Essential Vocabulary Review Activities
Research suggests that in order to retain new concepts, students must review them within two days. Terms and concepts must subsequently be used a minimum of seven times. Below is a list of resources that may be used to review target terms.
Free Association	Have students freely state or write all terms that relate to a specific vocabulary term	Sample
Comparing Terms
Sentence Stems	Sentence stems guide students to compare and contrast terms within like categories. For example "A is hot and B is cold" versus "A is hot and B is yellow".	Template Sample
Venn Diagrams	Number contrasting items so as to ensure that categories are consistent.	Template Sample
Double Bubble	This is similar to a Venn Diagram in that it clearly differentiates between similarities and differences.	Template Sample
Matrix	With a matrix, two or more items can be compared and contrasted across categories.	Template Sample
Classifying Terms	Structured classification involved providing terms and categories. Open-ended classification involves providing terms and allowing students to develop their own categories. Upon completion, make sure students can justify their classification schemes.	Sample
Analogies	Students complete analogies (A is to B as C is to D). One or two terms may be left out. Students must be able to explain the relationship between the sets of term.	Template Sample
Metaphors	Metaphorical and analogical thinking require a high degree of critical analysis.  Model the process as follows: (1) List the terms specific characteristics, (2) Rewrite the characteristics in more general language, (3) Identify another specific term with the same general characteristics.	Sample
I Have/Who Has?	This quick activity encourages all students to listen carefully to a list of terms and their descriptions which may or may not be within the same category. Randomly copy all terms and descriptions on play pieces and distribute among the students in your class or small group.	Template Sample

* All but the last activities have been summarized with permission from Building Academic Vocabulary Teacher's Manual, Marzano and Pickering.