Imagine That Word!
Expanding Vocabulary Through Visual Imagery
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 1: Beginning LiteracyStage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Stage 3: Literacy for Growth
Ages:
6-9
Grade Range:
1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary: Vocabulary
Activity Description
Preparation:
- Find pictures for each of the new vocabulary words you will teach
- Brainstorm a situation or visual image for each new vocabulary word that you can describe aloud
- Record the situations so you can easily refer to them during the lesson
Implementation:
1. Share a vocabulary word and define it
2. Show images related to the word
3. Model how to create a visual image
a. Close your eyes and ask the student to do likewise
b. State the vocabulary word and describe your image
4. Invite students to create their own visual image for the same word
a. Allow students 1 minute of silence to visualize the vocabulary word
5. Ask students to share their visual images with a partner
6. Select 3 or 4 students to share and discuss their visual images/representations with the whole group
a. Ask students how they came up with the visual images and discuss similarities and differences
7. Repeat for the additional vocabulary words
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Use visuals to represent the new word - Use basic language during modeling - Allow students to draw their visual image
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- Create a chart with images which maps the steps of the visualization process
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Ensure words and pictures are representative of diverse populations - Encourage and accept visual representations that differ from your own
Differentiated Instruction:
- Pair students of differing ability - Use models or physical manipulatives for vocabulary words for students with visual impairments
Related References
Source: McQuirter Scott, Ruth. (2008). Knowing Words: Creating Word-Rich Classrooms. Toronto, Canada: Nelson.
Evidence: McKeown, M. G., and I. L. Beck. Direct and Rich Vocabulary Instruction. In Vocabulary Instruction, edited by J. F. Baumann and E. J. Kameenui, 13-27. New York: Guilford Press, 2004.
Activity Objective
The goal of Imagine That Word!: Expanding Vocabulary Through Visual Imagery is to encourage students to use mental images to learn new vocabulary words.
What You Need
Prep Time:
10 minutes - Select new vocabulary words you would like to teach - Collect images for each new vocabulary word - Brainstorm various sentences in which you can use the word in context
Task Time:
10-20 minutes - Teacher models visualization of new vocabulary word - Teacher asks students to visualize the vocabulary word - Students share and discuss their visualizations - Teacher presents a situation involving the vocabulary word - Teacher encourages students to imagine different situations involving the new vocabulary word and to share feelings/thoughts about their imagined situation
Materials Required:
Teacher: - Photos of new vocabulary words - Tape or magnets
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Modeling: - when providing an example Facilitator: - during class discussion of students visual images Consultant: - while students share their visual images with a partner
Student Grouping:
Whole class: - during modeling and class discussion of different visual images Pairs: - during sharing of visual image visualizations Individual: - during visualizations of the word and when describing situations involving the word
Assessment Ideas:
- Ask students to define vocabulary words that were introduced - Record anecdotal notes
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- This recipe can be used during story telling for further practice
Additional Comments:
- Introduce new vocabulary words each week using this activity
