At a workshop, a teacher gave me this idea for an interactive vocabulary activity as well as permission to share it on the blog. Thank you to this awesome educator, whose name I did not manage to write down— sorry! What a fun way to build academic vocabulary!

What I like most about this vocabulary activity is that once students complete the exercise you can use it to play a fun matching game. The steps below outline how to use the Many Faces of Vocab activity in the classroom to engage students in reviewing words.

#1 Piece Together A Vocabulary-Inspired Face

First, my Many Faces of Vocab vocabulary-building worksheets asks students to create a face by cutting out and gluing onto a blank face template their favorite eye, nose, mouth, ear, and facial hair combinations from the various facial features included on the downloadable handout.

#2 Write About Each Face

On the second page of the Many Faces of Vocab vocabulary-building worksheets students will describe the features and expressions on each face, using vocabulary words. I love that the face creation makes vocabulary interactive!

#3 Use The Vocabulary Activity To Play A Game

Once all the faces have been created and their descriptions crafted, the real vocabulary fun begins! Make sure students put their student number (or name) on the BACK ONLY of their face and then hang them up on the board. Next, students put their description paper — again with their student number or name — into a separate pile, which the teacher then shuffles.

Round One

Each student receives a random description that they then have to match to the correct face on the board. Once all the students are standing by what they think is their description’s correct face, they flip the faces over to reveal if the student number/name on the back matches the number/name on the description.

Round Two

Those students that guessed correctly then move on to Round Two of this vocabulary game. All the descriptions are collected and redistributed to the Round One winners, while the disqualified students cheer on from their seats. This time, each participant has one or two different descriptions to match to faces. Continue playing these rounds until you decide it is time to declare the winners.

Everyone’s a Winner

Congratulations! Not only have these students won the game, but they have also been building their academic vocabularies. And you, as their teacher, have just played a vocabulary game that was both fun and educational!

#4 Download The Worksheets

Whether you use my worksheets as a standalone activity or to play a game, this exercise is great for students to review vocabulary words. I've created two versions of the Many Faces of Vocab activity so it can be used in all grade levels. Download them now!

#5 Tweet, Pin, Post, and Tag @VocabGal

If you use this interactive vocabulary activity in your classroom be sure to take a picture and post it online! You can tweet me here. You can post on my Facebook page here. And if you post anywhere else hashtag #vocabgal.

More Vocabulary-Building Worksheets