Game Day! Day 3 of Vocab in the Art Classroom

On the third day of class, we began to put together some of the work done previously to create games.

A simple matching card game was made from our vocab lists. Jo and I made our K-1 game using illustrations with the word.

The other groups matched words with definitions.

We used colored index cards, 4"x6" cut in half and used different colors for different grade levels. At my school, we have a great group of parent volunteers every Tuesday morning so I anticipate having them make multiple sets for my classroom when school starts up again. I'll color code the diff grade levels & within grade levels have a diff line/shape design on the backs which is easy to do before they're cut up. That way, each table group in a class will have their own set. It should be a great way to review terms at the end of every grading period (or long term project) - especially as we scramble to finish projects in time for report cards - a great way to occupy those early finishers...

When all the cutting & matching was done, lamination was the last step. Again, my parent volunteers could do that for me...

I mentioned another game we learned about in a previous post - 'Save the Pig' which requires only something to write on - whiteboard or chart paper.

Magic Letter, Magic Word uses the same materials but the teacher supplies the word - posted/written - and asks the students to name as many words as they can that describes that term.

Points are awarded for every answer BUT bonus points for more thoughtful replies - notice the asterisks? Teacher determines what merits bonus points...This could be a quick fill-in game when you have a few extra minutes at end of class.

More ideas to share later - this post is long enough....

Day 2 of Vocab in the Art Classroom

On Day 2 are agenda was as follows:

Jeane, an art colleague, demonstrated how she uses vocab cards with her students. The large cards feature an illustration and the word she's teaching.

The card is held so the word is covered then the fold is opened to show the corresponding vocab word.

In addition to showing the card & pronouncing the word (breaking it into syllables) she uses TPR - Total Physical Response by creating a gesture to go with the term. So students would associate the visual - word and illustration - and experience physical movement with the word.

Paper in different colors are designated for different vocab - for example: artists, basic art terms/principles & elements and media/materials.

Our district uses a 'grammar wall' in every classroom to help develop English vocabulary.

This 'wall' can be used with our vocab - using sticky notes, we can post our words after we identify its part of speech.

Our groups began typing up the word lists and matching with illustrations. Those who weren't typing began folding the stacks of paper, cutting up the word lists and gluing everything together...busy, busy, busy...