Developing Word Consciousness and Active Engagement

Classroom Examples of Developing Word Consciousness and Active Engagement

Word consciousness is extensive knowledge of and interest in words. Students who are word-conscious know many words and use them well. They are also eager to hear new words and enjoy words and word play. Activities that actively engage students, such as “playing” with words, can create an interest in knowing more about them.

1. Word Games
Use word games that involve homophones, rhyming words, or word play such as jokes, puns, riddles, tongue twisters. There are many web sites with these types of activities, including: http://www.teachersdesk.org/spell_plans.html

2. WOW (Words of the Week)
Have students choose words of the week and post them in a spot that is related to the word (e.g., the word “energetic” might be placed next to the gym). Also post the names of the students who suggested the word. Any student in the school can ask the students what the meaning is and take a guess at why it is posted where it is. At the end of the week, the students announce their word, its meaning, and why it is posted where it was.

[Integrated Vocabulary Instruction: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners in Grades K-5. (2005). Learning Point Associates. p. 26]

3. Word Wizards.
Students work in pairs with a text. They identify words that are new, interesting, unusual, funny, difficult and/or important. They write those words on their word wizard bookmarks

See http://www.fcrr.org/curriculum/pdf/V_Final.pdf, pp. 47- 50, with complete a word wizard worksheet about some of the words.