Building vocabulary is an ESSENTIAL part of the learning process – especially for language learners! Using VISUAL vocabulary to deepen language learning is crucial.

So how do we make the most of these vocabulary visuals? How do we use them in consistent and varying ways? What strategies will not only ensure these are added to our students receptive vocabulary bank, but their PRODUCTIVE vocabulary bank as well?!

Flash Cards

Simply show the cards one at a time and have students repeat the vocabulary word. I would start with this in whole group to ensure that pronunciation and understanding are secure. Afterward though this activity could be done in small groups, pairs, or even individually.

Word Wall

Display cards on a bulletin board, room border, or other central location that contain the vocabulary word AND an image of the word. Make sure to take time to teach the words, review the words, and switch out the words as you use them.

If the words remain all year, they unfortunately just become extra noise in the space. Previous word wall words could become an independent learning station or small group rotation activity down the road.

Beginning/Ending Letter Sounds

This simple activity will have students identifying the beginning letter of the vocabulary word or alternatively the ending letter. You could even have them identify other letter patterns like vowel pairs, silent letters, blends, digraphs and so on to connect with phonics skills you are working on in class at the time.

Scavenger Hunt

Post the image and word vocabulary cards around the room. Have students move through the space to find them and add them to their own individual notebook, notecards, or papers. This activity is sometimes called Write the Room but it can definitely be done in multiple ways!

Students could work individually on this activity or in pairs for extra support and fun! Click on the link above or the image to the right to get a free WRITE THE ROOM template!

Find Someone Who

Split your students into two groups. Give half the class the image card and the other half the word card. Have students walk around the room to find their partner. Then have students sit down together to write one, two, or more sentences using their vocabulary word.

Mix the cards up and have them do it all over again!

Rapid Guess

This activity is by far my students’ favorite. I use the image only cards for this one and it works best in a small group. I sit in front of the students and show one image at a time. The first student to name the vocabulary word wins that card. The student with the most cards at the end is the winner.

Note: it is important to do this activity after students have already been introduced to the words and had some time to learn them. Additionally, having leveled groups for this will work best as you won’t end up having only one student getting all of the cards.

Memory Match

This activity might be one of my favorites. For this activity, you would want the words and images on separate cards or print double of your cards with both the word and the image on it.

To target speaking, you can require students to say each word out loud as they flip them up and even have students produce complete sentences with the target vocabulary when they’ve made a match!

Go Fish

For this activity you’ll either use double of the word + images cards or and image only and word only cards. Start by giving each student five cards and then students can take turns asking a classmate if they have one of the cards in their hand. The student with the most pairs at the end is the one who wins.

This is a great activity for language learners to work on their speaking skills. They’ll use the target vocabulary, but they’ll also use social language to navigate the rest of the game! Extend the activity by having students create their own sentences verbally as they gain pairs or in writing when the game is all over.

Catch Phrase/Heads Up

This activity is similar to Catch Phrase or Heads Up if you’re familiar with either of those. Students pick a card and then have to give clues about it to help their teammates or small group guess the vocabulary word on the card.

This activity is especially great for our learners who already have some working knowledge of the language or content because it forces them to think more deeply and specifically about the target word.

Writing Center

Organize an independent writing center where students use the target vocabulary to create their own sentences. Boost the challenge by requiring them to use multiple words in the sentence or by setting a target of using at least five or more words in the sentence.

Leave models at the station to help guide students as they work. I recommend written instructions that use highlighter, underlining, and bold lettering to draw students’ attention to HOW they are required to build their sentences. Additionally, doing this as a whole class activity (a “we do” approach) will help make the independent writing center more successful.

Looking for Vocabulary Sets to work with?!

I’ve got a whole bunch coming your way! CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES BELOW to get more details about each set!