Sunday, October 30, 2011

Teaching Vocabulary #2 - Flashcards

Printed flashcards is a great tool for students to visualize words, pronounce them, learn its spelling, hear you say it.  You can also use it over and over again without having to mess around with technology.    This is something I use as a warm up review the next day or as a summarizer at the end of the lesson.  So make sure that you make them prior to introducing the new lesson.

How to make it:
1)  Use Word or this online link to making flaschcards.
2)  Large simple fonts such as Times Roman or Arial Narrow size 150 or higher
3)  Landscape view
4)  Cut the edges of the prinout, then tape it to construction paper. 
     **** the words will look like photo on frames.
5)  For dramatic effect, use dark papers such as red, blue, green, black, orange, purple
   **** plain dark papers makes great borders and more importantly, it makes the word stand out
   **** don't use scrapbooking papers with designs as it tends to overpower the words
   **** use the same color construction papers if they are related to a main topic
6) Don't print words on color paper
  **** white paper is easier on the eye
  **** Remember the whole idea is for students to focus on the word, not on the surrounding color!
7) Put answers in the back
  ****print it out, cut, then tape so it looks like a border.

Keep the flashcards in a clear plastic box so students can see them. 

If you make it sturdy enough, you can use them over and over.  You can ask students to help you out too.

Photos of flashcards:

Files of flashcards:

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