Lisa Reagan

Increasing Reading Vocabulary

TERG 3702
Word Bank

Overview: A word bank is a valuable resource for students of all ages to discovery new

vocabulary and review them. This strategy can be used with selected vocabulary from the

teacher, Fry words, words from an upcoming book, or unknown words that students come

across while reading. Students can collect new words and put them in their word bank for

future reference. This box can also be used as their personal dictionary to use new words in

their writing activities. Students can customize their box by decorating it to make it their own.

The alphabetic dividers help keep the box organized and make the cards easy to find. For early

grades, the alphabetic dividers can also help students practice alphabetical order. One side of

the card will have the vocabulary word. The other side will have the definition, or the word

used in a sentence, a picture clue may be added as well. If it is hard to access a box and

alphabetic dividers, students can simply use a notebook to collect new vocabulary words.

Materials: A student constructed box, small shoebox, or a small recipe box. Alphabetic dividers

which can be store bought or handmade by the students. Notecards to write the vocabulary

words and their meaning. Pictures may also be added to the cards to visualize the term.

Notes: