Vocabulary Development Resources from TeachersFirst
This collection of reviewed tools and resources from TeachersFirst promotes vocabulary development and skills for students to improve and master daily vocabulary, subject matter terms, speech/language vocabulary, and ESL/ELL language. Some are tools for study and practice of terms in any class--including world languages, while others focus specifically on written and spoken English. Be sure to check "In the classroom" for ways each resource might help in your teaching area. Share your favorites on a free TeachersFirst public page for students and parents to use for vocabulary practice outside of class.
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Evolve EdTech - Evolve EdTech
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (136), computers (109), infographics (56), podcasts (95), resources (88), Teacher Utilities (156), video (260)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free resources to add to your technology toolbox. For example, visit the Jamboard portion of the site to find and download many organizers for posing questions, summarizing, and vocabulary development. Download any of the templates to use or modify to fit your needs. Watch the short tutorials for tips and tricks on using PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams. Use the ideas found on this site to learn 24 ways to use ChatGPT, reviewed here in 24 days. Learn how to create collections using Wakelet, reviewed here, to curate and share information with students or to use for lesson planning and student projects.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Reshot - reshot.com
Grades
K to 12tag(s): images (261), photography (118)
In the Classroom
Use Reshot in the classroom any time images are needed for projects, even if the project is not put on a website for others to see. Even though the site says "no attribution required," it is a good idea to have students acknowledge, or as the site says "appreciate," the origin of the image; this will help to get students into the habit of citing their sources. Student groups can use Reshot to find the best image to use for a project collectively. Challenge students to create personalized images (with text) using PicFont, reviewed here. Teachers can collect images for use on their interactive whiteboard for sorting activities (monocots and dicots, producers and consumers, etc.). Use images as a writing prompt or in poetry collections. Art teachers can find images for students to use as references or in photo-montages (with attribution or "appreciation" as they say on the site). For an easy online photo editor and montage maker, try using Pixlr, reviewed here. Elementary teachers can use images from this site as part of student-run interactive whiteboard activities, such as labeling parts of plants. Speech and language or ENL/ESL teachers can find images to use in vocabulary development activities. World language teachers can find cultural photos to use in oral exercises.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Vocabulary Development Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): multilingual (69), vocabulary (237)
In the Classroom
Browse this collection when you have students who seem to need extra vocabulary reinforcement or choose one or two tools to use repeatedly each time you introduce new terms. Share specific links or the entire collection for students to find "what works" to help them master vocabulary before the test. Mark this collection in your favorites to have differentiation strategies at your fingertips.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Stockio - stockio.com
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creative commons (28), images (261), photography (118)
In the Classroom
Before using, share this site with students on an interactive whiteboard or with a projector and demonstrate how to save files. Ads by images can be deceiving and lead to other download sites, not to the download of your requested file.Use Stockio in the classroom any time images are needed for projects, even if the project is not put on a website for others to see. Even though the site says "no attribution required," it is a good idea to have students acknowledge, or as the site says "appreciate," the origin of the image; this will help to get them into the habit of citing their sources. Student groups can use Stockio to find the best image to use for a project collectively. Challenge students to create personalized images (with text) using PicFont, reviewed here. Teachers can collect images for use on their interactive whiteboard for sorting activities (monocots and dicots, producers and consumers, etc.). Use images as a writing prompt or in poetry collections. Art teachers can find images for students to use as references or in photo-montages (with attribution or "appreciation" as they say on the site). For an easy online photo editor and montage maker, try using Pixlr, reviewed here. Elementary teachers can use images from this site as part of student-run interactive whiteboard activities, such as labeling parts of plants. Speech and language or ESL/ELL teachers can find images to use in vocabulary development activities. World language teachers can find cultural photos to use in oral exercises.
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Grammar Words - myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): crosswords (19), grammar (133), grammar review (31), spelling (97), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work with a partner to try out the puzzles on their own. Challenge students to try to create their own word puzzles using a site like HTML Crossword Generator, reviewed here, if you are just beginning to integrate technology into your classroom, or Educaplay, reviewed here, if you and your students are experienced tech users. Share them on a class wiki.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Animals in their Habitat - myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): animal homes (56), animals (284), habitats (86), spelling (97), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Share the puzzles on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work with a partner to solve the puzzles on their own. Challenge students to try to create their own word puzzles using a site like Just Crosswords, reviewed here, if you are just beginning to integrate technology into your classroom, or Educaplay, reviewed here, if you and your students are experienced tech users. Share them on a class wiki.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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USA Gold - Scholastic and USA Gold Pencils
Grades
K to 6tag(s): narrative (14), poetry (189), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Share this site with an interactive whiteboard or projector, then provide resources at a learning center for poetry writing. Encourage students to submit entries to contests when available! Have students or groups brainstorm ideas for poems using Padlet, reviewed here. The Padlet application creates free online bulletin boards. After creating poetry, have students create a word cloud of their poem using a tool such as Word It Out, reviewed here. Create a class poetry book using Ourboox, reviewed here. Ourboox creates beautiful page-flipping digital books in minutes, and you can embed video, music, animation, games, maps and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Dotstorming - Gareth Marland
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): bulletin boards (15), gamification (78), images (261)
In the Classroom
Share your board with a projector or interactive whiteboard. Put the URL link on your website for students to access. If you don't want to share the link that way, then use a tool such as Stich, reviewed here, for students to type in (and reduce input mistakes). You may want to think about students using only their first name or their code to participate. Dotstorming does not show which posts belong to which student, so you may want to require that students identify their post and comment by putting their initials, their first name, or their code on their contributions to get credit. If you plan to allow all students to post to the wall or make comments, you may want to discuss Internet safety and etiquette and establish specific class rules and consequences.Use Dotstorming to collect WebQuest links and information to share with students. Assign a student project. For example, have students create a board about an environmental issue. They can include pictures, video, links, and other information to display. Use as a new format for book reports. Do your students have favorites such as music or sports? Create a board around these favorites or hobbies. Use a wall for grammar or vocabulary words. Create walls for debates or viewpoints. The voting is perfect for that idea! Post assignments, reminders, or study skills on a board. Do you use student scribes or reporters? Use Dotstorming to create a board with class news and updates.
Use Dotstorming as an "idea bin" where students can collect ideas, images, quotes, and more for a project. Require them to share a brainstorming Dotstorming board to show you the ideas they considered before they launch into a project. Have them brainstorm (and rank by votes) the possibilities for a creative problem solving or a "Maker Faire" project. In writing or art classes, use Dotstorming as a virtual writer's journal or design notebook to collect ideas, images, and even video clips.
Use Dotstorming as your virtual word wall for vocabulary development. Have students submit and share questions or comments about assignments and tasks they are working on.
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Super Power Speech - Caroline Bowen
Grades
1 to 5This site includes advertising.
tag(s): professional development (402), social skills (22), speech (67), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Whether you are a speech pathologist, social skills/autistic support teacher, or a classroom teacher, find extra resources here to help children with speech and language needs. Also read the discussions to help build social skills or even to improve literacy. Read through past blog entries. Brush up on the latest to be sure you are current! You may also find some specific ideas to share with these students' parents at conferences so you can work together in supporting their child. Primary grade regular ed teachers will find vocabulary development activities appropriate for any student, not just those who are identified.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Flippity - Flippity.net
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): flash cards (42), game based learning (179), quiz (66), quizzes (91), test prep (67), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
This is a fantastic tool for vocabulary development in any subject area! Create flashcards for your classes or have them make their own using individual or a whole class Google account. Use them as an introduction to a concept, then again in the practice of the concept, and again as a final review. It is a nice three-for-one deal! Use with science terms or for standardized test preparation. Have students create flashcards and share with each other to quiz themselves within their own groups. Encourage students in upper grades to create their own spreadsheet and flash card sets. Show them how to carefully read through their classroom notes and underline the most important word or words in a sentence. Then have them leave out the most important words for their flashcards. Learning support teachers might want to have small groups create cards together to review before tests. Have students create flash card sets to "test" classmates on what they "teach" in oral reports. Create and collect sets of vocabulary cards for your world language or ESL/ELL classes.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Games to Learn English - Owen Dwyer
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (179), multilingual (69), preK (261), sentences (22), sequencing (17), spelling (97), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Although created for English language learners, this is an excellent site to develop vocabulary (and computer skills) for younger students. It also helps with speech/language vocabulary development and grammar reinforcement for special ed. Share this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Complete the activities as a class with a student operating the board. Create a link on classroom computers and challenge students to increase their speed in completing games.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TV411 - Vocabulary - Education Development Center, Inc.
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): antonyms (13), dictionaries (47), prefixes (9), reading comprehension (142), root words (10), spelling (97), suffixes (8), synonyms (16), thesaurus (21), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Any vocabulary development unit needs to include lessons about how dictionaries and thesaurus' work. View videos on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) as part of your dictionary/word-study unit. Use on an as-needed basis to address classroom deficiencies in particular areas. Have students complete the web lessons on their own during computer center time. Create links to particular videos on your class website or blog for students to view at home. Check out the Teachers portion of the site to find activities for specific skills along with ideas for using the videos in the classroom. Challenge students to create a talking avatar using a photo or other image (legally permitted to be reproduced). The avatars can be used to provide suggestions on improving vocabulary and writing skills. Use a site such as Blabberize, reviewed here, to added audio and annotate the image.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Pixabay - Pixabay
Grades
K to 12tag(s): creative commons (28), images (261), photography (118), search engines (49)
In the Classroom
Use in the classroom any time images are needed for projects, even if the project is not put on a website for others to see. Be sure students are aware that any time another person's image is used, they must give full credit for it, even if that owner cannot see it. Student groups can use Pixabay to collectively find the best image to use for a project. Enhance classroom technology use by challenging students to create personalized images (with text) using PicFont, reviewed here. Teachers can collect images for use on their interactive whiteboard for sorting activities (monocots and dicots, producers and consumers, etc). Use images as writing prompts or in poetry collections. Art teachers can find images for students to use as references or in photo montages (with credit). Elementary teachers can use images from this site as part of student-run interactive whiteboard activities, such as labeling parts of plants. Speech and language or ENL/ESL teachers can find images to use in vocabulary development activities. World language teachers can find cultural photos to use in oral exercises.Comments
A legal (yet, illegal in every sense) extortion letter from Getty Images ignited my need to find another source of genuinely free images online. Hence, ended up finding this awesome free source of truly free images online i.e. pixabay.com. I fear all the time that such a great source could easily be bought (gobbled up) by greedy and infamous businesses i.e. Getty and we will have to find some other source for genuinely free images. Until that happens, let's all enjoy the free ride.pin, , Grades: 0 - 12
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New Math - Craig Damrauer
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): creativity (90), logic (163), puzzles (143), vocabulary (237)
In the Classroom
Display a new slide on your interactive whiteboard (or projector) weekly as a conversation-starter in a math class, social studies class, or gifted classroom. Ask students to explain what the equation might mean. Challenge students to create their own new math word equations and share them using a talking avatar using a photo (legally permitted to be reproduced). Use a site such as Blabberize, reviewed here. Much of the vocabulary used with the equations is very advanced. Use this in English class for vocabulary development. Then challenge students to create some of their own "equations" with other new vocabulary words.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Word Hippo - Wordhippo.com
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): antonyms (13), dictionaries (47), spelling (97), synonyms (16), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Use this site for vocabulary development and word study assignments, such as writing sentences, paragraphs, or essays using new words. Since the site permits translation, this would be a valuable tool in world language classes, ENL/ELL classes, and more. Introduce this site on an interactive whiteboard and elicit examples to show the class how quickly it works. Have students create their own word walls with synonyms, antonyms, sentences, and more for their latest vocabulary words. Try a tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, for each student to create an online "wall" with words aligned to color coded stickies for synonyms. antonyms, etc. Alternatively, have students create class challenges for their peers with color coded matching activities for the interactive whiteboard matching words to synonyms, antonyms, and an appropriate fill in the blank sentence. Share this as a favorite on your teacher public page for handy reference any time students encounter an unknown word. Even subject area teachers such as science and social studies will find this tool handy for students with weaker vocabulary levels.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Presidents' Day - Myvocabulary.com
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Have students work in cooperative learning groups, divide up the vocabulary words, and have each group find the definitions for their assigned vocabulary words. Have them create word games for interactive whiteboard, if you have one, such as matching or ranking activities that use these words. Have the groups share their words and definitions in an online book, using a tool such as Bookemon reviewed here. Have the groups share the online books on your interactive whiteboard or projector. If you don't have the time to complete online books, have students share the definitions using a class wiki. Be sure to also check out the interactive word puzzles!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Knoword - Trevor Blades
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): game based learning (179), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Try this activity at the start of class on your interactive whiteboard or projector; it's perfect for vocabulary development with a lively twist! Offer this site to your students who are trying to assess and/or improve their vocabulary for standardized tests such as the ACT or SAT. ENL/ELL students may also enjoy the challenges and additions to their vocabulary. Share this site on your class webpage or blog for students to access (and practice) at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Learning Chocolate - learningchocolate.com
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): chinese (44), japan (56), japanese (48), spanish (105), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87), word study (58)
In the Classroom
Save/bookmark this site on your classroom computers to serve as a vocabulary resource for ESL/ELL and also world language students. Introduce this site on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then have students explore this site independently or in small groups. Share this site with Chinese, Japanese and Spanish teachers as well as with special needs professionals for help with vocabulary development and articulation. You could also have students create their own narrations of photos (similar to this site) using a site such as Google Drawings, reviewed here. Google Drawings allows you to annotate an image with links to videos, text, websites, and more. Not familiar with Google Drawings? Watch an archived OK2Ask session to learn how to use: OK2Ask Google Drawings, here.Comments
This is one of my favorite resources! Works great with ESL students from 4-104!Marina, VA, Grades: 0 - 12
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Groundhogs Day - Myvocabulary.com
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): holidays (170), vocabulary (237), vocabulary development (87)
In the Classroom
Try these thematic puzzles as your vocabulary of the week in early February. Have students work in cooperative learning groups, divide up the vocabulary words, and have each group find the definitions for their assigned vocabulary words. Have the groups share their words and definitions in an online book, using a tool such as Bookemon, reviewed here.) Have the groups share the online books on your interactive whiteboard or projector. If you don't have the time to complete online books, have students share the definitions using a class wiki or create their own interactive whiteboard activities to challenge classmates to match words and definitions. Be sure to also check out the interactive word puzzles!Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free English Lessons Online - esolcourses.com
Grades
2 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): grammar (133), listening (86), reading comprehension (142), vocabulary (237)
In the Classroom
You may want to complete some of the selections with a projector and your interactive whiteboard for the whole class as there are listening activities, reading activities and quizzes about holidays, etc. You could differentiate by having small groups of students or individuals listening and reading at their different levels while you work with another group, or small groups of students can listen at a station that is one of several literacy stations in your classroom. Since each of the selections has activities in several language arts strands, one selection could make up your student's instruction for the day, or week. Students could rotate through a station for listening, one for vocabulary development, etc.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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