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150 Vocabulary Word-Definition Lists and Worksheets for Middle – High School

Here are a total of 150 downloadable learning and instructional documents to help with expanding and building vocabulary for middle and high school students . These cover a variety of topics and include word and definition lists, vocabulary exercises, worksheets, and lessons . They are pdf  files, unless indicated as .doc format. Update: Here are our latest vocabulary posts: 373 Greek and Latin Roots in English Words , Vocabulary For Middle and High School Students and 106 More Vocabulary and Spelling Worksheets & Lists, Grades 1-8 . Also, don’t miss Vocabulary For Middle and High School Students and Vocabulary with Reading Comprehension: 152 Worksheets, Lists and Tools .

• 20 Vocabulary Words, Middle School
• 35 Word Chain Crossword Puzzles with answers
• 3rd Grade Vocabulary Words
• 3rd Grade Word Study Worksheets
• 47 Vocabulary Worksheets, Answers at end – Higher Grades
• 100 Words Every High School Freshman Should Know
• 100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
• 100 Words with Definitions List 1, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 2, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 3, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 4, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 5, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 6, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 7, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 8, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 9, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 10, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 11, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 12, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 13, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 14, High School
• 100 Words with Definitions List 15, High School
• 100 Vocabulary Tests with Answers, Intermediate
• 100 Vocabulary Units & Tests with Answers, Advanced
• 100 Vocabulary Units & Tests with Answers, Intermediate
• 500 Vocabulary Words, HS Levels C and D
• 1250 Words & Phrases in 60 Units with Answers, Elementary
• A ‘Word’ About Vocabulary
• Academic Vocabulary List
• Agriculture Vocabulary Words
• Algebra Vocabulary List, Definitions for Middle School
• Approaching New Words
• Architecture Vocabulary Words
• Back Words for Back to School A Vocabulary Brain Teaser
• Beginning Middle and End of Words with Test and Answers
• Beowulf Vocabulary Words
• Beyond Matching Vocabulary
• Cellular Transport Vocabulary Words
• Check Your English Vocabulary for Medicine
• Common Vocabulary Words Level 1 – Verbs
• Connotation Chart with answer key
• Costumes and Garmets Vocabulary Words
• Culinary Essentials Vocabulary Words
• Diet and Exercise Vocabulary Words
• Diminutive Suffixes Vocabulary Words
• Drama Vocabulary Words
• Driver Education Vocabulary Words
• Earth Science Vocabulary Words
• Ecology Vocabulary Words
• Eighth Grade Literary Terms You Should Know.doc
• Emotions Vocabulary Words
• Energy Vocabulary Words
• Engaging Activities for English Vocabulary Learners
• Evolution Vocabulary Words
• Five Senses Example for Generating Similes-Metaphors
• Five Senses Organizer for Generating Similes-Metaphors
• Flocabulary SAT Vocabulary Word List
• Fossil Vocabulary
• Getting ‘In’ to Prefixes
• GMAT Vocabulary List
• GRE Vocab Flashcard eBook
• Helping your school age child to understand and use words
• High School Music Band Vocabulary
• Language Arts Instructional Routine Book K-6th Grade
• Lesson for Spelling and Vocabulary Contest
• Lord of the Flies Chapters 1-4 Vocabulary Worksheet
• Matter Vocabulary Words
• Metaphors in I Have A Dream speech
• Middle School Assessment Vocabulary
• Middle School Level Vocabulary Matching Words 1
• Middle School Math Terminology
• Middle School Math Vocabulary Word Wall Cards
• Middle School SAT Vocabulary Words
• National Reading Vocabulary Grade 5
• National Reading Vocabulary Grade 6
• Plate Tectonics Vocabulary Matching
• Plate Tectonics Vocabulary Words
• Prefix Suffix Root List Chart.doc
• SAT Vocabulary Words Commonly Tested
• SAT Vocabulary Words Adjectives
• SAT Vocabulary Words Nouns
• SAT Vocabulary Words Verbs
• Science Vocabulary Words
• Science Unit Vocabulary Words
• Scientific Method Vocabulary Words
• Short Story Vocabulary Words
• Six-Step Vocabulary Instructional Practice.doc
• Six-Step Vocabulary Instructional Practice
• Teaching Academic Vocabulary Strategies and Activities
• Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary
• Test Your Vocabulary, Answers at end
• Tier 2 Vocabulary Words for High School
• Top 1000 Vocabulary Words
• Vertebrates Vocabulary Words
• Vocabulary Activities
• Vocabulary Critical Word List with Definitions, to Grade 12
• Vocabulary Flash Cards – Basic Set
• Vocabulary Flash Cards – Easy Set
• Vocabulary Flash Cards – Hard Set
• Vocabulary Flash Cards – Medium Set
• Vocabulary Games for Middle School
• Vocabulary Learning Strategies
• Vocabulary Lesson 1 – Cuisine.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 2 – Law.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 3 – Money and Finance.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 4 – School Days.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 5 – Feelings.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 6 – Writing and Editing.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 7 – Construction.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 8 – Sports.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 9 – Behavior.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 10 – Nature and Wildlife.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 11 – Mystery and Suspense.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 12 – Clothing and Fashion.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 13 – Travel .doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 14 – Government.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 15 – Medicine .doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 16 – History.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 17 – Language and Literature.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 18 – Transportation.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 19 – Suffixes -ation-tion-ion-sion.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 20 – Agriculture.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 21 – The Military.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 22 – Headline News.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 23 – Performing Arts.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 24 – The Home.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 25 – Suffixes -ful-ous.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 26 – Occupations.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 27 – Actions.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 28 – Health.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 29 – Art and Music.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 30 – Science.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 31 – Hobbies.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 32 – Business.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 33 – Animal Life.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 34 – Prefixes di-dis-.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 35 – Prefixes co-con-com-.doc
• Vocabulary Lesson 36 – Verbal Communication.doc
• Vocabulary Words, 3rd Unit
• Vocabulary Worksheet Grade 9
• Vocabulary Workshop Unit 2, 20 Words for 6th Grade
• Vocabulary Workshop Unit 3, 20 Words for 6th Grade
• Weather Climate Vocabulary
• Word Games and Puzzles
• Word List for Graduate Management Admission Test
• Words Often Confused Set 1, scan
• Words Often Confused Set 2, scan
• Workshop 1 Vocabulary Words
• Workshop 4 Vocabulary Words
• WW II Vocabulary Words

– love learning -your best ed lessons guide, Scott

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PDF Vocabulary Worksheets

• Numbers 1-10
• Numbers 0-20
• Numbers 1-100
• Companies and Products
• Prepositions of Time Answers: 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7c, 8c, 9c, 10b
• Prepositions of Place Answers: 1b, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5c, 6c, 7c, 8a, 9b, 10a

Pre-intermediate

• Collocations
• One-word Prepositions 1 Answers: 1c, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5a, 6c, 7b, 8a, 9a, 10c
• One-word Prepositions 2 Answers: 1a, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5b, 6c, 7c, 8c, 9b, 10a
• One-word Prepositions 3 Answers: 1c, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5b, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9c, 10b
• One-word Prepositions 4 Answers: 1b, 2a, 3b, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7b, 8a, 9c, 10c
• One-word Prepositions 5 Answers: 1c, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5c, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9b, 10b
• One-word Prepositions 6 Answers: 1a, 2b, 3c, 4c, 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9c, 10c
• One-word Prepositions 7 Answers: 1c, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5c, 6a, 7b, 8c, 9b, 10c
• One-word Prepositions 8 Answers: 1b, 2a, 3a, 4c, 5b, 6a, 7b, 8b, 9c, 10c
• One-word Prepositions 9 Answers: 1a, 2a, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9c, 10b

Intermediate

• Animal Sounds
• Countries and Capitals
• Countries and Continents
• Famous People
• Complex Prepositions 1 Answers: 1a, 2b, 3a, 4c, 5c, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9c, 10b
• Complex Prepositions 2 Answers: 1a, 2b, 3c, 4a, 5c, 6b, 7c, 8c, 9a, 10c
• Complex Prepositions 3 Answers: 1b, 2c, 3c, 4c, 5a, 6b, 7a, 8b, 9a, 10b
• Complex Prepositions 4 Answers: 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5c, 6a, 7c, 8a, 9b, 10c
• Complex Prepositions 5 Answers: 1b, 2c, 3a, 4c, 5b, 6a, 7c, 8b, 9b, 10b
• Complex Prepositions 6 Answers: 1c, 2a, 3a, 4c, 5a, 6c, 7c, 8a, 9c, 10b
• One-word and Complex Prepositions 1 Answers: 1c, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5b, 6b, 7c, 8c, 9a, 10c
• One-word and Complex Prepositions 2 Answers: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4c, 5a, 6c, 7b, 8b, 9a, 10c
• One-word and Complex Prepositions 3 Answers: 1b, 2b, 3a, 4c, 5b, 6b, 7c, 8b, 9a, 10c

Upper Intermediate

• Animal Idioms
• Food Idioms
• Number Idioms
• Sports Idioms
• Business Collocations

Englishfornoobs.com

English worksheets & lessons for beginners

English vocabulary exercises (with PDF)

English vocabulary exercises (pdf).

On this page you will find many vocabulary exercises, games and activities in English , whether you are a beginner or if you have an advanced level. Each exercise is available as a PDF that you can print for free, which is very useful if you are a teacher and you need exercises for your lessons, or if you are learning English alone at home and you need exercises to learn, practice, test your knowledge and thus improve your vocabulary skills.

All the vocabulary worksheets are classified and listed by theme , on all the essential subjects of today’s world, with general vocabulary useful in everyday life, but also current topics. They are presented in a very clear manner, with many examples to help you understand what to do. These varied exercises will allow you to enrich your vocabulary in a targeted and effective way.

The detailed answers for each exercise are provided with and will allow you to strengthen your skills, with examples of word use that will allow you to enrich your linguistic knowledge and at the same time serve you as a training in the English language. Memorizing English vocabulary will be very simple!

Dates in English

Days of the week

Introduce yourself

Action verbs

The human body

• exercise 1  

Fruits and vegetables

Periods of life

Babies and children

Describe the Personality

• exercise 10
• exercise 11
• exercise 12
• exercise 13
• exercise 14
• exercise 15

Feelings and emotions

The five senses

Health Problems and Injuries

Diet & Health

Cinema and movies

Environment

Countries and nationalities

Climate and weather

Ideas and opinions

School and studies

Compound names

The kitchen

Everyday problems

Antonyms (opposite words)

History & Past

Other vocabulary exercises

• Make, do have or take  exercise 1 | exercise 2
• Lend or borrow ?  see exercise
• Bring or Take?   see exercise
• Look, see or watch?    exercise 1   |  exercise 2   |  exercise 3
• Listen or Hear?   see exercise
• Say, tell, talk or speak?   exercise 1   |  exercise 2   |  exercise 3
• As or Like?   exercise 1   |  exercise 2
• Verbs of movements   see exercise

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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30 Meaningful Vocabulary Activities for Every Grade

These activities are the definition of fun!

Learning new words is like adding to your writing toolbox. Your writing becomes so much more interesting and engaging when you have more tools available. Check out these fun and engaging vocabulary activities for kids in grades K-12, and give your students the equipment they need to build their wordsmith skills.

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. Choose one student from one team to go to the front of the room and sit in a chair facing the class with his/her back to the board. This person is “on the spot.” Place a word on the board so everyone can see it except the person in the chair. One at a time, team members give the person a clue about the mystery word. If the word is guessed before two minutes are up, the team gets a point and play turns to the other team.

Learn more: On the Spot/Upper Elementary Snapshots

3. Match up words and definitions

Download these vocabulary words and matching definitions. Distribute one card to each student (either a word or a definition). Allow students to circulate in the room and find their “match.” Switch cards and repeat.

Learn more: Teach Starter

4. Sketch up some word maps

Creating word maps from vocabulary words encourages students to find the relationships between the vocabulary word and other words. Have them include words, pictures, examples, real-world connections, definitions, descriptive words, etc.

Learn more: Southern Fried Teachin’

5. Create Post-it stations

Post vocabulary words around the room, then have students circulate and write an original sentence using that word on a sticky note. Follow along and make sure students use the words correctly.

Learn more: Now Spark Creativity

6. Play a game of Pop!

Write vocabulary words on cards or craft sticks and place in a paper bag. Write the word Pop! on three to five cards or sticks and add them to the bag as well. To play, students will take turns drawing cards or sticks out of the bag, reading the word and giving the definition. If they correctly define the word, they keep the card or stick. If not, it goes back in the bag. If they pull the word Pop! they must return all their cards or sticks to the bag and start over. The player with the most cards or sticks wins.

Learn more: Pop/Not So Wimpy Teacher

7. Take a gallery walk

Hang six to eight large sheets of chart paper in various places around the room. On each sheet, write one vocabulary word. Have students work in small groups, rotating between stations. At each station, ask students to come up with a different, original way to use each word. Continue the activity until all students have visited every station.

Learn more: Teachwriting.org

8. Create vocabulary strips

Have students draw a diagonal line across an index card. On the top half, have them write the vocabulary word and definition. On the bottom half, have them draw a picture of the word and use it in a sentence. Cards can be joined together in a strip for easy review.

Learn more: Teaching Fourth

9. Play a round of Pictionary

This fun activity requires students to draw a picture for each word to create their own visual dictionary. When students create their own visual representations, they develop an association with the word that they will be able to tap into when needed.

Learn more: Pictionary/Lit in Focus

10. Make a word map

Word maps help deepen understanding of a vocab word by relating it to other words and concepts students already know.

Learn more: Word Map/Upper Elementary Snapshots

11. Use the Frayer model

Frayer models are a popular way to learn new words and concepts. Kids define the word in their own terms, then list facts and characteristics, examples, and non-examples.

12. Draw vocabulary Sketchnotes

Kids and teachers love Sketchnotes ! Rather than writing out definitions, have students draw a sketch that sums up each word instead. It’s a lot more fun and gives kids an image for visual association and to help remember the meanings.

13. Bump words along

Group vocab words together with a few other words with similar meanings and one that’s an antonym. Students identify the antonym and “bump” it to the next box, filling in the next group of words. They continue until the worksheet is full.

Learn more: Reading and Writing Haven

14. Post a graffiti wall

Think of a vocabulary graffiti wall like a collaborative word wall. In the classroom, post the words on the wall and have kids add sticky notes to illustrate the term (they can use words or pictures). Online, try a tool like Padlet or Google Slides.

Learn more: Digging Deeper

15. Match words to describe character

This is a terrific way to practice vocab words pulled from books you’re reading. Ask students to use various words to describe the different characters in the book and their feelings, thoughts, and actions.

Learn more: The Sassy Apple

16. Fill in words from A to Z

This vocabulary game is fun and challenging, and you can play it at any age. Choose a word, then challenge kids to come up with related words for as many letters as possible. These could be synonyms, antonyms, examples, and more. Trickier letters are worth more points!

Learn more: A to Z/Lit in Focus

17. Try Flip for vocabulary activities

Forever a Teacher at Heart/Twitter

Are you on the Flip (formerly Flipgrid) bandwagon yet? It’s perfect for vocabulary activities! Have kids record a quick video for each word, using their creativity to make it fun and meaningful.

18. Battle it out in Vocabulary Jeopardy

Good vocabulary activities encourage more than just memorization of definitions. That’s why we like this Jeopardy game idea. It explores synonyms and antonyms and how words are used in real sentences.

Learn more: Not So Wimpy Teacher

19. Use RAFTs to write vocabulary stories

Writing a story using vocab words is a perennial favorite, but the RAFT method gives it a new twist. Students are assigned a Role (the point of view from which they’ll tell the story), an Audience, a Format, and a Topic. For instance, they might be an astronaut (Role) writing a postcard (Format) to their friends back home (Audience) about what they’ve seen on Mars (Topic). RAFTs are especially great for kids who claim they don’t know what to write about.

Learn more: RAFT/Teachingwriting.org

20. Discover the power of words

Vocabulary words take on greater meaning when students incorporate them into their daily lives. Challenge kids to use their vocab words in conversation and writing outside the language arts classroom. Use the free printable worksheet here to help them keep track of how often they use them.

21. Create graphic organizers

Colorful organizers like these are terrific vocabulary activities. Want to go digital? Have kids make a slideshow, one slide per word. They can include the same information, but instead of drawing a picture, have them find one online that illustrates the concept.

Learn more: Graphic Organizers/Upper Elementary Snapshots

22. Focus on a Word of the Week

Give really important terms the attention they deserve. Choose a new vocab word each week, then explore it in depth day by day.

Learn more: Lit in Focus

23. Join the Million Dollar Word Club

Post a list of target vocab words. If a student uses one of the words in class (outside of vocabulary activities), they become a member of the Million Dollar Word Club! You can have them sign their name on a wall in the classroom or award a badge online. You could even develop this into a reward system for homework passes or extra credit.

Learn more: Million Dollar Words/The Sassy Apple

24. Explore shades of meaning

This is a cool idea for exploring synonyms and the slight differences that make words unique. Ask for paint sample strips at your local hardware store, or buy a clip art set . In the classroom, use these paint strips to make crafts for a bulletin board. Working in a virtual environment? Have kids print clip art strips at home or use the images to make slides or digital worksheets.

Learn more: Around the Kampfire

25. Personify a word with social media

This is one of those vocabulary activities kids will want to do over and over again! Assign each student a word and have them create a fake Facebook, Instagram, or other social media page for it. They can draw them freehand or complete a template like these from Teachers Pay Teachers . Post the images to a shared Google slideshow so other students can use them for review.

26. Play vocabulary word Taboo

In this game, the goal is for one student to get their partner to guess the word by describing or giving examples of it. The trick? There’s a list of additional words they’re not allowed to use! Let other students see the card in advance to help keep the players honest. (Flash it on a whiteboard and have the guesser face away.)

Learn more: Teaching Talking

27. Roll a die for vocabulary activities

Choose a vocab word, then have the student roll a die ( these virtual dice are handy ) to see which activity they get to complete.

Learn more: Roll a Word/Lucky Little Learners

28. Write an acrostic

Write an acrostic poem for each vocab term, using the letters to determine the first word in each line. This can get really challenging when words are longer!

Learn more: Vocab Acrostic/Upper Elementary Snapshots

29. Play vocabulary board games

Everyone knows that playing games is the best way to learn! Try some of these fabulous board games with your students and watch their vocabularies grow!

Learn more: 11 Vocab Games to Make the Learning Stick

30. Become a Word Collector

This is one of those picture books that grown-up kids will enjoy as much as little ones. Use it to remind your kids that they don’t need a vocabulary list to learn new words—new words are all around them. Encourage them to keep a word list or journal of their own to record new words they want to explore and use more often.

Buy it: The Word Collector by Peter Reynolds on Amazon

Reading poetry helps students expand their vocabularies. Check out these must-share poems for elementary school and middle and high school .

Plus, get all the latest teaching tips and ideas when you sign up for our free newsletters .

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8 Creative Ways to Use Sketchnotes in Your Classroom

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Free Printable English Worksheets For ESL Teachers

Browse our archive of completely free quality English worksheets and lessons (PDF and Word documents). Download, customize and print the resources, incorporate them in your lessons or assign them as homework to your students.

Our Massive Library of Free ESL Worksheets by Category

If you are looking for ESL worksheets for different learning areas, select the matching category. You’ll find assorted lists of worksheets and other materials there, for all levels from beginner to advanced, for all ages from kids to adults.

Reading Comprehension Worksheets

Writing Worksheets

Grammar Worksheets

Listening Comprehension Worksheets

Idioms Worksheets

Phrasal Verbs Worksheets

Noun Worksheets

Vocabulary & Conversation Worksheets

Lesson Plans (coming soon)

Below, you’ll find all our worksheets sorted by student level.

ESL Worksheets for Adults and Teens (Intermediate to Advanced Students)

These are our available worksheets on different topics for higher-level students, like adults and teens. You can download, edit and print them all for free. When you open the worksheets, there is an option to download PDF and Word files.

Intermediate Level (B1-B2)

Esl writing worksheet: opinion essay about video games (intermediate), esl lesson plan: nature & environment (intermediate), esl listening comprehension worksheet: in the kitchen (intermediate), esl listening comprehension worksheet: travel and transportation (intermediate), esl lesson plan: summer activities (intermediate), esl reading comprehension worksheet: studies (intermediate), esl reading comprehension worksheet: global warming (intermediate), esl reading comprehension worksheet: at the workplace (intermediate), esl reading comprehension worksheet: job interview (intermediate), esl reading comprehension worksheet: holiday (intermediate), esl listening comprehension worksheet: school lunch (intermediate), intermediate-advanced level (b2-c1), dialogue/debate worksheet: fast fashion – the true cost of clothes (intermediate-advanced), esl listening comprehension worksheet: technology and relationships (intermediate-advanced), esl vocabulary & conversation worksheet: job interview (intermediate-advanced), esl grammar worksheet, future tenses: traveling (intermediate-advanced), esl writing practice worksheet: newspaper articles (intermediate-advanced), esl writing practice worksheet: creating concise sentences (intermediate-advanced), esl writing exercise: creating complex sentences: las vegas (intermediate-advanced), esl everyday idioms vocabulary exercises (intermediate-advanced), esl vocabulary worksheet: food idioms (intermediate-advanced), esl vocabulary worksheet: idioms & slang (intermediate-advanced), esl reading comprehension worksheet: raising children (intermediate-advanced), esl reading comprehension worksheet: dreams (intermediate-advanced), esl reading comprehension worksheet: giving advice (intermediate-advanced), esl grammar worksheet: phrasal verbs: office & business (intermediate-advanced), esl grammar worksheet: phrasal verbs: dating (intermediate-advanced), esl grammar worksheet: phrasal verbs: sports (intermediate-advanced), illustrated esl lesson packages for kids.

Exclusively available from JIMMYESL: The following bundles include illustrated vocabulary worksheets for various exercises, flashcards, and a certificate of achievement. They’re great to help young learners memorize new vocabulary with fun!

School & Classroom Objects – ESL Vocabulary Worksheets & Flashcards

Shape Names – ESL Vocabulary Worksheets & Flashcards

Body Parts – ESL Vocabulary Worksheets & Flashcards

Esl worksheets for beginners and elementary.

These are the ESL worksheets for young students, and for beginner and elementary level students. Again, you can download all worksheets in PDF and Word format, edit and print them for your lessons. Have fun teaching!

Beginner and Elementary Level (A1-A2)

Esl reading comprehension worksheet: in the restaurant (beginner-elementary), esl reading comprehension worksheet: france (beginner-elementary), esl reading comprehension worksheet: zoo animals (beginner-elementary), esl reading comprehension worksheet: playing football (beginner-elementary), listening comprehension worksheet: the pet competition (elementary), esl vocabulary worksheet: sports activities, action words (elementary), esl reading comprehension worksheet: the world of dinosaurs (elementary), list: prepositions of place: at, in & on (elementary), elementary-intermediate level (a2-b1), esl vocabulary worksheet: weather report & forecast (elementary-intermediate), esl vocabulary worksheet: let’s go shopping (elementary-intermediate), esl grammar worksheet: using articles (elementary-intermediate), esl grammar worksheet: -ed & -ing adjectives: describing feelings & situations (elementary-intermediate), esl vocabulary worksheet: describing people (elementary-intermediate), ideas to create your own esl lesson plans.

Check these ideas for engaging and fun ESL lesson activities which you can use to easily create customized worksheets. Or browse our full list of activity ideas to find tons of inspiration and materials.

15 Engaging Community Building Activities for the Classroom

ESL Icebreakers: 8 Games & Activities For Students of All Ages

Fun ESL Warm Up Activities & Games for Adults & Kids

12 Fun ESL Speaking Activities for Teens or Adults

17 Fun ESL Vocabulary Games for Adults and Kids

120 Would You Rather Questions to Start an ESL Conversation

How to Make a Lesson Plan for Teaching English (The Definitive Guide)

The Definitive Guide on Teaching English Pronunciation

12 great esl listening activities & games.

150 ESL Conversation Starters and Questions (The Essential List)

33 Sure-Fire Strategies & Activities for Teaching English Grammar

18 Tips on Giving Great English Conversation Lessons for Adults

Reading Worksheets, Spelling, Grammar, Comprehension, Lesson Plans

Vocabulary Worksheets

Vocabulary is a fundamental learning concept but covers many different areas. We've developed hundreds of practice activities to help your student improve their vocabulary skills. You'll find worksheet activities around the alphabet, dictionary skills, Fry sight words, Dolch sight words, phonetics, homographs, homophones, prefixes, proverbs and adages, root words, shades of meaning, suffixes, synonyms and antonyms! All of our printable worksheets are designed around common core standards and cover a broad range of skill levels from kindergarten through high school.  Feel free to print copies for your classroom or at home.

Alphabet Worksheets

Dictionary Skills Worksheets

These worksheets help students to learn how to effectively use a dictionary. All worksheets are free to use at home or in the classroom. Just print and duplicate!

Fry Word List - 1,000 High Frequency Words

Homograph Worksheets - Learning About Homographs

Homophone Worksheets

Phonics Worksheets | Phonetics

Prefix Worksheets

Proverbs and Adages Worksheets

These worksheets hep students to understand the meaning of proverbs and adages, looking into the deeper meaning of these phrases.

Greek and Latin Root Words

Shades of Meaning Worksheets

These worksheets help students learn to interpret the shades of meaning behind specific words, in order to help with reading comprehension and writing.

Suffix Worksheets

Synonym Worksheets and Antonym Worksheets

Over 6,200 homeschool resources and growing!

Free Printable Vocabulary Journals for Students

Published: August 16, 2021

Contributor: Jeannette Tuionetoa

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

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. 

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. 

Jeannette Tuionetoa

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!

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November 7, 2018 VG Teaching Resources Vocab & ELA Res , Vocab Gal , ELA K-5 , ELA Seasonal Back to School , ELA 6-8 , ELA Resources - Activities , ELA 9-12 , ELA PD - Classroom Management , ELA PD - Vocabulary , ELA Focus - Writing with Vocabulary , ELA Focus - Vocabulary

11 vocabulary homework ideas and how to motivate students to do it, by: vocab gal.

Homework is such a valuable formative assessment for both teachers and students, and yet students are motivated* by many different factors when it comes to their desire to actually complete the work. In this article, I'm sharing how to motivate students to do their homework and 11 vocabulary homework ideas and worksheets that work in grades 1–12. Plus, preview and grab my 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework Kit .

Keep scrolling to find vocabulary homework ideas! 

How to motivate students to do their homework.

As a teacher, I try to concentrate students’ learning on activities done in class, because asking some students to complete work at home can be daunting. Many times in my career I have been discouraged when more than half the class does not return to class with their homework assignment complete.

Yet we only have so many minutes with our students, and we need them to practice the concepts and skills they are learning until the knowledge becomes ingrained. Most students have a homeroom, study hall, or other downtime during the day in which they could complete activities, they just have to be motivated to do it.

Many studies cite “student choice” as one of the most important factors in inspiring students to learn. When students have the opportunity to select what questions to answer, what activity to complete or what role to play, they tend to feel more comfortable and confident about performing.

Additionally, research shows that when students are dedicated to a task important to them, like improving their video game scores, or optimizing their success on a playing field, they will go to great lengths to improve. While probably not as meaningful as their video game level, students will be more excited to answer questions about themselves than a generic worksheet.

By providing students with both choice and a topic that is personally meaningful, homework can be a great learning exercise as well as an important formative assessment.

Steps to Ensure Students Complete Homework

There are a few other motivating factors that can help establish homework as a meaningful part of a student’s educational experience. Here are suggested steps a school, parish, department, or teacher might take to ensure successful homework completion.

Step One First, confirm that students have a strong rapport with their teacher(s). While it is difficult to cultivate a deep relationship with each student, teachers should strive to show students that they value their students and are committed to helping them learn and grow to their fullest potential. I would encourage teachers not to assign homework for the first few weeks of school until they develop a classroom community of respect and appreciation for learning.

Step Two Second, once the classroom community has been established, teachers should specifically explain the importance of homework as a way of deeply ingraining knowledge. Teachers should also make it clear that homework is a meaningful formative assessment where both they and their students can understand what students know and where there are knowledge gaps.

Step Three Third, some students may be quite unhappy when being mandated to do specific work. Therefore, teachers should stress the choices a student gets when completing their homework and that students get to complete the work that best reflects their own sense of self.

Step Four Finally, the teacher should praise students individually, as well as praise the class when homework is turned in on time. Many students thrive on positive reinforcement and also many may feel guilt if they let their classmates or teacher down. Additionally, as many teachers know, a word of encouragement or a small sticker can make the difference to many.

How to Respond When Homework is Not Completed

When at last it comes time for homework collection, there will be students who did not complete the assignment, no matter how well it was set up. Teachers can again encourage students who did not complete the homework in time to think about what may motivate them to complete it. If a student seems to dislike direct mandates, providing support such as, “I know that you value your learning and will find a way to demonstrate your abilities,” might be more effective than, “Turn in your paper by Thursday or it’s a zero!”

For others who seem driven by the need to please or help others, teachers might encourage students by stating, “I’m disappointed that you weren’t able to complete your work on time, and I know you will submit your work in order to show us both what you know and understand,” might work better than, “Don’t you want the credit for this assignment?”

Vocabulary Homework Ideas for Students

For this post, I have a few homework assignments that model these ideas. Both in my new It's All About Me vocabulary practice page, and my tried-and true,  7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle, students are motivated to continue their learning because they have both choice and a focus on themselves, a topic in which they are already invested.

My new It's All About Me Vocabulary Activity tasks students with answering a series of questions about themselves using vocabulary words in context. On the first page of this download students will list their vocabulary words and write their own brief definitions. On the second page student will answer eight prompts. Each response should include at least one of the vocabulary words from their list in context . In each of their answers students must underline the context clues that would help someone unfamiliar with the word understand what it means.

With the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle, students can choose from a variety of fun and engaging activities for learning or reviewing vocabulary words. In addition to the homework selection sheet, the bundle includes worksheets for vocabulary homework ideas number five and six. The other vocabulary homework options can be completed on a plain piece of paper or in student workbooks.

Here are the vocabulary activities listed on the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework handout:

#1 Say Your Words

Do you love the sound of your own voice? Do you tend to learn information by teaching others? Then try saying each of the vocabulary words, out loud and in context, to friends, family, strangers, etc. Use either your flashcards or your list of words, and make sure to get initials from someone who heard you say your vocabulary sentence. If you can’t get a signature, just explain when and how you said the sentences and we will invoke the HONOR SYSTEM! Create two sentences per word.

Do you love to write? Do you copy your notes to help you remember information? Then try writing two sentences for each vocabulary word. These can either be two individual sentences for each word or you can put all of your words together in a story. (If you write a story, you only have to use each word once). Have fun and get creative – amuse me and impress me, but make sure you use your vocabulary words in context!

#3 Write Your Words in Other Classes

As an alternative to the above “Write your Words,” use your vocabulary in your assignments for other classes – social studies essays, science notes, art descriptions, etc. Write down the vocabulary you used for this assignment (For example: On my science test I said “Newton was meritorious,” etc.). You can abbreviate your explanations slightly, as long as I understand you know the word’s meaning; remember to use each word twice.

#4 Become Your Words

Do you gesture when you talk? Is it hard for you to sit still? Then consider creating motions to go along with your words. Cry for lament , raise your arms in praise for approbation , etc. See me during class to “perform” your motions, or write them down, making sure that the connection between word, meaning, and gesture makes sense.

#5 Draw Your Words

Are you an artist? Do you constantly doodle? Then create cartoons or drawings that illustrate each word’s meaning. Create one drawing or cartoon per word and make them neat, using clean white paper (consider using recycled paper that has printing on the other side). Paperclip all your drawings together for the end of the week.

#6 Sing Your Words

Do you love to sing? Are you constantly creating your own raps? Try rewriting the lyrics to a song to incorporate each of your vocabulary words or write your own song, rap, etc. You can also write poetry; regardless of the form you choose, the words should be used in the correct context.

#7 Test Your Words

Do you want to play teacher and write the test as well as take it? Now you can! Create a vocabulary test using all the words in a variety of different types of questions. Make sure to create the answer key to the test as well.

Download the 7 Options for Vocabulary Homework bundle and have students keep the selection sheet in their binders. Now they have seven weeks of vocabulary homework assignments!

Additional Vocabulary Homework Ideas

Ultimately, establishing a culture of community and trust in the classroom, explaining the reasoning behind and the benefits of homework, and providing choice and meaningful topics can make a significant difference in completion rates. Even if homework is not completed on time, teachers can still work to connect with each student to provide motivation to complete the assignments.

As educators, we all strive to make learning exciting and applicable to our students. By setting up clear expectations and providing interesting options, we can make any homework, including vocabulary homework, meaningful and valuable to students.

 *I have recently completed Gretchen Rubin’s audiobook The Four Tendencies about what motivates different groups of people. Many of the ideas about motivating students come loosely from her book as well as my own observations. I highly recommend the book to anyone wanting to learn how to better motivate themselves and others.

Trending Post : 12 Powerful Discussion Strategies to Engage Students

5 Brain-Based Vocabulary Activities for the Secondary Classroom

Trying to find some new practice activities for your existing vocabulary units? These brain-based vocabulary approaches are unique — perhaps just what you need. 

Do your students smile at you when you begin a vocabulary lesson? Do they act interested or ask questions? Are they willing to try using the words in their own speaking and writing? Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I’m “on” with my vocabulary instruction, my students are, too. They’re into it, learning, and motivated. In contrast, when I rush through vocabulary instruction because of time constraints, lack of preparation, or simply lack of enthusiasm, my students can read me like an open book.

Previously, I wrote about increasing vocabulary retention in the secondary classroom. Retention is ultimately the goal of vocabulary instruction, but in order to get there, teachers need to differentiate their instruction and practice activities to reach all types of learners, which includes adding variety through learning styles and critical thinking levels. While I provided a few ideas regarding how students can interact with vocabulary words in the last post, I’d like to get more specific and explore several unique and creative avenues that teachers can incorporate into their curriculums. I teach ELA, but these brain-based vocabulary ideas can apply to word lists from any content area.

BRAIN-BASED VOCABULARY LEARNING

3 truths and a lie.

Games are fun. If your classroom culture calls for games, engagement, and student-directed learning, try out 3 truths and a lie. The best part about this game (other than the fact that it’s enjoyable) is that students create it. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVE making games to use my classroom . Yet, vocabulary is a perfect vehicle for students to be in charge of their learning, to create something meaningful.

Put students in charge.

I simply ask them to select a word from their list and then to write down four statements about that word. I encourage them to think about the word’s part of speech, the definition, related and unrelated words, associations they may have, and the word’s personality. One of the statements they write should be a lie.

Here’s an example:

• Ubiquitous is kind of like the plague. Even if you don’t like it, you can’t get rid of it.
• Ubiquitous is an adverb.
• Ubiquitous is cousins with the words “pervasive” and “universal.”
• If cockroaches were ubiquitous, I’d move to Mars.

Your students can get as creative (or as simplistic) as they want with their sentences. After creating them, collect the statements, and put students in small groups. Have them discuss the words and statements to try to identify the lie ( in the example above, the lie is #2 ). If you’re concerned about the accuracy of your students’ sentences and want to avoid unnecessary confusion, read through them first and have students work in groups to discuss them the next day.

Why this works: 

1. Students are doing the thinking.

2. It can be straightforward (recall) or higher-order thinking (analytical), so it’s differentiated by nature.

3. It’s engaging.

4. Students will remember many of the lies and the truths, so it will help them to retain the word meanings longer.

Bumper Words

Bumper words is a categorizing activity that helps students to learn the relationships between words on their list. If you plan to use a bumper words activity, keep that in mind when selecting your word list so that it’s easier to create the assignment. Here’s how it works. 

Teacher-Directed

You (the teacher) group the words into categories. You can make this into a worksheet or a graphic organizer, or you can just write them on the board to use as a class activity. Another option is to create a manipulative for small groups or station use. When you put the words into groups (of 3 to 5 is best), all of the words should relate  except for one . The students’ job is to figure out which word is  not related, and they  bump it to the next word group. It’s a chain effect. Here’s an example:

As you can see, in the first group of words, abase, demean, and humiliate can all be related, but extol does not fit. So, it gets bumped to group two, where students look for another ill-fitting word that is then bumped to group 3, and so on. When creating this activity, you can use words that are  not on your vocabulary list to complement the ones that are.

Student-Directed

Again, if you want to ask your students to think more critically about their words, you can ask  them to create a bumper words chain using all or some of the words on their list. This works well as a group assignment. Students could create their bumper words combinations on a piece of easel paper or large poster board, and then groups can rotate around the room to try to solve each other’s puzzles. If you choose to have students create their own examples, it would be beneficial to show them how to make one by modeling it together or analyzing an existing example first.

1. Students are thinking about the words and how they relate to other  words, thereby making associations – great for brain-based vocabulary learning!

2. Once again, this activity can be differentiated by ability level.

3. It engages students in meaningful interaction with their words.

4. It’s unique…your students probably haven’t heard of this one before. Ride the novelty wave.  

Personify a Word Using Social Media

Because social media is such a pervasive aspect of twenty-first century learning, I’m always looking for healthy ways to incorporate it in my classroom. One of the things I love about teaching vocabulary is that it can be creative. Words can be given personalities based on their meaning. I often ask students to personify a word in order to get them to think about it differently.

Word Personalities

Here are four of my favorite assignments that include word personalities using social media:

• Facebook : Have students create a Facebook poster based on one of the words on their list.
• Twitter : Ask students to create a Twitter profile and feed for a word.
• Instagram : Students can create a scrapbook or Instagram posts for their word.
• Pinterest :   Give students the task of creating a Pinterest profile for a word, including a list of boards and pins that would relate to that word.

When I give students assignments like these, I find it’s beneficial to allow them to choose a word  they want to learn  after discussing what they will do with it. I always encourage students to select a  new word…one they either have never heard of, or one they have heard of but cannot explain. By discussing the task before selecting the word, students will be able to choose a word they  want to use to complete the assignment, and ownership is key when it comes to creativity.

Some struggling readers and writers might be overwhelmed if we ask them to select any word they want, so it’s a great differentiation / scaffolding option to have a list of suggestions prepared.

Why this works:

1. In order to do any of these assignments WELL, students must think  deeply and  meaningfully about the word.

2. Students will take it upon themselves to analyze the social media outlet more closely than they have in the past. What text structures does it have? What is the common language and culture of the site? These questions must be studied and answered before creating a product.

3. It hooks students by allowing them to utilize their creativity and social natures to learn about vocabulary.

4. It is easy to incorporate technology. While students can create a poster like the one above, they could also use digital platforms to complete the assignment.  

Pictures, Short Films, & Music

A fun way to incorporate writing into your brain-based vocabulary instruction is through the use of pictures, short films, and music. They can all be used similarly for this assignment. Although numerous options exist, these three ideas are a good place to start:

Student Research

1. Simply ask students to do some research and find a certain number of pictures, short films, or songs that relate to words on their vocabulary list. You could have them focus specifically on one word and find a picture, a short film, and a song that relates to it, or you could ask them to choose ten words off the list and find one connection for each word. Either way, students are building onto existing knowledge about a word and using critical thinking skills to make meaningful connections. I like to have my students write a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining their connections to the word.

Bell Ringers

Another way to use these elements is to incorporate them as bell ringers. Each day, begin the class by projecting an image, showing a short film, or playing a song for students. After watching or listening, ask students to make connections between the artwork and words on their vocabulary list. To elicit more participation, I have my students write their thoughts first, then talk with a partner, and finally share with the class.

Give your students a sheet of small images (I like to using small pictures they can color), and tell them to match each picture to a word on their vocabulary list. They can then explain in a few short sentences why each picture and word relate. Simple but effective. Here is a resource you can use for any list.

1. Music, movies, and pictures are embedded in our culture. Students appreciate learning opportunities that incorporate media relevant to their lives.

2. This assignment is a simple way to differentiate by learning styles. It appeals to students who are musical and visual by nature.

3. Once again, forming connections to vocabulary words will help students remember them longer.

4. It can be scaffolded for students on various scales of the literacy ladder.  

I use mind maps as choice assignments throughout the year with various aspects of my curriculum. Mind maps are excellent brain-based vocabulary . activities that help students retain the definition of a word instead of memorizing it for a quiz and forgetting it.

When I assign mind maps in relation to vocabulary words, I generally have students select one word from our list instead of several because the connections will be more meaningful for them.

A good tip is to first ask students to circle any words on their vocabulary list that they cannot define on the spot — in that moment. Afterward, have them choose one word they want to study more intentionally, and then introduce the mind map assignment. If you give them the specifics of the assignment  first, they might be more likely to select an “easy” word from the list.

I like to project example mind maps (you can easily find some by googling the term “vocabulary mind maps”). Together, we analyze the structure, design, and content of the example maps to determine students’ options. We also talk about my expectations (what’s acceptable and what’s not). In this way, we essentially develop a student-generated rubric on the spot. Bonus.

What can students incorporate in their mind maps? I encourage mine to use the basics (relate it to synonyms, antonyms, and examples), but I also ask them to stretch their imaginations to incorporate visual components, categories related to the word, colors that symbolize the word, and other symbolic elements.

1. Research shows that mind maps are brain-based learning activities.

2. Thinking symbolically about a word helps students to deepen their understanding of it.

3. Mind maps require students to engage with a word meaningfully from different angles for an extended period of time.

4. It combines right-brain creative style learning with left-brain logic style learning, resulting in a powerful and memorable experience.  

Inspired and wanting more vocabulary ideas? Read this sister post in which I discuss  five more of my favorite, brain-based vocabulary practice activities for the secondary classroom .

Grab a Free Template!

You might find this free, editable vocabulary template to be helpful in getting started.

Before using any of these brain-based vocabulary strategies in your classroom, you will need to establish a solid list of words. For some inspiration regarding how to strategically and effectively select word lists, click on over to Lauralee at Language Arts Classroom . She has some insights to share with you!

RELATED RESOURCE:

This vocabulary bundle contains numerous resources to engage students in meaningful brain-based vocabulary practice with any word list.

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This is a collection of free chemistry worksheets and handouts to print. Most of the printables are PDF files, although some are available as JPG or PNG files. All of these worksheets print cleanly on normal printer paper, plus you can resize them to fit your needs.

Here is a list of worksheets. This site also has articles explaining these topics in detail.

• Label Parts of the Atom [ Google Apps worksheet ][ worksheet PDF ][ worksheet PNG ][ answers PNG ]
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In addition to these chemistry worksheets, there is a collection of word search puzzles .

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These chemistry handouts illustrate chemistry concepts and offer examples.

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Periodic Tables

There’s a printable periodic table for just about any purpose, but some of the most popular are listed here.

• 118 element vibrant periodic table [ PNG ]
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Is biology more your thing? We’ve got similar resources for the life sciences, including biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and anatomy.

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You are welcome to print these resources for personal or classroom use. They may be used as handouts or posters. They may not be posted elsewhere online, sold, or used on products for sale.

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