Action ABC's: Learning Vocabulary With Verbs

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

Students are likely to know many more words than they use in their writing. This lesson is designed to help students better use their vocabulary by teaching (or reviewing) what verbs are and to then help them access verbs they already know and use them in sentences. Students work together to brainstorm and create lists of verbs for each of the letters of the alphabet. Then, choosing one verb for each letter, they create pages for an Action Alphabet book. Each page includes an illustration and a sentence using the verb in context. The project can be adapted according to age level and language ability. Students in kindergarten may work together on a class book, while older students may work in small groups or individually. Similarly, the complexity of the example sentences will vary depending on students' writing levels.

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FEATURED RESOURCES

Alphabet Organizer: This interactive tool allows students to create an alphabet chart or letter pages with words that start with each letter of the alphabet.

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FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Johnson, D.D. (2000). Just the right word: Vocabulary and writing. In R. Indrisano & J.R. Squire (Eds.), Perspectives on writing: Research, theory, and practice (pp. 162-186). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

• Reading and writing involve the ability to comprehend and communicate words.
  
  
• Direct instruction in important words, including definitions and context, is a key way to help improve student writing. Students need to learn how to use "just the right words" in their writing.
  
  
• Students should be encouraged to use words they do not usually use when speaking and writing. Dictionaries and thesauri can be used to learn new vocabulary words.

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