Vocabulary Pyramid Game

Purpose

Students give clues, make inferences, and draw conclusions about important words.

Materials

• Vocabulary Pyramid Game template (English/Spanish)

Instructions

1. Create the Vocabulary Pyramid Game with words and visuals using the template provided.
2. Organize students into thinking partners and assign each a role (A or B).
3. Reveal a word in the pyramid.
4. Student A gives clues about the revealed word.
5. Student B guesses the word from the clues.
6. When Student B guesses correctly, Student A pops up their hands into the air and says, “Woo Hoo!”
7. After hearing 7-8 exclamations, reveal the next word in the game.
8. Student pairs continue giving clues and guessing until all words are guessed.
9. Conduct an applause-o-meter quickcheck: Read one word on the game board at a time and allow students to applaud loudly for the word they thought was most difficult. Review the words that receive the most applause.

Classroom Management

• Rehearse the game using simple words (candy, soda, movie titles) before using with academic content.
• Consider using the strategy as a learning station.
• Remind students there will be no harm or humiliation for incorrect answers because correcting mistakes is a sign of intelligence!

Differentiation

• Promote access by allowing the use of vocabulary journals, student/teacher notes, and digital resources.
• Promote access by previewing words with a supportive peer or including visuals with the written prompts.
• Promote response support by adjusting the pacing of the game as appropriate.

Think It Up!

• Have students think more deeply about the concept by responding to a Think It Up prompt as an exit ticket or journal entry:
  • Can the words be classified or categorized in any way?
  • Select the 2 most difficult words and create analogies connecting each word to something familiar.
• Encourage students to use lead4ward’s Thinking Stems (English/Spanish) to frame their responses, if needed.