To develop vocabulary around a specific topic  

- Ring binder and paper or some blank exercise books

- Topic pictures

- Word web template - click here for word web resources

1. Choose a topic - this can either be curriculum related (at school) or around an activity you will be doing e.g. a trip to the seaside (at home).

2. Explain that you are going to think about all the words you need to talk about that topic. Aim for 5-6 words.

3. Think about what sort of things you will see and do. You could write these down - let your child think of as many as they can.

4. Together look for pictures to stick in the book for each word.

5. Write down the word for each picture and fill in a word web template.

6. Put the word webs together to make a book that you can use to discuss your topic.

- Bingo cards - each with a list of your topic related words on it - you may wish to put a picture/symbol alongside each picture.

- A set of definitions of the words (descriptions of what the words mean).

1. Give each child/student a bingo card.

2. Explain to your child/student that they need to listen for the definition of a word and see if they have the word on their card.

3. When they hear you read out the definition for one of their words, they can cross it off their card or cover it with a counter.

4. The first person to cross off all their words wins.

- Alphabet game template

1. Print out one set of category cards and cut them out. Give each child/student an alphabet sheet, or you could fill one in together as a group.

2. Put the category cards into a pile, turned upside down.

3. Start with the letter 'a' on your alphabet sheet. Turn the caetgory card over and see if you can name an item in that category beginning with 'a'. Write it on your sheet.

3. Continue until you have completed all the letters on the alphabet sheet.

4. You can have a competition to see who completes the sheet first, or work together as a team.

- Blank sheet of paper

- Pens

- Cards with different topics on them (optional)

Write the chosen topic in the centre of the paper.

Write associated words or ideas on 'branches' coming off the centre word.

These words and ideas may have further 'branches' off them (E.g. topic may be 'body parts'. One of the branches may be 'face'. 'Face' can have further branches such as 'nose, eyes, mouth' and so on.

- What is that word questions cards - click here

Print and cut out the questions cards.

Have one person think of a word for an object, and another person, or team of people, try and guess it.

Each person takes a turn to ask a question to see if they can guess what it is - you can think of your own questions or use the question cards as a prompt.

Keep asking questions until the item is guessed.