TOPIC: Math Vocabulary Review (Vocab Flexible)
GRADE LEVEL: Flexible (depends on the vocabulary being taught)
PURPOSE: To review important math vocabulary
PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: Students should have learned the vocabulary at least once before this lesson
EDUCATION STANDARDS: This particular lesson meets math vocabulary standards at many different grade levels depending on the vocabulary selected. It is a great way to review information being taught.
Multiple Choice Review
"Today we are going to review our math vocabulary using some enactment strategies." Label each of the corners of the room with A, B, C, and D. Using the prepared slideshow or paper, show the students a word, and give them four multiple choice options. The students must select the correct definition for the word by moving into the correct corner of the room. Go through each of the vocabulary words that you will later use for Donkey.
Donkey
Players stand in a circle with the leader in the center. The leader points to a player and calls out a shape or a direction. The possible calls are:
- A shape: The leader points to a player and calls a shape. That player, plus the two players on either side of him or her, rushes to make the shape before the leader counts to three. For example, if the leader calls “Elephant,” the player pointed to makes a long trunk with one arm, while the peoples on either side each form an ear in a “C” shape. Possible shapes include: Toaster: The player pointed to jumps up and down in place (the bread), while other players hold hands across his/her front and back to make the toaster. Palm tree: The player pointed to stands tall and straight, arms at side while the people on either side make the leaves of the tree with their arms.
- “Donkey:” The leader can also point to a player and call “Donkey,“ which simply means to freeze in place.
- Bippity, bippity, bop: When the caller says “Bippity, bippity bop” the player pointed to must say “Bop” before the caller does. If caller just says “Bop” the player must say nothing.
Once students have learned the regular version of the game, tell them we are now going to create some new images. Ask what makes a good image in this game (two people on the outside doing similar thing, something three people can do that doesn’t hit neighbors, etc.). "Now we are going to use this game to review our vocabulary."
Divide students into small groups and give each group a math vocab word. Give students two minutes to create a three person shape that represents the function for that word, and then reconvene and share the shapes with the class. Review the words with class before dividing into groups if needed. Then play a new round of Donkey using the newly created math vocab game.
**You can also play this as an elimination game. Call out a word and point to a student, then count backwards from five. The students who don’t make the image within five seconds are “out” for this round.
Describe: What did we do today?
Analyze: How did the activities help you learn the vocabulary? Was it hard to create the images? Easy?
Relate: What did you notice about the work we did today? Why would we work in this way? How else might you apply the strategies we learned?