Helpful Science Vocabulary Activities for Students
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Many kids love science because they enjoy conducting experiments and learning about the world around them. Not as many kids love learning new vocabulary words. Knowing the lingo is part of learning science, though. Thankfully, these science vocabulary activities are a great way to make mastering the vocabulary a little easier.
These science vocabulary activities can be used with pretty much any grade level and any science subject.
For example, elementary students might use these activities to learn new words in their water cycle unit. Middle school students might use these activities while learning about animal cells. High school students might find these activities helpful as they work their way through biology.
These science vocabulary activities are intended to complement other types of school work such as reading, hands-on activities, lab experiments, and watching videos. Knowing the vocabulary well makes everything else just a little bit easier!
Please do not feel like you need to do every activity with every set of new words. Do as many as necessary to memorize the science words and then move on.
Some students might benefit from doing a few of the activities for every word on their vocabulary lists. Others might only need to do the activities for the key vocabulary words that are unfamiliar. You know your student best, so please personalize this vocabulary instruction to their educational needs.
Science Vocabulary Activities
Make Word Wall Posters
Word wall posters are great for visual learners. The activity is pretty straightforward.
On a poster or large piece of paper, write the science vocabulary terms that go with the science unit. Leave space to illustrate the words. Then draw an image that helps you remember the definition next to the corresponding word.
If you have room, hang the poster somewhere your student can see it often. This might be in the school room (if you have one), the dining room, or their bedroom.
If you do not have room to hang the poster, or just don’t want to display it, consider doing this vocabulary activity on notebook paper. The papers can be hole-punched and stored in a science notebook or binder.
Make a Personal Glossary
A personal glossary is incredibly helpful for a few reasons:
- It is convenient – the glossary is located in a science notebook instead of a thick textbook
- The definitions are written in your own words.
- It doesn’t need to contain every single science term. This leaves plenty of room for words that are more challenging.
- The act of writing a word and its definition can help increase memorization
Making a personal glossary only requires paper, a writing utensil, and a place to get definitions (curriculum, textbook, or dictionary). I like to do this in a science binder because then it is easy to add extra paper. Tabbed dividers will help keep the science binder organized.
Simply write the term and the definition. I like to start with one piece of paper for each beginning letter so that it is easy to find the word you need.
Science Vocabulary Roll a Word
All you need for this activity is the science vocabulary roll a word directions paper in the science vocabulary activities bundle, your list of words, a die, and paper to write your answers.
The way it works is that you will roll a die for each vocabulary term. There are activities assigned to each number that the student could roll.
1 – Write the definition.
2 – Draw a picture of the vocabulary word.
3 – Use the word in a sentence.
4 – Does the word have a pre-fix, root word, or suffix? If so, identify it.
5 – Identify the part of speech.
6 – What is an example of the word?
You can decide how many times you want a student to roll a die for each vocabulary word. I suggest 2 – 3 times so that they are doing a variety of activities, but you can lower or raise that number based on your student’s needs and the time available.
Bingo
Bingo is a classic fun game that can be tailored to just about anything. This works best in small groups but can be used as a review activity with just one student. That student will just always win. 😉
Write the science vocabulary terms on blank spaces of the bingo card in the science vocabulary activities bundle. The teacher will call out the definitions and the students will cover up the appropriate term.
Frayer Model Graphic Organizer
The Frayer Model is a type of graphic organizer that works well for learning vocabulary. I have included a blank Frayer Model template in the science vocabulary activities bundle. Your student will need a new copy of the page for each vocabulary word, so I recommend sticking to the key terms in a science unit study or chapter.
This activity builds a deeper understanding of the scientific vocabulary by asking students to write four things:
- The definition of the word – This can be in a student’s own words or a dictionary definition.
- Facts and characteristics of the word
- Synonyms, or related words, for the word
- Antonyms for the word
As students are going through this process, they have to think deeply and critically about the vocabulary word.
The completed Freyer Model graphic organizers can be stored in the science binder.
Memory
Science vocabulary memory works just like any other memory game. It can be played independently or in small groups. If a group is playing together, just use one set of science terms and definitions.
To set up the memory game, write science vocabulary words on half of the boxes on the template in the science vocabulary activities bundle. Write the definitions for those words in the other boxes.
Then cut out the boxes on the lines. Turn all of the pieces over so that the words are not showing. Move the papers around a bit so that the players do not know where each word and definition is on the table. Now just take turns trying to match the definitions with the vocabulary words.
Vocabulary Doodle Notes
Doodle notes are another type of graphic organizer.
Students write down the science term in the box labeled ‘Word’. Then write the definition. This can be in their own words or from a dictionary. Next, they doodle a little drawing for the word.
The goal is to create a mental picture of the word and its definition. Having a mental picture can be a great tool for visual learners.
There is a blank vocabulary doodle notes page in the science activities bundle. Each page has space for three vocabulary words, but you can print out as many copies as you need.
The science vocabulary activities bundle contains 5 fun activities for students to learn new terms. They are so much more fun than just memorizing word lists.
Keep reading . . .
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- The Best Free Science Curriculum Options
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