Semantic Expressions Activity

Approximate time: 20 minutes

Grade Appropriate: K-8th grade
Overview
In this activity, choose approximately 5 to 15 words (depending of the grade,
level, appropriateness, etc.) to use as vocabulary words. Use the following
steps in order to choose effective vocabulary for students. Then, write these
vocabulary words in the order that they appear in the book on the board. You
can display them any way you desire. Then, have students collaborate as a
whole group to create a story using those words. Then read the story from
which these words came from. This is a fun way for students to be creative
and actually use the new vocabulary they are learning.
Step by Step Process
Teacher chooses the vocabulary from the next story that will be read
aloud.
Teacher displays the vocab in the order they appear in the book.
Students then work as a large group to create a story using those words
in that order.
Then the teacher will read the actual story.
Effective Questions to Guide Vocabulary Choices
1. How useful is this word in real life?
2. How integral is knowing this word to comprehending the meaning of
the story?
3. What tier level is this word?
4. How many vocabulary words are appropriate for this class or group?
5. Choosing words to teach is an article that is very helpful in further
decisions and guidelines.

Guiding Sheet for Semantic Expressions

What are my vocabulary words? (Write in the order they appear in the
text.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Notes from the story your students come up with:
How did they use the words? Was it coherent? Did they have fun?

During/after reading the book Ask students to reflect

How did the story compare to the one they made up? Was it helpful for comprehension? How
did they use specific words differently or similarly to the story?