Download Appendix 7.4. Word Splash Purpose: A word splash is a vocabulary

Appendix 7.4. Word Splash
Purpose: A word splash is a vocabulary activity that can be used in any subject with any age
group. Students are given a list of words and asked to write complete sentences that incorporate
two or more of the words.
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Review vocabulary from a lesson or unit: This provides the teacher with information on
whether the students can use the words in context.
Preview activity: Students generate the list, given a topic or visual related to the
upcoming unit or lesson. As an advance organizer, this activity gives the students a
chance to access their prior knowledge and provides the teacher with information on what
the students may already know about the topic.
Activity to leave with emergency substitute plans: Provide directions and word lists from
previous lessons or units for students to review. This activity requires few materials and
little advance preparation. It’s helpful for the sub if the students have done the activity
before.
Procedure: Although students can do the activity individually, it is an effective and enjoyable
group activity. Cooperative learning roles could include writer, decision maker, timekeeper, and
reader.
1. Provide a list of 10–25 words, or have students generate a list as a class. The teacher can
also suggest words to add to a class list.
2. Students must then use two or more of the words in a sentence. Students may say, “X and
Y are both words on the list” or “X and Y both contain 7 letters,” so the teacher should
model what an acceptable sentence would be.
3. Students write their sentences as a team on paper.
4. Give groups a minimum number of sentences and a set amount of time.
5. At the end of the time period, the group decides on a sentence to share with the rest of the
class, along with the reason they chose it.
6. Each team shares one sentence from each group with the class by reading it aloud. If
there is time, more could be shared. The teacher can also share a sentence or two.
Other Options
 Students write the sentences in their notebooks.
 Instead of individual sentences, students could write a cohesive paragraph (good with
older students).
 It’s also interesting to debrief on reasons why some words were not used by the students.
To the substitute:
Please follow these directions for students to do a Word Splash. This activity is designed to help
students review and use vocabulary words.
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Write these words on the board:
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Read them with the students.
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Ask students to move into their groups.
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Give each team a piece or paper.
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Assign the roles of writer, timekeeper, decision maker, and reader.
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Working in their groups, students should use two or more words in each sentence. Use this
one as an example:
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One student will write the group’s sentences on the paper.
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Each group should write at least [insert number] sentences. They may write more, of course.
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Give the students [insert number] minutes to generate their lists.
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Then give the groups [insert number] minutes to study their lists and decide on one sentence
to share with the class, along with the reason they chose that particular sentence.
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Ask one member of each team to read the group’s sentence aloud and share the group’s
reason for choosing it. If there is extra time, they may choose and read additional sentences.
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Collect the papers (with the students’ names on them) and put them in the sub folder.
Thank you!