can be an easy way to help them keep track of the words they’ve learned all year. All it takes is 10 minutes a day! In this post, I share various vocabulary notebook ideas for upper elementary that are a low investment, but have a high success rate. No matter what time of year it is, every day is a good day for word learning 🙂!

Research Behind Vocabulary Notebooks

Over the past few years in my 4th grade classroom, I’ve taken a lot of time to research ways to help my students keep better records of new words they learn throughout the year. I’m always looking for ways to make our classroom Word Wall more personalized. It is not realistic to ask kids to look up every single word they don’t know within a chapter book. This is too time consuming and disrupts the flow of the story.

In the past, I had introduced new vocabulary words and had students record their notes on a single worksheet. However, the loose paper would consistently get lost or sent home at the end of the week. When they needed to recall the definition of a past word of the week, they didn’t have a way to go back to their notes.

Vocabulary Journals Make Words Stick!

So, I went to the experts for advice. What tips were they suggesting to get vocabulary words to stick? It’s probably no surprise to hear that they were suggesting vocabulary notebooks. A place where students can organize their notes, add graphic organizers, pictures and even store index cards.

Plus, take it a step further and use these vocabulary journals to spark discussions about new words they’ve learned (🤯).

How didn’t I think of this years ago?

I decided to use these vocabulary interactive notebooks both for words learned in school AND to have students keep track of challenging words they come across in their own reading on a personal word wall.

Quote from book 101 Strategies to Make Academic Vocabulary Stick about vocabulary notebooks being a great classroom tool.

What is an Interactive Vocabulary Notebook?

Vocabulary notebook samples that show pages where students can take notes on new words they've learned.

An interactive notebook used for vocabulary is a student-centered, personalized notebook for recording, defining and connecting with words.

Interactive notebooks usually include pages that flip open and out, almost like a “pop-up” book. This engagement with the notebook page adds a great tactile element for students.

Students quickly take ownership over these notebooks because they build them from the ground up. Starting with a fresh notebook and quickly filling it with new words they’ve learned and collected, stories they’ve made up and stories they’re dying to tell the world. Plus, the artists in your room will have plenty of chances to represent each word through drawing!

⭐️ Having a set routine in your classroom that has students digging deeper into word meaning guarantees multiple exposures to the same word. Friends, it’s all about the quality of word knowledge, not quantity of words you cover in a year. We want kiddos to remember the words we’ve taught.

The interactive notebook template that I use has students digging into the same word at least 3-4 times. It’s time to ditch the “Assign, Define & Test” way of teaching vocabulary and get kids engaged in writing and playing with words each and every day.

Ditch the old way of teaching vocabulary and focus on providing students with multiple exposures to each focus word. Photo of notebook example included.

Why Use Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks?

An interactive notebook allows students to organize information and deeply learn the meaning(s) of each word. These notebooks provide students with outlined pages expecting them to use webs, drawings, stories, and personal connections when writing about each vocabulary word. Alongside your classroom word wall , these notebooks are great learning tools!

Showing how students can organize their notes about new vocabulary words on a personal word wall page in their notebook.

👀 Interactive notebooks can be modified for any grade level and accommodate multiple learning styles all in one. From visual learners who benefit from charts and graphic organizers to kinesthetic learners who need a hands-on approach.

⭐️ Plus, if you implement them at the beginning of the school year, students are building a portfolio that allows you to track their word learning and writing over time.

When do Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks fit into the school day?

Just like everything in your classroom, building a routine themed around these vocabulary interactive notebooks is key. Once you do that, students can complete each daily task in 10 minutes or less.

Depending on your routine, you can squeeze this work in:

  • First thing in the morning (bell work)
  • During word study time
  • As an extension of your read aloud or writing block
  • Or my personal favorite during morning meeting

Vocabulary notebook templates to help students keep track of words they're learning.

Hear me out here – I choose 1 word per week as our focus word. I introduce it during Morning Meeting on Monday morning. Then, each of the following days, students complete their vocabulary notebook page as bell work. Then, they bring their notebook to morning meeting, and we spend 5 minutes discussing the vocabulary activity of the day. Don’t overthink this – 10 minutes a day, and in no time, kids will have a whole new repertoire of vocabulary words in their back pocket (or notebook 😉).

How can you get started with Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks?

All you need is a spiral notebook for each student. If you already use a notebook for spelling, think about making it a Word Study notebook and using half for vocabulary.

You can create your own template to reuse all year, or save yourself time and use this tried and true version complete with 2 notebook templates, a personal word wall section and word cards!

All you need for a vocabulary notebook is a spiral notebook, scissors and glue.

Time Management Teacher Tip

I’m not going to lie, getting interactive notebooks set up for 20+ students in your classroom can be a PAIN. One way to save yourself time and many headaches is to:

Picture showing student gluing vocabulary notebook template pages into spiral notebooks.

  • Choose your notebook template ahead of time and use that same one for several months.
  • Make “Notebook Fillers” a classroom job! Choose students who are organized and good cutters/gluers.
  • Teach these students who to cut out the notebook template and glue it into 1 notebook
  • Have them do this for ALL notebooks in the whole class. Ask them to glue 5+ templates into EACH notebook, so you only have to do this about once a month!

Classroom Management Teacher Tip

Once you get into a good vocabulary routine, students will be writing in these bad boys almost every day. So, make sure they’re stored in a handy place. No need to have kiddos digging around in their backpacks or cubbies for their notebooks.

Have a designated spot to house vocabulary notebooks to avoid chaos.

I choose not to send these notebook home in fear of them getting forgotten. However, if you really want to lean into the “word learning is everywhere” mentality, allow students to bring these notebooks home and collect words outside of school!

Student writing in her vocabulary notebook.

Digital Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks

Have no fear, I have you techie word lovers covered too 😉! Save some trees and make word learning digital with this downloadable, editable Google Slide Interactive Notebook .

✏️ Head over to my Digital Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks post to learn more!

In closing, vocabulary interactive notebooks are the perfect way to get vocabulary words to stick, organize word record keeping and track progress across the year. If you have created or found other beneficial interactive notebook resources, please share any ideas, tips and tricks on the comments of this post!

As always, it’s been a pleasure. Until next time, make today meaningful, friends 💕.

🎥 Learn more about my Interactive Vocabulary Notebook Template that includes 2 template options:

Learn more about Interactive Notebooks in these related posts:

  • 7 Reasons to Use Interactive Notebooks by Minds in Bloom
  • Interactive Notebooks: No Special Hardware Required by Edutopia
  • What are Interactive Notebooks? by Hippo Hooray for Second Grade

4 thoughts on “ How Vocabulary Interactive Notebooks are Guaranteed to Improve Students’ Vocabulary ”

Thanks for sharing, Liz! There are so many great ideas in this post and you have shared so many resources to make it super easy to get started on ramping up vocabulary instruction.

  • Pingback: Digital and Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks – Vocabulicious
  • Pingback: What is a Word Web? and Why it’s a Brilliant Way to Teach Vocabulary – Vocabulicious
  • Pingback: Strategies to Help Students Make Word Meaning in the Upper Grades | Annotated ELA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Out of this World Literacy

Literacy Resources from Jen Bengel

August 28, 2018

Inside Vocabulary Notebooks

Let me show you the inside of a vocabulary notebook.

vocabulary notebook activities

Why Vocabulary Notebooks Rock!

  • Keep all the learning in one spot throughout the year.
  • Keep a collection of words, like a personal word wall.
  • Perfect to use as a reference for other subjects like writing.
  • Awesome for reflecting on new learning and retaining new words.
  • A place to go deeper with vocabulary words, make connections to other words, bring them into your own life.

What You Need:

  • One spiral notebook for every student.
  • Extra durable post-it tabs (3 per student)
  • A fine marker to write with

Image

The Tabs in a Notebook: **use front and back pages of the notebook

  • My Words (35 pages)
  • Connections (65 pages)
  • In My Life (40 pages)

Image

I hope you can enjoy vocabulary notebooks with your students as much as I love them!

Happy teaching! Jen

Follow me on Facebook Join me on Instagram  {@jenbengel5} See what's new on Pinterest To see more literacy support visit jenbengel.com

Related Posts

The Steps in a Guided Reading Lesson

Want more like this post?

Subscribe and receive exclusive news, freebies, and deals.

Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good. https://www.binance.info/zh-CN/join?ref=GJY4VW8W

Follow on Facebook

Follow on pinterest.

vocabulary notebook activities

Follow on Instagram

Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.

Session expired

Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.

  • Grades 6-12
  • School Leaders

☘️ St. Patrick's Day Activities: Books, art ideas, experiments, and more!

How To Get Started With Interactive Notebooks (Plus 25 Terrific Examples)

It’s so much more than a place to take notes during class.

Collage of Interactive Notebook Ideas

In the last few years, interactive notebooks (INBs) have become incredibly popular in all sorts of classrooms. If you’re new to the concept, or just unsure of where to start, here’s what you need to bring this learning tool to your students. And be sure to check out all the awesome interactive notebook examples we found to give you some inspiration.

What is an interactive notebook?

Side by side photos showing an empty composition book and one with glued in pages to make an interactive notebook. Text reads Whoa! Now that's a notebook!

Source: Getting Nerdy

Think of it as an all-in-one resource for students on any given subject. Rather than just using the notebook to take notes during class, kids add to them with hands-on activities, drawings, reference pages, and so much more. It combines the best of worksheets, reference materials, and handwritten notes all in one place. By the end, an interactive notebook is so full that it often winds up being twice the size. Students have something meaningful to review before a test or look back on to reflect on their learning.

Interactive notebooks involve “teacher input” items, such as blank templates, images to color or copy, and sorting activities to cut and paste. It’s important that each teacher input item also involves student output: something to complete, color, fill in, illustrate, etc. That’s what makes the notebook interactive.

Interactive Notebook Basics

Science notebooks stored in a green plastic bin

Source: Notebook Storage at Maniacs in the Middle

First, decide what type of notebook your students should use. Many teachers recommend composition-style over spiral-bound, since those wire spirals tend to get pretty bent out of shape as the year goes on. Plus, composition notebooks are easy to store in a bin without the wires getting tangled up. In primary grades, plan for multiple notebooks, one per subject.

Notebook page reading: Dot, Dot, Not a Lot and I heart Tap N Glue Caps with glue bottle

Source: Glue Caps at the Science Penguin

Then, stock up on glue! Kids will be adding additional elements to many of the pages, and you need a way to fasten them in that dries quickly and is easy to use. For younger kids, offer hands-on help at the beginning so they can learn to apply the glue only where needed (you don’t want those pages getting stuck together!). Many teachers prefer glue sticks, but Tap ‘N Glue caps or a glue sponge can work well too.

Simple fill-in-the-blank table of contents pasted into an interactive notebook

Source: Teaching Statistics

No matter what your notebook ultimately contains, be sure to include an easy way to navigate it. Some teachers like a table of contents at the beginning, with the ability for students to fill in new sections as they go. (Pro tip: Don’t try to keep everyone on the same page—it’s just too easy for a student to make a mistake. Instead, let kids number their own pages and fill in their own TOCs.)

Interactive Notebook showing colorful organizational tabs

Source: Teaching Talking

Other teachers prefer to use a tab system instead, so they don’t need to worry about page numbers at all. This works well for notebooks that aren’t overly long or complicated. You can also combine a TOC with tabs, to make things even easier for students.

Interactive Notebook Examples

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of getting started with this tool, don’t worry! So many other teachers use and love them, and they’re happy to share their ideas for you to try. Take a look at teacher blogs or Teachers Pay Teachers, where you’ll find entire notebook templates ready for your own classroom. Here are some examples to get you started.

Math Interactive Notebooks

Spiral bound notebook with tabs and a printed cover reading My Math Notebook

Start with a colorful cover, including a place for students to mark their name. You can create your own, buy a template online, or have kids decorate theirs any way they like.

Learn more: Math Notebook Cover at Create Teach Share

Student placing an X-Y axis chart sticker into their math notebook

Not into glue? Printable sticker paper for the win! These free templates are especially cool, since they fit standard label pages and don’t require any cutting either.

Learn more: Math Giraffe

Math interactive notebook page showing a pocket to hold paper math tools

A pocket for reference sheets and other tools is so clever! Add to this page as you provide new tools for students to use in class and at home.

Learn more: Tool Pocket at Create Teach Share

Notebook page with flip reference guide to mathematic properties pasted onto a page

Flip books are really helpful. Students can use them like flash cards to review, or simply use them for reference. We love that this one provides space for examples along with a definition.

Learn more: For Love of Learning

Page from math interactive notebook about least common multiples, with a large yellow letter M pasted in

Color is huge when it comes to interactive notebooks. Whether you cut out and paste in an element or have kids draw and color it in, a page like this really helps drive the point home.

Learn more: Dandelions and Dragonflies

Science Interactive Notebooks

Personalized science notebook cover for a student named Maddie, with printed pictures of science-related images

Personalizing notebook covers makes an engaging first-day-of-school project and gives kids a real sense of ownership over their learning.

Learn more: The Science Duo

Science notebook with a page for learning to read and annotate scientific texts

At the beginning of the year, show students how to use their notebooks, including how to read and highlight texts. Have them choose symbols or colors to highlight key info, and encourage them to take notes in the margins.

Learn more: Scientific Texts at Maniacs in the Middle

A page of sentence stems in an interactive science notebook

A sentence stem page is perfect for use during class discussions or when students are asked to write a reflection on their learning. This is one page they can refer to again and again, for any activity.

Learn more: Sentence Stems at the Science Penguin

Student flipping up part of a diagram of animal adaptations

Coloring is a fun activity at any age, so let students get a little creative! They’ll put their own unique spin on their notebooks, while making the learning more meaningful.

Learn more: Teacher’s Workstation

Sorting pockets for different types of rocks in an interactive science notebook

Sorting activities are fun in class and make a terrific review activity at home. When you can, try pairing paper sorts with hands-on real-life examples.

Learn more: Student Savvy

Social Studies Interactive Notebooks

Notebook page with flippable sections showing geographical features like lake and island

Adding images to vocabulary words is an ideal way to help students commit them to memory. It’s even more interactive if you encourage students to draw their own pictures on the flip cards.

Learn more: Geographic Terms at Ashleigh’s Education Journey

Sorting activity with events surrounding Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt

Sorting activities like this are also perfect for timelines. Have students write the correct dates on the back of each, then mix them up and try to lay them out in the correct order.

Learn more: Kayse Morris

Interactive notebook page showing the branches of the government

Flip pages are popular replacements for flash cards, making pre-test review easier. This one takes a complex subject and breaks it down into parts that are easy to understand.

Learn more: Appletastic Learning

Handwritten page in a notebook with illustrations of various geographical terms

Completely handwritten pages are totally fine in interactive notebooks! In fact, when kids draw their own images, they make a deeper connection to the text.

Learn more: The Middle School Mouth

Circle chart showing how different parts of the government interact

When you’re creating charts, you can either give students a template to fill in or have them draw their own. Either way, it’s important that they be the ones to write in the information.

Learn more: Government Chart at Ashleigh’s Education Journey

Language Arts Interactive Notebooks

Interactive notebook with a folding page for book summary

Folding templates like this help compress a lot of info into one notebook page. Plus, you can use them over and over again for different reading passages.

Learn more: Musings From the Middle School

Pages from a notebook showing information on adverbs

Adding standards to your notebook sections helps ensure you cover all the required learning. It also shows students why these activities are important.

Learn more: Sweet Tooth Teaching

Page from an interactive notebook about the differences between their, there, and they're

The more skills students use on each page, the better. This one involves tracing, coloring, cutting, and lots of writing in the examples underneath each flap.

Learn more: That Teaching Spark

Two pages of a notebook with book covers and notes to form a reading timeline

This is such a fun way to keep track of independent reading! Print the cover of the book and paste it in, then add a few notes about each book.

Learn more: The Inspired Classroom

Three progressively smaller rectangles in different colors on a notebook page

Shrinking notes help students drill down to the main idea of a text. Start with a summary that fills the largest box. Then, distill that down to fit in the smaller box. Finally, write one sentence or even just a few words to fill the smallest box.

Learn more: My Adventures Teaching Junior High English

How do you use interactive notebooks with your students? Come share your thoughts in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, graphic organizers 101: why and how to use them ..

An interactive notebook can be used with any subject. They collect information, resources, and learning aids all in one organized spot.

You Might Also Like

Poetry videos, online lesson plans, an teacher-approved sites for reading and writing poetry.

15 Best Poetry Websites for Kids, Teens, Teachers, and Classrooms

Verses of every kind, for every kind of poet! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

vocabulary notebook activities

10 Fun and Engaging Ideas to Teach Science Vocabulary

10 Ideas for Science Vocabulary

Do the science vocabulary words just seem to not “stick” with some of your students? This is common and can be addressed with a few different activities.  Here are 10 ways to bring a little more excitement and creativity to science vocabulary instruction.

1. Science Vocabulary Concept Mapping

Thinking about how terms are connected is much deeper than simply defining the terms.  You can do this easily by writing some terms on index cards.  In groups, students determine how the terms are connected then explain their reasons aloud or on paper.  They might also write on the arrows to show the connections.

Concept Map

2. Concept Building

Concept Building is a powerful strategy to help students become more comfortable with academic vocabulary. Record related nouns, verbs, and adjectives (or descriptive words and phrases) for any term

Concept Building is so effective that I include it in every Small Group Science lesson.

Read more : Small Group Science

Concept Building

3. Science Vocabulary Sorts

I’ve had hundreds of kids do hundreds of sorts. Why? It’s quick and effective.

I use sorts in notebooks, as part of small group, in stations, and in games.

Many of the notebook templates in the All in One Science Interactive Notebook include optional sorts to take your notes to the next level.

Nearly every small group lesson incorporates a sort and s orting relays are so much fun! 

Read more :   Notebook Templates

See it on TPT : Science Stations Units

See it on TpT :   Sorting Science Relays

Science Sorts

4. Scavenger Hunts

Students look for real world examples of seemingly abstract concepts and science vocabulary terms.

These scavenger hunts require no prep, just some space outdoors. Ask students to photograph and label what they find to share with you and the class.

Sign up for a free scavenger hunt: Free Resource Library Sign-up

Scavenger Hunts

5. Collaborative Anchor Charts

I was thinking about how many of our anchor charts are teacher-made.  Sure, we get student input, but what if we had a way to really include students in our anchor chart-making process?  Collaborative anchor charts are made by groups of students after completing a task.

To make a collaborative anchor chart for science vocabulary, 4 to 8 students work both together and individually under the teacher’s guidance to complete a task, talk about it, and write about it.

See more details : Collaborative Anchor Charts

vocabulary notebook activities

Some science words are just so abstract… rotate, refract, conduct, density.

For abstract terms, we need concrete models. They can be simple and made with common materials to really show what each word means. 

Science Models

7. Acrostics

Academic language in science is a must!  Acrostics are an excellent tool for students to practice their new science vocabulary.

Read more : Science Acrostics

Sign up for the free Acrostics pictured below : Free Resource Library

Science Acrostics

8. Vocabulary Squares

Draw vocabulary squares in notebooks or use printable notebook templates to record the definitions, illustrations, examples, and non-examples for important science terms.

Science Vocab Squares

9. Digital Vocab Lessons

Hello there, Google Forms, my friend! These lessons are designed to TEACH students science vocabulary. 

For a few key terms, students work their way through videos, graphic organizers, and text to learn the terms. Along the way, they answer 10 questions as they build their understanding.

These auto-grade so all you need to do is check the results to see which students may need more assistance.

See all 23 topics on TpT : Digital Vocabulary Lessons

Free Download :   Conservation

Digital Vocab Lesson

10. Picture Dictionary

Explicitly teaching 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade science content vocabulary just got simpler! Instead of looking for examples, images, and definitions on your own, the work is done for you! Use for word walls!

See the options on TpT : Picture Dictionaries

Science Picture Dictionary

Teaching Resources

vocabulary notebook activities

Sign up for the Free Resource Library

This is an exclusive library of 40+ science printables, labs, activities, and games for grades 3-6. Sign up and check your email for immediate access.

Science Word Wall for 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade

  • Read more about: 3rd Grade , 4th Grade , 5th Grade , Vocabulary

You might also like...

vocabulary notebook activities

How to Teach Food Chains for 2nd and 3rd Grade

vocabulary notebook activities

5th Grade Science STAAR: 3 Tips to Master Short Constructed Response (SCR)

Google Forms Science Vocabulary

Digital Science Vocabulary Lessons in Google Forms– You’ll love this!

7 thoughts on “10 fun and engaging ideas to teach science vocabulary”.

Great ideas…Thanks! Another idea for you…I had a terrific experience this year having my students develop haikus for vocab words related to cells. They were amazing!

You provided educators with many different resources to help students learn the crucial academic language that they will be assessed on. Not only did you include vocabulary activities, but you also provided ways for students to demonstrate their knowledge through demo/experiments. I really like all 10 of your examples on how to teach students vocabulary. Some science vocabulary terms are hard to comprehend/remember, and these different learning opportunities will help students with the vocabulary. When students understand the vocabulary, it is easier for them to use inquiry to develop experiments to learn more about the are being taught. It is not only helping them with science but it is also increasing students skills in literacy. Thank you for sharing.

I play “Key Word Bingo”. Each student gets a blank card then they write their vocabulary words in the boxes (one per box). The center is a free space. I then read the definitions and they mark the cards. The first three winners get a small token such as a pencil or eraser.

This is the first time I’ve visited your blog, and I love it! I’ve just subscribed via email – thank you for the fantastic suggestions, the parade is my favorite!

I love it. Some of these ideas would even work for my high school students. Thanks so much for sharing!

Awesome. I’m glad some of the ideas translate to other levels!

Such a bright idea.. Thanks for sharing.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Ari Mosquera

Hi, I'm Ari!

As a new teacher, I struggled to plan engaging, rigorous science lessons. Throughout my time teaching upper elementary and in my graduate studies, I discovered what worked well and developed science curriculum for busy teachers.  Now, teachers across the country use Science Penguin activities every single day in their classrooms!

Want access to The Science Penguin Free Resource Library?

This is an exclusive library of 40+ science printables, labs, activities, and games for grades 3-6! Enter your personal email so your resources don't get stuck in a district filter!

vocabulary notebook activities

Homeschool Giveaways

Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies

HOME INFO ADVERTISE

Learn about presidents and elections!

Learn how Homeschool Notebooking can ignite a love of learning in your kids!

Human Anatomy Notebook

Free Printable Vocabulary Journals for Students

By Jeannette Tuionetoa on August 17, 2021

Vocabulary journals make a great opportunity for your students to increase their word knowledge. Use these free printable vocabulary journals to help you jump-start a fun and focused vocabulary instruction for kids. Be sure to grab our free instant download at the bottom of this post. 

female student working on vocabualry work on a desk, with text overlay

What is a vocabulary journal?

When I was in public school, we received a list of the vocabulary words just like we received spelling words. That is how we learned new words and what a word means.

Today we have various tools to help our students increase their word bank without it being tedious or boring. Even for young learners, vocabulary terms can be introduced at the beginning of the week and reviewed at the end of the week.

A vocabulary journal is an intentional way for kids to have a place to keep track of the words that they are learning. They also can reference all the vocabulary words they have learned in the past. This is the kid-friendly version of course.

How to start a vocabulary journal

There are a few templates below that I have gathered for you to begin a vocabulary journal in your homeschool. You can either add the pages to a file folder, a notebook with prongs, or a spiral-bound notebook to keep the journal together.

Whatever form your students choose to keep the journal together, what really makes the vocabulary journal are the words, exercises, and activities in them.

How to use a vocabulary journal?

My kids have used vocabulary journals in various ways. I see some sources saying one thing and others saying another about how to use the journals, but we do both.

You can either assign vocabulary words to your kids, preferably in correspondence to the things they are learning n other homeschool subjects. Their new words can also be random, as well. Using this method,  important terms can be introduced as you see the need.

The other really effective way to use vocabulary journals is for students to find difficult words in their own reading, then write them into the journals. From there, students explore the meaning of the word, context words in the context of the text, and use it in varying activities. This way, kids can get used to using it for memory. Through this method, you can review student vocabulary they research ed on their very own.

Activities to Create a Vocabulary Journal

  • Kids can draw a picture of the word (younger students)
  • They can write a sentence of the word using their creative thinking skills. (The sentence can be silly but MUST depict its meaning.)
  • Make a list of synonyms and antonyms
  • Prompt your students to write a kid-friendly definition of the vocabulary words.
  • Add printable games and activities using vocabulary words.

Explore these resources below to help your students make purposeful and fun vocabulary journals to use with all vocabulary terms.

Free Vocabulary Journal Printables

Vocabulary Journal Printable – If your homeschool students are struggling to increase their vocabulary or find it challenging then this journal will help. Vocabulary journals can include a variety of activities to help.

Free Vocabulary Words Journal – Grab this vocabulary journal for your student’s vocab words. The journal will help students to enhance their reading skills, writing, and speaking skills.

Children’s Vocabulary Notebook – This notebooking journal for vocabulary words will help your students put their vocabulary notebook pages in alphabetical order. Add some A to Z dividers to help create the vocabulary notebook.

Vocabulary Journal for Students – This free vocabulary journal has spaces for synonyms, antonyms, and an image or picture. This journal printable is two pages to fit in any 3-ring binder.

Colorful Vocabulary Journal – Introduce new words to your students with this fun and vocabulary journal of all different colors. This free resource comes with a cover page and 3 multi-colored pages with two vocabulary terms on each page.

Printable Vocabulary Pages for Journals

Bible ABC Vocabulary Pages – Grab this long list of ABC Bible Vocabulary words to help build your family’s spiritual and Biblical vocabulary. Next to every new vocabulary word is a scripture reference. This vocabulary freebie resource will go great in your homeschool vocabulary journals. Hwoever, it also is a great scripture resource fo ryour students.

Vocabulary Notebook Pages – These vocab notebook pages are essential, graphic organizers to use alongside any vocabulary words or vocabulary roots unit. These vocabulary notebooking pages will work with any vocabulary program.

Wow, Wow! Vocabulary Word Sheet – Download a copy of this vocabulary sheet activity to add to your child’s vocab journal. Kids can use these sheets to independently apply the words they have learned from lists or reading assignments.

Interactive Vocabulary Notebook Templates – Check out these creative interactive vocab notebooks and vocab journal templates. Your students can even use their own words found in reading texts to use in the interactive free printables for their journals. Interactive notebooks help kids get engaged with their lessons and learning process.

Vocabuqlary Word Organizer Download for Journals – Your vocabulary instruction can be more meaningful with this graphic organizer freebie. Exploring different ways to explore vocabulary is key to help your kids enhance their word bank.

Vocabulary Journal Pages – Build on your student’s past vocabulary with new and robust word knowledge. These free vocabulary journal printables also explore antonyms and synonyms of each word.

Activities for Vocabulary Lessons 

Vocabulary Journals and Vocabulary Games for Kids – We can’t really forget to use some fun activities alongside our vocabulary lessons. Kids will really enjoy vocabulary journals AND games for learning. From eye spy to charades, games make learning vocabulary is super fun.

Roll and Review Vocabulary Activity – If your students need some light and stress-less practice for their vocabulary words then you will enjoy this activity. Provide your word list of vocabulary and your kids can use them to complete all the activities.

15 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities (Online Ideas Included) – There is no doubt that vocabulary is super important. The richer a vocabulary the better the communication skills. These vocabulary activities are purposeful and fun. They even include super useful vocabulary cards, vocabulary worksheets, vocabulary prompts,  to help kids study and review the words they have learned.

Vocabulary Game Templates – Add some fun games to your student’s vocabulary notebook. The games include printable Vocabulary Bingo ,  I Have/Who Has?, Uh Oh – What’s Missing?, and more.

Editable Fun Vocabulary Game – This vocabulary game helps your students master new vocabulary words in a fun and great way. The game can be used for review, learning, and studying.

I always tell my kids that knowledge is something that can’t ever be taken away from them (of course salvation can’t be taken away either). Vocabulary is something we will be building on for the rest of our lives. There isn’t one person who knows every word in existence. That is a level playing field for kids to build upon.

Our vocabulary resources:

Search our site for weather vocabulary , government vocabulary , bird terms and so much more. 

Free Vocabulary Journal Pack

This free instant download from WriteBonnieRose includes six vocabulary journal templates for recording and learning about new vocabulary words. Templates vary from superhero- and horse-themed pages for younger kids to pages designed for older students. 

Free printable pack of vocabulary journal worksheets

We value your privacy and promise never to send you spam; you can unsubscribe at anytime. View our  Privacy Policy  for more information on how we process your data.

vocabulary notebook activities

Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!

vocabulary notebook activities

Be sure to check out the open and go homeschool curriculum and resources over at www.dailyskillbuilding.com

vocabulary notebook activities

Join the Mailing List

Search the blog.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Alyssa Teaches

Alyssa Teaches

an Upper Elementary Blog

Engaging Activities to Teach Prefixes and Suffixes

vocabulary notebook activities

One of the most important skills a reader needs is to be able to figure out what unfamiliar words mean. One strategy to help students determine the meanings of new words and phrases is recognizing prefixes, suffixes, and root words. When readers identify an affix in a new word they read, it can help them infer the word’s meaning.

This is a great vocabulary skill to teach to help students read more independently. And bonus, it will help with their spelling and writing, too!

But memorizing tons of prefix and suffix meanings is boooorrrrring! That’s why I’m going to share with you some of my favorite activities to keep students engaged while they review affixes and their meanings.

Introducing Prefixes and Suffixes

The beauty of affixes is that students are already using them in everyday conversation!

The concept won’t be brand new to students in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade, but the language might be.

A simple way to introduce the terms prefix , affix , and root word / base word is to list some words that share a common prefix or suffix and asking students what they notice. (With younger students, you can write the affix in a different color.) Students should see that adding an affix to a word changes its meaning. You can use the acronym “P. S.” to help them remember that a prefix goes at the front and a suffix goes at the end of the word.

With 3rd and 4th graders, I recommend starting with common prefixes and suffixes they likely already know and use, such as re-, un-, -ly, and -ful. Students in 5th and 6th grades can tackle more complex Greek and Latin affixes and root words.

It’s helpful to create an anchor chart or to display affixes posters so students can refer to them all year long.

prefix and suffix posters on bulletin board

I also love to have students do a scavenger hunt in their books and around the room to find examples of prefixes and suffixes. They can write them on sticky notes and add them to an anchor chart or graphic organizer.

Once students have reviewed the basics, it’s time for some fun activities that will help them learn the meanings of common prefixes and suffixes so they can become stronger readers.

Prefix and Suffix Interactive Notebook

I find that repeated exposure to different affixes and their meanings is key for helping students recognize them in their reading. Using hands-on interactive notebook templates is a great way to give them practice.

prefix and suffix activities for ELA interactive notebook

These interactive notebook activities give students practice with defining prefixes and suffixes, brainstorming words that include common affixes, comparing negative prefixes (un-, non-, anti-, etc.), and more.

Hands-on Prefix and Suffix Sort

I love using hands-on sorts in every subject. In this printable and digital sorting activity , students identify words with prefixes, suffixes, both, and none. This works nicely to assess what students know and identify any misconceptions they have.

digital version of an affixes sorting activity

Affixes Color by Number Activities

These no-prep color-by-code worksheets are a fun way for students to review affixes. These are nice to have on hand to use as spiral review all year long. Plus they’re a great activity to leave with a substitute!

color by code worksheets to review prefix and suffix examples

Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words Digital Task Cards

I’m also a huge fan of using self-checking digital task cards in language arts. These prefix and suffix Boom cards are another engaging way to review affix meanings with a fun beach theme.

iPad with Boom cards for affixes

They give students TEI practice and are self-checking, too!

Printable clip cards are a fun non-digital task card option. Students stay engaged with these because they use a clothespin to indicate their answer on each card!

Cooperative Prefixes and Suffixes Activity

Sometimes you just need to get your students up and moving! Games and activities that get your students talking with each other and walking around the room can be a great break from worksheets.

This “fill the boxes” activity gets students interacting with each other as they find someone who can complete each box on the page.

cooperative game to practice root words, prefixes, suffixes in 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade

Prefix and Suffix Scavenger Hunt

I also love this scavenger hunt for a fun twist on traditional task cards. You can ask each student to start at a different card. They’ll answer the question and then find the card with that answer somewhere around the room. This activity is an easy way to get all your kids participating!

scavenger hunt activity to review prefix and suffix meanings

Prefix and Suffix Activity Bundle

If you want to save time, you can grab a bundle of 9 different prefix and suffix activities !

There are lots of ways to teach and review affixes with your 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. When students can identify a prefix and/or suffix in a new word or phrase, they have another tool in their word analysis strategies toolbox. And that helps them become stronger readers as they encounter more challenging texts!

Related posts

Tips for teaching sensory words

Teaching Students to Identify Sensory Words

Here are 10 ways to promote reading in your classroom or school and develop a culture of reading!

10 Ways to Promote Reading in Your Classroom or School

blog post image

Reading SOL Practice Passages for 4th Grade

No comments, leave a reply cancel reply, join the mailing list for tips, ideas, and freebies.

  • Mentor Teacher
  • Organization
  • Social Studies
  • Teacher Tips
  • Virginia Studies

vocabulary notebook activities

EnglishPost.org

5 Great Apps to Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

A Vocabulary Notebook is a booklet in which you can register new vocabulary so you can spend some time learning these new words out of the classroom. 

I have a lot of respect for students who are good listeners and readers and they always listen and read trying to find something new  to learn.

Sometimes  you have to ask yourself what was the last word that I learned?   so you can understand  how active you are in seeking new knowledge.

Some of my students  keep a vocabulary notebook in old fashion ways which is keeping a notebook close to them all the time.

Now  with the advancements in technology, this can be done through your smartphone, tablet  or your PC.

Table of Contents

  • 6 Best Apps to Keep a Vocabulary Notebooks

#1 Evernote

#3 google keep, #6 tinycards, how to organize your vocabulary notebook, interested in learning more, interested about pronunciation.

These are the best 5 apps to keep a vocabulary notebook

Evernote is an app that you can use to capture, organize, and share notes from anywhere.

Your best ideas are always with you and always in sync. This means that you can take and check your vocabulary notebook everywhere and you can even share it with others.

Collaboration can be a wonderful thing when it comes to learning languages.

Quizlet is a tool that  many teachers use  to introduce vocabulary and  test their students you can create different sets for different types of vocabulary.

You can use Quizlet to test how many new words you have learned recently.

Quizlet have some games that

Google Keep   makes it easy to capture a thought or list for yourself, and share it with friends and family.

You can write down new words and try to learn them in your free time.

OneNote   is set up like a notebook to bring the familiar physical 3-ring binder to the digital era. Easily use sections and pages to separate out thoughts by theme at school, home or work.

Dropbox Paper is  an app to create new docs or edit existing ones, and share them with your classmates  from the app, so you can capture inspiration wherever you are.

TinyCards is a great app to submit words and learn them later.

You can create sets of words, check the pronunciation and answer some simple questions to make sure that you remember them.

There are several  ways in which you can organize your vocabulary notebook, these are some of the most common ones:

  • prepositions
  • Conjunctions
  • Interjections
  • photographer
  • photographic
  • A Guide to Greetings and Introductions
  • How To Make a Reservation in English
  • How to Describe Things in English
  • How to Describe My Dream House
  • How to Describe Physical Appearance
  • How to Give Personal Information in English
  • How to Talk about Family Members in English

50 Jokes and Riddles for the ESL Classroom

  • Full Guide to English Pronunciation
  • 6 Best Pronunciation Websites
  • 8 Best English Pronunciation Apps
  • Pronunciation: List of Minimal Pairs

Manuel Campos, English Professor

I am Jose Manuel, English professor and creator of EnglishPost.org, a blog whose mission is to share lessons for those who want to learn and improve their English

Related Posts

50 Jokes and Riddles for the ESL Classroom

A Guide to the Beat Generation in Literature

A Guide to the Bloomsbury Group in Literature

A Guide to the Bloomsbury Group in Literature

The Vocabulary Notebook App. Done Right.

  • Capture and organize the new words and phrases you constantly discover scattered around in multiple sources.
  • Review vocabulary in context and supercharge your ability to memorize and achieve native-like fluency.
  • Indispensable tool for language learners, translators, interpreters, linguists, and terminologists.

3 Steps to Native-Like Fluency

Immerse yourself in content you love by reading or watching movies and video in the foreign language.

Make your learning active: Do not read simply to comprehend and move on. Take the time to carefully analyze the vocabulary used. Identify unfamiliar words and multiword chunks. When you come across a great wording for expressing an idea, concept, or term, record it in LingoNote.

Learners often combine words following their mother tongue’s lexical patterns, which results in embarrassing nonsense. That’s why you should focus on finding out how things are actually said in the foreign language.

Many of the expressions you discover can’t be found in dictionaries.

Capture and organize the new words and phrases in LingoNote in a way that makes sense to you. Curate your own learning space and make new vocabulary meaningful and personally relevant.

The deeper the mental processing used when tackling a new word, the more likely that you will master it. Recording translations, definitions, synonyms and antonyms, collocations, and example sentences requires more elaborate thought. It will better enhance learning than shallower mental activities such as rote repetition.

Making an effort to diligently fill each vocabulary note is a crucial step in the learning process itself. Often that involves looking up and distilling information from multiple resources: various dictionaries (bilingual, monolingual, specialized, thesauri, collocations), language forums, glossaries, terminology databases, class notes, etc.

LingoNote’s powerful tagging feature allows you to dynamically group and re-organize vocabulary by topic, context, or situation. By assigning tags to your notes you can conceptually connect related words and phrases.

Review your words and phrases using LingoNote’s flexible modules: dynamic flashcards, targeted search, filters, tags.

LingoNote will hold your gradual and growing understanding of each word or phrase you record. Once you add a new word, you will continue to update your knowledge – polishing, revising, and fine-tuning your expanding and more nuanced understanding. Bits and pieces will continually be added to your existing knowledge about words as you are exposed to them in a variety of new contexts and situations. To learn effectively you should integrate new knowledge into what you already know.

You need multiple opportunities to interact and engage with words over a period of time in order to progress from merely understanding the words to using them well in speaking or writing. With targeted review in LingoNote, all recorded vocabulary will start to come naturally to you and you will begin to use it with the ease of a native speaker.

Knowing words is knowledge. You have to turn that knowledge into a skill.

Learners Polygon 1 (Stroke)

Vocabulary Notebook App for Language Learners

Learning vocabulary, whether individual words or word combinations, is the most demanding and time-consuming aspect of foreign language study. In fact, it’s a never-ending process and remains a lifelong effort.

There is no single resource that covers everything that needs to be learned. Language learners now use a massive number of sources to discover and learn new vocabulary: bilingual dictionaries, monolingual dictionaries, thesauri, specialized dictionaries, books, news articles, language forums.

However, the ubiquity of vocabulary information can be both a blessing and a curse. Learners come across vocabulary they want to learn at a much faster pace than their brain can process and memorize.

Memorization is a complex process and requires a conscious effort. Our brain does not have the ability to instantly memorize everything we have glanced over while reading in a foreign language. We quickly forget if we don’t focus on actually remembering it.

There is a lack of suitable tools for managing and organizing the ever-increasing information that learners accumulate over time.

Thankfully, now there is LingoNote, a vocabulary notebook app that solves the vocabulary chaos problem for any learner, at any level of language study. LingoNote enables learners and translators to record, store, and organize new vocabulary. All vocabulary information is organized in a unique user interface with powerful and intuitive input and editing functions.

LingoNote is a one-stop repository where you capture new words and phrases as you encounter them while reading, conversing, or watching movies and video. This facilitates subsequent review and memorization as well as instant retrieval when needed.

Unlike generic flashcard apps, LingoNote functions in a way that helps achieve native-like fluency, and not just mindless memorization.

One of the strengths of LingoNote lies in the way it simplifies and enhances existing facets of several separate tools and brings them together in one powerful and seamless app.

Translators Polygon 1 (Stroke)

Terminology Management Tool for Translators and Interpreters

LingoNote is the perfect companion for translators and interpreters too. These professionals need to manage and organize a vast amount of specialized vocabulary in a wide array of topics. Having instant access to this data is crucial.

With its robust and powerful tagging, color coding, and advanced search functions, LingoNote can quickly pull up the right words and expressions and keep them at your fingertips, allowing you to come up with the most suitable translation.

Feature Icon 2

  • Organize new vocabulary in a way that makes sense to you.
  • Intuitive input and editing functions.
  • For each word or phrase you record, you can add translation, synonyms, antonyms, examples, notes, etc.

Features Icon 155

  • Add one or more tags to each word or phrase you record.
  • Organize vocabulary by topic, situation, and context.

Features Icon 4

Search and Filters

  • Search and filter by keyword, tags, date range, and many other criteria.
  • Instantly find what you need.

Features Icon 7

Multilingual Translations

  • When needed, LingoNote makes possible the parallel recording of meanings and translations in more than one language.

Features Icon 5

Dynamic Flashcards

  • Dynamically generate flashcards on the fly.

Features Icon 12

Complement any Method

  • LingoNote can be used in conjunction with any existing language learning method, without the need to choose one or the other.

Features Icon 34

Content Agnostic

  • LingoNote is not limited to what learning content you can use. You are free to use any resource you like.

Features Icon 45

Terminology Management

  • For translators, interpreters, and terminologists – you can directly see and edit your entries. Unlike other tools, your terms are not buried in some internal database.

Copyright 2022 © LingoNote. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2020 © LingoNote. All Rights Reserved.

NHL

Canucks notebook: Arshdeep Bains’ impressive debut and the special teams thing

Feb 17, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Arshdeep Bains (80) handles the puck during warm up prior to a game against the Winnipeg Jets at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks haven’t had many nights like this.

On Tuesday evening in Denver, Colo., the Canucks were deeply unlucky. A couple of soft penalties went against them, including a crucial trip against Ian Cole late in the third period. The 3-1 game winner was scored off of a harmless Ryan Johansen point shot that rode up Conor Garland ’s stick and somehow found the top corner of the Vancouver net. Meanwhile, Elias Lindholm and Filip Hronek couldn’t finish grade-A chances with a yawning cage.

Advertisement

The fundamental performance was there for Vancouver on Tuesday night, but the breaks weren’t.

Now, this isn’t an uncommon story for most NHL teams. Before this week, however, the Canucks had seemed immune to runs of normal, everyday hockey misfortune.

And so despite a really impressive effort in the second leg of a back-to-back at elevation against an elite team on Tuesday night, despite a stellar defensive effort that worked to contain the Nathan MacKinnon line, the Canucks dropped their third consecutive contest in regulation.

Vancouver is still extremely well-positioned overall. Even with losses in their past three games, the Canucks sit atop the Western Conference and the Pacific Division standings. They’ve built up a sizeable lead where it matters, too.

The club’s upcoming schedule, however, is an absolute gauntlet. The Canucks face the most difficult schedule in the Western Conference over the balance of the season, based on the quality of their upcoming opponents.

Even Thursday’s game against the Seattle Kraken , a get-right spot that now looms large for a Canucks team working through their first losing streak of the campaign, is sneaky difficult given the Kraken’s rest advantage.

Vancouver has some breathing room yet, but their margin for error isn’t quite as big as it might appear from a facile glance at the NHL standings.

Consider, for example, that under Kris Knoblauch, the red-hot Edmonton Oilers have reeled off an astounding .769 point percentage across 32 games and currently hold six games in hand over the Canucks with one remaining head-to-head matchup. A .769 point percentage is a preposterous pace, but if the Oilers could maintain, say, a .700 point percentage over the balance of their season, they’d get to 109 points by season’s end.

So in order to salt Edmonton away and seal the Pacific Division crown, which carries the crucial benefit of locking the Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights into a brutal first-round matchup, the Canucks will want to get something like 30 points from their remaining 24 games. That’s very doable, but it’s a 103-point pace, or a .625 point percentage. It’s a win rate far greater than what the Canucks have managed since the All-Star break (4-4-1).

There’s no reason for undue panic on the heels of three consecutive losses, especially considering that Vancouver’s defensive play and overall five-on-five form continue to be solid.

There is and should be urgency from the team to get back on track, however. Winning the Pacific significantly boosts Vancouver’s chances of making a deep playoff run, and given Edmonton’s refusal to lose games the past few months, the Canucks need to get back to picking up points or the division crown will become a sweat in a hurry.

A solid first impression for Arshdeep Bains

Arshdeep Bains’ NHL debut would’ve been a tremendous story regardless of his performance on Tuesday night.

A local product hailing from Surrey, B.C., Bains was passed over in the WHL priority draft. And then again in the NHL Draft.

Undeterred, Bains made himself into the most prolific playmaker in the WHL. After leading the league in scoring during the 2021-22 season, Bains signed with his hometown Canucks as an undrafted free agent.

It wasn’t necessarily obvious in terms of his on-ice performance in the American League, but behind the scenes, Bains popped immediately for Canucks brass. The excitement about his pro prospects really began to build for the Canucks internally in the fall of his first professional season.

One couldn’t necessarily tell by tracking his stats. After scoring in his American League debut, Bains scored just one more goal in 22 games before Christmas.

At practice, however, and most importantly in the weight room, Bains’ work ethic immediately caught the eye of his coaches and Canucks player development staff.

A high-IQ playmaker in major junior, one hallmark of Bains’ game at the major junior level was his ability to set up teammates with his back turned to them. Bains’ collection of clever spin moves, and his feel for protecting the puck while still making plays, had the potential to be a separating skill for him at the professional level. First though, Bains had to improve his skating and add a ton of functional strength for those spin moves to really translate.

With that as the focus, a plan emerged. Bains was tasked with hitting the gym and logging extra time in on-ice workouts in the fall of 2022. The message was passed along through Jeremy Colliton, Ryan Johnson and others and it was explicit: Bains was told that if all the extra work came at the expense of his energy level in games, so be it.

Top to bottom, the organization had its eyes on a night like tonight.

After Christmas in his first season, Bains took off. He managed 28 points in his final 44 games and was a major contributor in Abbotsford’s brief Calder Cup playoff run.

By the summer, Bains had cemented his status as the star pupil of Vancouver’s new player development apparatus to the point that the club invited him to development camp to talk to younger Canucks prospects about his adjustment as a professional player.

An intelligent, young player with the ability to outwork everybody else can quickly become a weapon. In his second professional season, Bains levelled up again. He’s become arguably the key driver for Abbotsford on the power play, a near-point-per-game player and an AHL All-Star — where he was named MVP.

Last week, the Canucks called Bains up for the first time. And on Tuesday, before stepping onto the ice for warmups and taking the solo lap that would mark his NHL debut, Bains did “matha tek” — touching the ground, then his heart — before stepping onto the ice in a Canucks game jersey.

he touched the ground and then touched his heart before stepping onto the ice and in punjabi we call that “matha tek” which is done to show worship and respect. such a small yet such a meaningful gesture from him before his NHL debut 🥹 https://t.co/TWsNrV6ybC — d (@avsinseider) February 21, 2024

When the puck dropped, Bains’ debut performance was more than commendable. In fact, he made an excellent first impression at the NHL level.

Bains immediately understood the assignment of what it means to play Rick Tocchet hockey. His work rate on stops and starts defensively, the way he hit the breaks to make sure he was always inside his check in the defensive zone and his consistent, sharp defensive reads were flat-out impressive for a player debuting at the highest level of the sport.

We even saw one of Bains’ patented spin move setups, a pass from below the goal line that put Teddy Blueger in all alone on net.

The most exciting part about Bains’ debut, however, is that he stood out in the areas — work rate, defensive details — likely to earn him additional looks. Especially given what we know about how Tocchet prizes work rate, structural understanding and two-way details.

Now it wasn’t a perfect showing — Bains finished the game with a couple of dashes and took a bad luck penalty in the first period — but perfect isn’t the standard that matters. If Bains can replicate the level of two-way intelligence and intensity he showed in his debut on an every-game basis, he’ll have a real path to carving out a role as an NHL regular.

Tuesday night, after all, wasn’t the last chapter of Bains’ remarkable story. It was the first.

The special teams thing

Colorado didn’t dent the Canucks for a power-play goal, but it threatened with withering persistence.

The Avalanche had three power-play opportunities and in six minutes of work with the man advantage generated 17 shot attempts, nine shots on goal and eight scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick .

Vancouver, in contrast, had two power-play opportunities and in four minutes of work with the man advantage generated five shot attempts, two shots on goal and two scoring chances.

It was a special teams draw on the scoreboard Tuesday night, but watching these two teams play left little doubt about which team has a sharper edge in specialized game states.

And that’s worth noting and noting prominently. It’s not exactly a secret, after all, that Vancouver’s special teams play has hurt them recently.

Since the All-Star break, Vancouver has played .500-point-percentage hockey despite outscoring its opposition by six goals at five-on-five across its past nine games. For the most part, Vancouver’s goaltending has been solid and its preposterous finishing efficiency has continued. This Canucks team has been controlling play at the level of a fringe elite team for over a month now, and that’s continued even as their results have cooled in recent weeks.

So why is Vancouver rather suddenly dropping games? The answer, primarily, is that Canucks special teams are struggling enormously.

The power play isn’t scoring and, worse than that, has been surrendering goals against. In Vancouver’s nine games since the All-Star break, the power play has scored just three times while surrendering three short-handed goals.

Meanwhile, the penalty kill, which seemed to be trending in a solid direction, has surrendered nine goals in nine games — most of them coming just this past weekend in a pair of ugly games against Winnipeg and Minnesota .

As good as their five-on-five work has been this month, they’re giving it all back (and then some) on special teams.

Now some of what we’re seeing on the power play is bad finishing luck. Vancouver’s band of super-efficient finishers has suddenly run cold with the man advantage. The lack of sustained dangerous looks from Vancouver’s first power-play unit, however, and the anemic shot and shot attempt rates are genuinely concerning.

The first power-play unit carries the mustard for the Canucks, so let’s start there. Since acquiring Elias Lindholm and installing him at the net front, the Canucks have mostly rolled with J.T. Miller in the bumper as opposed to his usual spot on the left-side half-wall, with Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson on the flanks and Quinn Hughes at the point. Now, Vancouver’s first power-play unit is actually generating shots, scoring chances and shot attempts at a pretty consistent rate with what they’ve managed on the season as a whole since the break, but there’s something interesting if you look specifically at who is taking those shots.

Since Miller has moved into the bumper, his shot rate has absolutely — and predictably — exploded. Where Miller’s shot rate on the power play before the break sat at about 11 shots per hour, that number has since ballooned to 26 shots per hour. Meanwhile, Hughes’, Boeser’s and Pettersson’s shot rates have all cratered precipitously.

It isn’t necessarily that Boeser, Pettersson and Hughes aren’t shooting enough. In fact, both Boeser’s and Pettersson’s shot attempt rates are higher since the break than they were beforehand. Hughes’ shot attempt rate is legitimately down a bit, but by a far less significant amount than his actual shot rate. The problem isn’t so much that Vancouver’s perimeter attackers aren’t getting shots off with the man advantage, the problem is that those shots aren’t getting through at a high enough clip.

Maybe this will sort itself out. Perhaps Vancouver’s first power-play unit is just adjusting to a new alignment and happens to be in shooting percentage hell at the moment. It’s conceivable that in time, this new alignment could be an upgrade, once it’s all sorted.

I do wonder, however, whether the fact Hughes’, Pettersson’s and Boeser’s shots are being blocked more frequently this month is directly tied to them taking fewer shots efficiently set up by Miller in his usual spot on his downhill side.

It goes without saying, but the Canucks will need the power play to be a difference-maker when they get into the sort of close, tight-checking games like the one we saw on Tuesday night. It isn’t close to that level at the moment.

As for the penalty kill, much of its success prior to the break was goalie-driven more than anything else. Some save percentage regression was to be anticipated, if not all in a five-minute span.

There is some good news for Vancouver in terms of its short-handed form, though. Maybe it hasn’t looked pretty over the past three games, but Vancouver’s penalty killers are surrendering shots and shot attempts at a lower rate since the break than they have for much of the season. Short of a trade to bring in an absolute short-handed ace, the penalty kill isn’t likely to be a strength of this team in the near term, but it could get close enough to league average to avoid being a fatal flaw.

Simply put, right now Vancouver’s special teams are a drag on a team that is otherwise performing very well. Tocchet and company are going to have to find some answers if they’re going to end this losing streak and maintain their lead in the Pacific Division and Western Conference.

(Photo of Arshdeep Bains: Bob Frid / USA Today)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Thomas Drance

Thomas Drance covers the Vancouver Canucks as a senior writer for The Athletic. He is also the co-host of the Canucks Hour on Sportsnet 650. His career in hockey media — as a journalist, editor and author — has included stops at Canucks Army, The Score, Triumph Publishing, the Nation Network and Sportsnet. Previously, he was vice president, public relations and communications, for the Florida Panthers for three seasons. Follow Thomas on Twitter @ ThomasDrance

Red Sox players are anxious to get spring training games underway

Lucas Giolito will get his first spring start with the Red Sox Sunday.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — There comes a point during spring training when players find the daily grind monotonous. There are only so many grounders to take, fly balls to shag, and bullpens to throw. Ultimately, it all boils down to playing games and competing.

“For me, the games are all about getting into competition mode,” Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito said Friday. “It moves a lot faster than a bullpen or a live bullpen. You may have runners on base. You have a crowd in the stadium again, so it’s just getting attuned to the speed of the game.”

For Giolito, that time will come Sunday when he makes his first Grapefruit League start. Collectively, the monotony will end for the Red Sox Saturday with a road contest against the Orioles. Garrett Whitlock , vying for a rotation spot, will take the ball against Corbin Burnes , one of the better pitchers in baseball whom the Orioles acquired during the offseason.

Notable Sox position players traveling to Sarasota will include Ceddanne Rafaela , Wilyer Abreu , and Bobby Dalbec . The Sox then have a split squad Sunday against the Twins and Braves.

Advertisement

Fundamentals eluded the Red Sox last year. They were tied with the lowly Athletics for the second-most errors in baseball (102). The Red Sox compounded their physical shortcomings with mental lapses, frequently throwing to the wrong base or overthrowing the cutoff man, leading to runners taking the extra base.

Sox pitchers were inconsistent, often struggling to throw strikes. Relievers ranked 10th in walks with 255. When combined with the poor defense, that’s a disaster.

The Sox knew they needed to improve in both categories. Trevor Story’s return to shortstop for a full year, instead of Kiké Hernández , unquestionably will help the defense.

“We had a taste of it last year,” manager Alex Cora said of Story. “What he did for a month and a half was impressive. We’re looking forward to him being healthy. Kiké will tell you early in the season he wasn’t good.”

So what is Cora looking for from his club as the spring games begin?

“We talked about effort,” said Cora. “We talked about playing clean baseball. We talked about throwing strikes. That would be good. We’ve got to move. The ball is hit, and you’ve got to move. Even if you move the wrong way, move. That’s the most important thing. I think last year, we were slow to react to a few things.”

Cora also wants his club to be more aggressive on the bases. He thinks the Sox are more athletic than last year, especially with the addition of Tyler O’Neill , a more confident and assertive Jarren Duran , and a healthy Story.

“We have to take advantage of that,” Cora said. “And hopefully, we can accomplish that in the next four or five weeks.”

Infield plans

Dalbec will play first base Saturday and third Sunday. Pablo Reyes will play shortstop Saturday and first Sunday. Cora relayed that Reyes will get a number of reps at first base this spring behind Dalbec … The Red Sox officially inked lefthander Joely Rodriguez to a minor league deal Friday. Rodriguez had a forgettable season last year, plagued by injury, which led to just 11 relief appearances. “He wasn’t healthy last year,” said Cora. “Hopefully, he’s healthy. The changeup is real. Hopefully, the velocity is back. When you have that difference between the fastball and the changeup, he’s going to get some swings and misses.” Rodriguez said he is healthy and looking forward to a chance to prove himself. “I came in with the desire to show the best of me,” said Rodriguez through a team translator. “But unfortunately, things didn’t go that way. This is a team that, since my younger years, I grew up rooting for. And you know, this year now that I’m here, I want to show the kind of baseball player that I am for this organization.” … Red Sox 2004 World Series champion Derek Lowe attended Friday’s contest against Northeastern at JetBlue Park, signing autographs for the Huskies faithful who attended. Lynn native Aiven Cabral got the start for Northeastern. The sophomore attended St. Mary’s, the same high school as Tony Conigliaro .

Julian McWilliams can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @byJulianMack .

vocabulary notebooks 5th

All Formats

Resource types, all resource types.

  • Rating Count
  • Price (Ascending)
  • Price (Descending)
  • Most Recent

Vocabulary notebooks 5th

Preview of Tier 2 Vocabulary Interactive Notebook and Curriculum Units 2nd-5th Grade Bundle

Tier 2 Vocabulary Interactive Notebook and Curriculum Units 2nd- 5th Grade Bundle

vocabulary notebook activities

Tier 2 Vocabulary Interactive Notebook Units and Activities - 4th 5th Grade

Preview of Social Studies Vocabulary Flipbook 3rd 4th 5th Grade Interactive Notebook

Social Studies Vocabulary Flipbook 3rd 4th 5th Grade Interactive Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

Fifth Grade CCSS Math Vocabulary Interactive Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

5th Grade Math Interactive Vocabulary Notebook - Terms, Definitions, Examples

vocabulary notebook activities

5th Grade Science Interactive Notebook Vocabulary Foldable: HMH Lesson 1

vocabulary notebook activities

PHYSICAL SCIENCE Vocabulary Foldable Notes for 5th Grade Interactive Notebooks

vocabulary notebook activities

Math Vocabulary for Interactive Notebooks 5th Grade YEAR LONG BUNDLE

vocabulary notebook activities

Greek and Latin Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes Interactive Notebook Vocabulary

vocabulary notebook activities

5th Grade Math Interactive Notebook DOODLE Sheets ~ EASY Notes ~ PPTs Included!

vocabulary notebook activities

Math Interactive Notebook : 5TH GRADE ALL STANDARDS BUNDLE

vocabulary notebook activities

Spanish Colors Interactive Notebook Activity Los Colores Vocabulary Practice

vocabulary notebook activities

Wonder Novel Study Interactive Notebook R.J. Palacio Unit Wonder Activities Book

vocabulary notebook activities

  • Easel Activity

Preview of 5th Grade Language Interactive  Notebook  Grammar Interactive Notebook

5th Grade Language Interactive Notebook Grammar Interactive Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

Math Doodle - 5th Grade Math Interactive Notebook Bundle ~ ALL YEAR SET ~ Notes

Preview of Wonders 2023, 2020 - 5th Grade WHOLE-YEAR BUNDLE: Units 1-6 Supplement w/ GOOGLE

Wonders 2023, 2020 - 5th Grade WHOLE-YEAR BUNDLE: Units 1-6 Supplement w/ GOOGLE

vocabulary notebook activities

Literature and Informational Reading Unit Interactive Notebooks for 4th 5th 6th

vocabulary notebook activities

Academic Vocabulary : Word Wall, Posters, Interactive Notebook Printable EDITABLE

vocabulary notebook activities

Grammar & Vocabulary Notebook Charts

vocabulary notebook activities

Morphology Notebook – Prefixes, Suffixes, Greek and Latin Roots Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

Soil Layers and Types of Soil Activities, Vocabulary and Interactive Notebooks

vocabulary notebook activities

5th Grade Math Word Wall

vocabulary notebook activities

Interactive Vocabulary Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

Vocabulary Posters and Anchor Charts, Readers Notebook , Interactive Notebook

vocabulary notebook activities

  • Google Apps™
  • We're hiring
  • Help & FAQ
  • Privacy policy
  • Student privacy
  • Terms of service
  • Tell us what you think

IMAGES

  1. Need ideas on how to use an interactive notebook in you classroom? This

    vocabulary notebook activities

  2. an interactive notebook with the words and pictures for grade 1

    vocabulary notebook activities

  3. Pin page

    vocabulary notebook activities

  4. Start your own vocabulary notebook with these free vocabulary

    vocabulary notebook activities

  5. Vocabulary Interactive Notebook, Interactive Notebook Templates for

    vocabulary notebook activities

  6. Interactive Notebook Examples and Templates

    vocabulary notebook activities

COMMENTS

  1. Digital and Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks

    These activities can be a mix of notes, graphic organizers, pictures, writing or even store things like word cards! Digital interactive vocabulary notebooks are simple to set up and require NO cutting and gluing!

  2. 21 Ideas for Teaching Vocabulary in the Classroom

    IDEA #1: Semantic Maps In this activity, the teacher chooses a word and displays it for the class on a whiteboard, etc. Students read the word and then think of words that come to mind when they see that word (this is awesome because it activates prior learning).

  3. The Big List of Engaging Vocabulary Activities for Science (Interactive

    My BIG List of Vocabulary Activities for Science (or any content area) 1.Word Wall Cards - Posted around the room by category or alphabetical as a reminder or reference, and a tool for some fun games. ... 36.Vocab Mini Books - Works for Interactive Notebook or as stand alone mini books. 37.Vocab Review Sort Pocket Folders - Works on their ...

  4. 30 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities for Every Grade

    1. Write vocabulary short stories Using vocabulary words in writing shows mastery. Challenge your students to use all of their vocabulary words in an original short story. Allow students to pair up and share their stories with a partner. Learn more: Lucky Little Learners 2. Put your students in the "hot seat" Divide your class into two teams.

  5. Building Vocabulary Activities in A 3rd Grade Classroom

    This morphology notebook contains 13 weeks of materials - 4 activities and 1 assessment each week. There are 26 different morphemes addressed as well as a schedule and instructions throughout the week for how to implement each activity. This resource is perfect for any individual work time for your students.

  6. Why use Vocabulary Interactive Notebooks?

    An interactive notebook used for vocabulary is a student-centered, personalized notebook for recording, defining and connecting with words. Interactive notebooks usually include pages that flip open and out, almost like a "pop-up" book. This engagement with the notebook page adds a great tactile element for students.

  7. Inside Vocabulary Notebooks

    What You Need: One spiral notebook for every student. Extra durable post-it tabs (3 per student) A fine marker to write with The Tabs in a Notebook: **use front and back pages of the notebook My Words (35 pages) Connections (65 pages) In My Life (40 pages) I hope you can enjoy vocabulary notebooks with your students as much as I love them!

  8. 10 Best Fun and Interactive Vocabulary Activities

    As an instructor, you could include words like guitar, mango, truck, running, fishing, etc. A child should be able to draw these things with ease. Also, don t try to be judgmental about the quality of the drawing here. Remember, the main goal is to help the child relate the drawing with the words.

  9. Vocabulary Interactive Notebook and Worksheets for Any Words

    Print and Digital! Get maximum engagement with vocabulary words! These 16 activities (to use with any vocabulary list) are an effective way to increase understanding and retention of new words our students encounter! And it comes in 2 versions!The first version is for an Interactive Notebook. Stude...

  10. How To Use an Interactive Notebook (Plus 25 Stellar Examples)

    Interactive notebooks involve "teacher input" items, such as blank templates, images to color or copy, and sorting activities to cut and paste. It's important that each teacher input item also involves student output: something to complete, color, fill in, illustrate, etc. That's what makes the notebook interactive.

  11. 10 Fun and Engaging Ideas to Teach Science Vocabulary

    2. Concept Building. Concept Building is a powerful strategy to help students become more comfortable with academic vocabulary. Record related nouns, verbs, and adjectives (or descriptive words and phrases) for any term. Concept Building is so effective that I include it in every Small Group Science lesson.

  12. Vocabulary words: An evidence-based literacy strategy

    This strategy includes playing vocabulary games, incorporating visual supports like graphic organizers, and giving students the chance to see and use new words in real-world contexts. ... or during afterschool activities. Consider asking students to use a vocabulary notebook to jot down when they use the words. You can even get your colleagues ...

  13. Vocabulary Interactive Notebook Teaching Resources

    vocabulary interactive notebook 57,000+ results Sort: Relevance View: Greek and Latin Root Words, Prefixes, & Suffixes Interactive Notebook Vocabulary by Lovin Lit 4.9 (4.6k) $14.95 Zip

  14. Google Slides interactive notebooks + 20 activities to fill them

    Organizing your digital interactive notebook. Get everything started with any combination of the following …. 1. Have students start with a brand new Google Slides presentation. (Add through the "New" button in Drive or by typing slides.new in your browser.) 2. … or, you could create a template to share with them.

  15. Interactive Vocabulary Notebooks & Worksheets

    Free Under $5 $5 - $10 $10 and up On Sale Resource Types Results for interactive vocabulary notebooks 71,000+ results Sort: Relevance

  16. Free Printable Vocabulary Journals for Students

    Add some A to Z dividers to help create the vocabulary notebook. Vocabulary Journal for Students - This free vocabulary journal has spaces for synonyms, antonyms, and an image or picture. This journal printable is two pages to fit in any 3-ring binder. Colorful Vocabulary Journal - Introduce new words to your students with this fun and ...

  17. Engaging Activities to Teach Prefixes and Suffixes

    This is a great vocabulary skill to teach to help students read more independently. And bonus, it will help with their spelling and writing, too! ... These interactive notebook activities give students practice with defining prefixes and suffixes, brainstorming words that include common affixes, comparing negative prefixes (un-, non-, anti ...

  18. Interactive Vocabulary Notebook by Vocabulicious

    Each Interactive Vocabulary Notebook set is intended to be used with 1 focus word; The printable pages will need to be cut out and glued into students' notebooks, instructions are included; Photos of example interactive notebooks are included; Check out additional easy to implement vocabulary activities from my shop!:

  19. 5 Great Apps to Keep a Vocabulary Notebook

    - July 6, 2023 A Vocabulary Notebook is a booklet in which you can register new vocabulary so you can spend some time learning these new words out of the classroom. I have a lot of respect for students who are good listeners and readers and they always listen and read trying to find something new to learn.

  20. LingoNote

    1. Discover 2. Record and Organize 3. Review and Master Immerse yourself in content you love by reading or watching movies and video in the foreign language. Make your learning active: Do not read simply to comprehend and move on. Take the time to carefully analyze the vocabulary used. Identify unfamiliar words and multiword chunks.

  21. free interactive vocabulary notebook templates

    Vocabulary Interactive Notebook, Interactive Notebook Templates for Grades 1-3. by. LMB Literacy. 5.0. (3) $6.00. PDF. This Vocabulary Interactive Notebook includes 3 great templates to help build vocabulary. Includes 180 words and definitions for grades 1-3.

  22. Canucks notebook: Arshdeep Bains' impressive debut and the special

    Consider, for example, that under Kris Knoblauch, the red-hot Edmonton Oilers have reeled off an astounding .769 point percentage across 32 games and currently hold six games in hand over the ...

  23. Red Sox players ready to get spring training games underway

    FORT MYERS, Fla. — There comes a point during spring training when players find the daily grind monotonous. There are only so many grounders to take, fly balls to shag, and bullpens to throw.

  24. Vocabulary Interactive Notebook Activities by Blair Turner

    Vocabulary Interactive Notebook Activities by Blair Turner | TpT Vocabulary Interactive Notebook Activities 216 Ratings View Preview Grade Levels 3rd - 5th Subjects Grammar, Vocabulary, Tools for Common Core Standards CCSS CCRA.R.4 CCSS CCRA.L.4 Resource Type Activities, Interactive Notebooks, Centers Formats Included PDF Pages 25 pages $4.00

  25. Results for vocabulary notebooks 5th

    Math Word Wall+Interactive Notebook Vocabulary 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Focus Wall. This math vocabulary resource is intended to be used with students in Grades 3-5. This resource includes 303 math vocabulary words, phrases, and concepts and goes far beyond the words frequently used in the standards.