Vocabulary Doodles

 

Who?

• Vocabulary doodles can be utilized at all grade levels.

• However, READ: Seventy Strategies to Support Reading Success suggested using the strategy in PreK-8.

• This strategy can be utilized in a one-on-one setting, with small groups, or whole group.

What?

• A simple scribble mark or doodle is the beginning point for an illustration of an assigned vocabulary word.

• Students supplement their illustrations with interesting information that relates to the vocabulary words they are studying.

• They present this information to see if others in the class can guess the word, based on the clues and the illustration.

Why?

• Vocabulary doodles involve students in exploring relationships among words.

• For a given vocabulary word, students identify clues or critical elements/attributes for the word along with an illustration.

• This type of activity builds on the notion of vocabulary illustrations can enrich students' vocabulary knowledge.

When?

• Vocabulary doodles should be utilized after reading.

How?

• Draw a simple doodle starter on a large sheet of poster paper or manila paper.

• Assign a vocabulary word to a small group of students.

• Have students work with their group to research their word and identify four or five pieces of information about their vocabulary word.

• Have students use the doodle to begin the illustration of their vocabulary word. The illustration should offer another clue regarding the vocabulary word.

• Have students write the four to five items of information below the doodle.

• Have students write the word at the bottom of the page but cover it with an index card or sticky note.

• Have students present their work to the class, which tries to guess the word.