11. VOCABULARY BEAST (Discussion, Collaboration, Writing)
Description: Incorporating grammar skills with content is at the heart of this protocol.
Application: Use as a review of previously learned material.
Process: Give students vocabulary terms to tackle throughout a lesson or unit. (Work can be done in or out of class as directed by the teacher.) During review time, tell students to bring vocabulary to class. Assign students into groups of two or three (preferably two).
Instruct students that the goal of the activity is to create complex sentences, relating concepts using the vocabulary. Review the rules of the Beast: 1) There will be time limits or work until one group has used all of the terms; 2) Each sentence must be factually correct as well as grammatically correct (no run-on sentences); and 3) The vocabulary term used must be underlined. Award points for each vocabulary term used correctly in a meaningful way. In order to encourage students to write complex sentences that relate different concepts together, award points based on the sequential number in the sentence. (The first term will receive one point, the second term two, and the third term three points and so on. Remind students that each term can only be used once for points although it may be used again for no points.) Call time when students finish the sentence writing activity and direct them to “trade and grade.” Tell students that if a vocabulary sentence is called into question, the grading group needs to poll the entire class on whether or not the sentence should be accepted for points. If a sentence is deemed unacceptable, award no points.
Whitney Mohr, CCECHS
Description: Incorporating grammar skills with content is at the heart of this protocol.
Application: Use as a review of previously learned material.
Process: Give students vocabulary terms to tackle throughout a lesson or unit. (Work can be done in or out of class as directed by the teacher.) During review time, tell students to bring vocabulary to class. Assign students into groups of two or three (preferably two).
Instruct students that the goal of the activity is to create complex sentences, relating concepts using the vocabulary. Review the rules of the Beast: 1) There will be time limits or work until one group has used all of the terms; 2) Each sentence must be factually correct as well as grammatically correct (no run-on sentences); and 3) The vocabulary term used must be underlined. Award points for each vocabulary term used correctly in a meaningful way. In order to encourage students to write complex sentences that relate different concepts together, award points based on the sequential number in the sentence. (The first term will receive one point, the second term two, and the third term three points and so on. Remind students that each term can only be used once for points although it may be used again for no points.) Call time when students finish the sentence writing activity and direct them to “trade and grade.” Tell students that if a vocabulary sentence is called into question, the grading group needs to poll the entire class on whether or not the sentence should be accepted for points. If a sentence is deemed unacceptable, award no points.
Whitney Mohr, CCECHS
Reference and/or for more information:
11. Vocabulary Beast
Mohr, W. (2011). Vocabulary Beast. Cross Creek Early College .
11. Vocabulary Beast
Mohr, W. (2011). Vocabulary Beast. Cross Creek Early College .