Word of the Week as a Curriculum, A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Age.
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Building vocabulary activities to try at home.
This post is a companion to the For the Love of Words Blog Post and vocabulary words bundle offer.
The Word of the Week is a mainstay in our homeschool birthed from my passion for words and reading. It is the one thing, along with my faith in God, I knew I would offer to my children as we journeyed through this first-generation homeschooling life. Here you will find my day-to-day approach to the Word of the Week for Early Learners with variations for Elementary, Middleschoolers, and Teens. I have an eclectic homeschooling style whereby I choose methods of study based on our interests and lifestyle, not a regimented curriculum or tradition. I often create the curriculum for our homeschool using the library, outdoors, TV, music, theater, online, bible, etc. to learn as we go. This works for our family. Perhaps this format for learning new words will work for your family, too. Scroll to your child’s age group to read how I carried out exposing my boys to new words.
Join the Home Educator’s Hub (a free curriculum-building resource site for home educators), to gain access to the free Fun to Say Words Bundle.
4-7yrs.
When I started Word of the Week 6 years ago, we used index cards, notebook paper, and a phone for recording on Fridays. My kids were 4 and 6 and I was very hands-on. That tapered off as they grew older and more independent. Since then, I created the Fun to Say Words Bundle with convenient printable worksheets to replace index cards and notebooks. The worksheets are designed to streamline the learner’s workflow. They can be placed in a binder or turned into a lap book. Using 16 of our words, you will receive everything you need and more to assist you with your own Word of the Week journey. With that said, this curriculum is doable with or without the worksheets. (*Note: the activity worksheets and guide in the bundle are slightly different than my original experience below.)
DAY 1 Introduce the word. I would write the word on an index card, phonetically and with the syllables marked. After handing out the cards, I’d challenge the boys to sound it out on their own. After some earnest and silly tries with laughs, I’d share the correct pronunciation and clap the syllables with them. They would repeat and rewrite the word on the front of the same index card. Leave the back of the index card blank. (Parent preparation includes choosing a word, index cards, and pencils.)
DAY 2 Imagine the word. I would have the boys lie down in a comfortable spot, close their eyes, and listen to a story I extemporaneously told that included the use of the word. That would take about 5 minutes depending on how imaginative I was that day. Oftentimes those stories would also include characters that had awfully familiar names and appearances to theirs. Once I concluded, we’d discuss what they thought the meaning was based on the story. I would then tell them an abbreviated meaning and have them illustrate their understanding on the back of that index card. (Parent preparation is to know the definition of the word. Choose one definition if there are multiple.)
DAY 3 Manipulate the word. Ages (4-6) The kids would be invited to use manipulatives to play with the letters of the word. I did not focus on spelling at this age. Of course, you are welcome to. (Parent preparation includes magnet letters, Bananagrams, etc)
DAY 3 Define the word. (Ages 5-7) The kids would practice using the dictionary by looking the word up and reading the definition aloud together. They would then write down one part of the speech and one definition in their notebook.
DAY 4 Use the word. The boys would review their index cards and be given 5-10 minutes to make a song, rap or dance out of the word or use it in a sentence. This appealed to our family of actors. They would share it with me and I would encourage them to share it with their dad. You can easily lean toward your child’s natural bend such as drawing, engineering, sculpting, acting, writing, etc.
DAY 5 Share the word. The boys would then read their index cards and share the word in a sentence with me in a semi-grand fashion for recording. I would record it on my phone to send to my mom and in-laws as a final presentation. They would get all the love from their grandparents for the good job they had done!
Rinse and repeat with a new word on the list come Monday.
7-9yrs
We switched to a more writing centered approach. My kids were 7and 9.
DAY 1 Introduce the word. I would spell the word out as they wrote it in their notebooks. I’d challenge them to sound it out on their own. After, I’d share the correct pronunciation and clap the syllables with them. For fun, I’d have them guess the meaning based on the sound which means we played with just the sound the word makes. cO NUN DRUM, CO nunnn DRUM, co NUN drummm.
DAY 2 Imagine the word. By now they were asking if they could tell the spontaneous story. Yes, that meant one of them got to know the word’s meaning ahead of time. I would have the boys lay down in a comfortable spot, close their eyes and listen to a story one of us extemporaneously told that included the use of the word.(Parent preparation is to know the definition of the word. Choose one definition if there are multiple.)
DAY 3 Define the word. The boys were responsible for looking the word up in a paper dictionary and writing one definition, along with its part of speech in their notebooks.
DAY 4 Use the word. The boys would have to use the word in a sentence and copy it into their notebooks. They also began to write 4 sentence stories.
DAY 5 Share the word. They would orally present the word, definition, and sentence to me and I would encourage them to share it with their dad.
ONGOING: The boys would get points toward gaming if they heard or read any of their words of the week in real life. They’d have to keep a record of each word and where for accountability. This was a motivator for a couple of years as they would relentlessly search out words in books and TV programs.
During this period, we began producing educational videos. I recently uploaded them to YouTube just for you to enjoy and be inspired.
9+yrs.
As they progressed in age, I became less hands-on.
DAY 1 Introduce the word. Write a word on the dry-erase board and challenge the students to sound it out on their own. After they try, share, or confirm the correct pronunciation, then ask for the syllable count. The first day is completed and from now on, they will be responsible for doing the rest independently. You will meet again on Day 5.
DAY 2 through DAY 4
Define the word. They can use the iPad or phone to define the word but must still write it out in their notebooks. They must include words, definitions, antonyms, synonyms, and parts of speech.
Use the word in a story. Starting Criteria: The story must have a beginning, middle, and end plus 4 sentences. As we progressed Criteria increased: Stories must have a beginning, middle end, 5- 10 sentences, Legible handwriting, and Correct grammar. I started adding different challenges each week such as, the story must have the word’s antonym or descriptive words, alliteration, onomatopoeia, irony, etc.
DAY 5 Share the word. They would share their stories aloud. Did they use the word’s definition correctly? Does the story meet the criteria? As an acting instructor, it behooved me to also focus on presentation skills at times, giving tips on projection, rhythm, enunciation, body language, etc. I would then check their notebooks for the grammar and spelling. They would have to rewrite or correct errors in real-time.
Later we added oral spelling quizzes to the mix for extra video game time.
We’ve used so many iterations of our Word of the Week Curriculum over the years that I cannot remember them all. Each were an organic expression of wanting to share my love for words with my 2 lovelies. It is something I know my boys will always remember and probably pass down to their kids. Not the details of each day but the experience each word continues to give to our lives.
I love discussing this topic and welcome any questions you may have about this WOW curriculum, our family’s approach, and the Fun to Say Words bundle offer.
Consider joining The Educator's Hub for access to a plethora of ready-made and inspiring resources that can effectively complement your curriculum.
Understanding a Theater Arts Integrated Curriculum
If you know why something is done, the HOW can be fluid and custom.
The method behind my WOW curriculum and most of my DIY homeschool curriculum stems from my studies as an Actor.
Read how theater arts played a huge part in the development of the Word of the Week Curriculum.
Introduction to the word— The best way to remember something is by establishing a connection to it. I have found the best way to establish a connection is via participation. Day 1 calls for the students to have to participate in some tangible way. That participation is presented in a way that invites a challenge or problem to solve. Day 1 Activities: Sound it out on their own. Clapping the syllables. Playing with the sounds the word makes. Very minimum writing. Theater Arts is a hands-on discipline. There is a series of drama-based educational games that can be played during the introductory phase which helps to grow a connection to the word as well.
Imagine the word— Connection continues with the use of the imagination. Participation in this phase appears passive but is possibly more active than Day 1 because the imagination is involved. Forming images related to the word is powerful for connection and retention. Creating context through storytelling is also a strategy for connection and retention. This is a common acting technique for preparing for a role.
Define the word— Here we stay active by researching and writing. It’s easier to do because a relationship with the word has been established on Days 1 and 2.
Use the word— We now appeal to the practical and practice through a multiple of disciplines. Naturally, I chose to focus on performance-related activities; writing and oratory skills; rapping, singing, filmmaking, and acting. However, the use of the word can be expanded to building a sculpture, painting a mural, engineering a solution, choreographing a dance, or whatever your hearts together can come up with. Rehearsal is a significant part of the acting process. It’s where you test theories and make the role your own.
Share the word— Practice turns into presentation by way of sharing your work and knowledge with another. Why do we learn something new? Ultimately it’s to contribute in some way to the world. It also gives a sense of ownership and accomplishment. The actor’s performance provides an outlet for a give-and-take exchange with an audience and the audience receives a perspective that may inform their lives in some way.
As a homeschooling mom for more than 9 years, I have created most of the curriculum for my boys, who are now in 7th and 9th grade. I am excited to share my curriculum ideas through my blog, workbooks, guides, and workshops. Join The Home Educator’s Hub to learn how to develop your own unique curriculum in our free Curriculum Development Course.
I offer both free and paid resources, as well as curriculum ideas, in the areas of English Language Arts, Performing Arts, Biblical Studies, History, and High School Planning. You can find my store through the link provided and stay in touch with me through my website or Instagram.