Kinesthetic Vocabulary

Allows students  total body response  to internalize vocabulary—especially for the kinesthetic and auditory learner!!

Prep/Supplies  Fifteen vocabulary words written on flash cards, one per card with the definition on the back of the card.  You will need one set of cards for each team of three students, with the words divided into packets of three.  Also, you’ll need to create a match-the-word-with-the definitions quiz

Directions  Begin by modeling for the student what you want them to do with each other. Choose three words form the list (one from each packet of divided words) and use the following sequence to teach them to the class:  Show one of the words on a flashcard to the class  Say the word for then and have them repeat the word  Act out the meaning of the word for the class  The class then acts out the word using the same movements and repeating the word. When you have completed teaching all three words, test the class by simply showing them the word and pronouncing it, and by having the class then act it out. DO NOT verbally tell them the meaning.

 Divide the students into teams of three. Pass out the flash cards giving each student a packet of five cards. At no point until the end of the lesson are they to show or tell their teammates the written definitions of the words.

 Give each individual team member 10 minutes to learn the definitions of their words and to plan a way to teach the meaning of the word to the other members of the team using physical gestures and body movements only.

 At the end of the individual study time each student will teach his/her words to the others by helping them act out the meanings of the words using the following sequence:  Show the word on one flash card to the other team members.  Say the word for them and have them repeat the word  The individual acts out the meanings of the word for the team.  The team then acts out the word using the same movements.  When the first person has completed teaching all five words, he/she tests the group by showing them the word, pronouncing it and the team acts it out.  Then proceed to the second person in the group using the same sequence and then the third.

 When each individual has taught his/her words to the team, give them 5 minutes to check for understanding, making sure each person knows the meanings with her body- still no talking.  Let students guess at the definitions of each word.

 Now have everyone sit down to take the matching quiz. Try to remember the movements you used to know the meaning of the words.

Extension!! Kinesthetic Game  Give each pair one word. Follow the directions above- but have each pair teach the entire class the symbols and the definitions.  As the teacher, stand in the middle and shout out the words one by one having the students act out the appropriate body symbol until all words are known quite well.  Have students stand in a circle with their partners. Have one person in the middle of the circle twirl around several times. Have them point to a group on the circle. The center student must count to 10 quickly. The group he/she pointed to must quickly do the symbol and repeat the word before the center student counts to ten. If a student incorrectly does any part of the symbol or forgets to say the word, that child switches places with the child in the center.  Follow the same directions as above except have students say the word, do the symbol, and give the definition.