This simple back-to-school vocabulary activity is a great icebreaker and will get students immediately learning new vocabulary words. Also, this simple vocabulary activity can serve to introduce your vocabulary book, help students access previous vocabulary, and set the precedent that words are an important part of the curriculum.
Teachers also benefit from this classroom activity!
At this time of year I am desperate to learn students’ names and personalities, as I want students to feel that I value who they are as individuals. I found that Create a Name with Vocabulary Words not only helped me remember the names of my students, but gave me a glimpse of their individual personalities.
First, download and print my Create a Name with Vocabulary Words handout. Next, instruct students to flip through their vocabulary book (or alternatively a vocabulary list). Have them write down the vocabulary words that in some way describe their personalities-preferably with some alliterative or consonance connection to their own first and/or last name.
Some examples:
Elementary:
Ms. Ressler at the Center (as the teacher)
Ms. Ressler the Inventor (that’s what we teachers do every day!)
Ms. Ressler the Present Leader (this year, I’m your teacher)
Middle/High School:
Ms. Ressler the Benefactor (I am here to give you knowledge)
Ms. Ressler the Venerable Renegade (I like to flout traditions and am become respected amongst my peers)
Have the students write their finalized name (extra points/awards if they can use more than one word) on the name tag handout provided and decorate it. They can attach their vocabulary names to their desks or you could hang them around the classroom!
Common Core State Standards:
Language Standard 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown words
Language Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meaning.
Language Standard 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge