Activity type: Word Phrases

Task: Write and/or edit 5-7 sentence fragments that do or do not fit the target word. At least one should be the correct answer. 

Student Objective: Select all words/phrases that pertain to [target word].

Examples: 

1. Select all the words/phrases that pertain to macroscopic.
   1. the rings of Saturn, which are only visible through the lens of a telescope
   2. a spider the size of a pinhead making its slow descent to the floor
   3. observing the details of the insect’s mouth using a magnifying glass
   4. the snow-capped mountain range barely visible in the distance
   5. the rapid division of skin cells viewed under the microscope
   6. seeing a well-camouflaged toad on the stone if you look carefully
   7. the thin, netted veins of a maple leaf
2. Select all the words/phrases that pertain to quietus.
   1. medication which brought relief from intense pain
   2. the librarian, who marched authoritatively through the stacks shushing patrons
   3. an alarm clock signaling the beginning of a long, arduous day of travel
   4. the signing of the peace treaty to mark the end of a years-long war
   5. the final bell on the last day of school, releasing students to enjoy their summer vacation
   6. resisting the temptation to correct someone’s poor grammar in order to spare their feelings
   7. the ad before a movie plays asking viewers to silence their cell phones

activity type: Cliffhangers (Writing Prompts)

Task: Write two sentence stems using the target word without betraying the meaning. The first stem must end with the word “because” and the second stem must contain the phrase “I remember…” 

Objective: Varies according to teacher use. Often used as an assessment tool in which students complete the sentence by including context clues that demonstrate an accurate understanding of the term’s meaning and usage. 

Examples: 

1. Target word: supernumerary
   1. After hours assembling the furniture, David curiously inspected a supernumerary screw because . . .
   2. I remember the attorney submitted supernumerary evidence in order to . . .
2. Target word: adjacent
   1. Paramita’s ideas on the matter are adjacent to my own because . . .
   2. When we built the doghouse adjacent to the cat door, I remember . . .
3. Target word: cease
   1. All activity ceased when Coach Yamada blew the whistle because . . .
   2. I remember the wind ceased before our sailboat reached the shore, causing us to . . .

activity type: Depictions

Task: Create a panel of images (1-4) that accurately depicts the target word.

Objective: Varies according to teacher use. Often used in multiple-choice quizzes or as a mnemonic supplement during study. 

Examples: