How do you review vocabulary in the language classroom?
Resolutions are meant to be made in the New Year. I have a million I can make personally and professionally. What I really want is to make sure my students are prepared to move forward in the curriculum after returning from a long holiday break. When students return from the break they will need time to review and revisit what they have been learning. The New Year is a great opportunity for students to do this before moving on to the second semester. Starting off the year with a good review of vocabulary can be a good way to get students back into the groove of learning ASL.
The starting of a New Year generally means a new semester. For students, this can mean starting the semester with a fresh start. Reviewing vocabulary at the start of the term means moving students in the direction of success that will continue until the end of the school year. Students get to start the second semester with all the knowledge they have obtained since September. However, long vacation time keeps students away from the classroom. We need to give students the opportunity to review, revisit, and recharge.
Review Vocabulary
When you welcome back students in the New Year, make sure you are prepared to review material learned in the first semester. You will find that not all students have retained all concepts and vocabulary; even top students will need to refresh their skills. A time to review vocabulary and work with the older material will build a student’s confidence and better prepare them for vocabulary and communication in the second semester. And let’s face it, playing some fun review games will help students get back into it…and maybe wake up!
Revisit
Revisit work students have already done. Have students go through old work and videos. Students who can analyze their own work and discover errors and strengths will be more likely to perform better on future projects. Allowing students the time to reflect on the learning experience. Also, students can work with their peers to analyze work.
Recharge
Getting kids inspired to learn after the break is a difficult task. Try to be extra creative with teaching when 
returning from a long break. Change up how you teach vocabulary, provide lectures, or assign activities. Playing games is a great way to engage students after the break and an exceptional way to review. Here are some game ideas here to review vocabulary.
Have you heard of the game Bean Boozled? This is a game that will surely get your students going. Each player spins a spinner to determine the color of the jelly bean to eat. The flavor can be one of two: a yummy delicious flavor or a disgusting flavor. Students can work in groups or play against a partner depending on the number of game spinners you have.
How to play Bean Boozled
Whole Group Vocabulary Review
- Group your students into groups of 4.
- Have each student in the group number themselves or you number them- 1, 2, 3 etc. Use the numbers to determine whose turn it is to hold up the group answer and to spin the spinner for a chance to be “Bean “Boozled.”
- Give a vocabulary word or a sentence
- Each member of the group writes the word or sentence on a piece of paper on their own and then the group discusses the answers to come up with a group answer. The students will take turns (using their numbers) recording the answer on a whiteboard to hold up at your signal.
- Groups with correct answers send the student whose “turn” it was up to spin for a chance to be Bean Boozled.
- Groups who missed the word or sentence can go to the next person or allow the person another chance – your choice.
Who will get Bean Boozled?
Small Group/Station Vocabulary Review
Tell students to do the following:
- Place yourself in groups of 4
- Number yourselves 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
- Each member of the group answers the first vocabulary word or sentence. The group will judge if the answer is correct.
- Group member #1 spins the spinner for a chance to be Bean Boozled.
- Continue answering questions and taking turns spinning the spinner until all the questions have been answered.
Who will get Bean Boozled?
You copy the directions above and project before playing. Tell us how your Bean Boozled activity went. If you find students don’t want to participate in this activity, have them play Jenga or another review game.
- Jelly Belly BeanBoozled jelly beans. Weird and nasty flavors mixed with regular ones. Lift the lid, lower the lid, and like magic, a bean appears! Makes a great game.
- All Jelly Belly jelly beans are OU Kosher. Gluten-free, peanut-free, dairy-free, fat-free, and vegetarian friendly.
- Watch the BeanBoozled video on YouTube and take the BeanBoozled Challenge…we dare you!
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