Middle School ELA Test Prep: Vocabulary Strategies

 

During "test prep season," as I like to call the fourth quarter, I have found that reviewing vocabulary is a key ingredient in success for my middle schoolers. Why? So often, how a question is asked is the key to whether the student answers it correctly or not.

For example, I read this question out loud:  "How do the interactions between (character 1) and (character 2) contribute to the plot?"

One hand shot up immediately, and before I could call any names, the student blurted out, "How in the world are we supposed to know what that is asking!?"

Indeed.

Students may know what character and plot mean, but now there are these other words - interactions and contribute - that muddle things up.

Clearly, we needed to tackle the vocabulary.

So, here are my Top 3 vocabulary strategies for Middle School ELA Test Prep:

Strategy #1.  Make a list of the vocabulary words from your test item specifications

In Florida, we now take the FAST, and the above question is one of those listed in the test item specifications. I actually found 48 words that my students need to know to decipher the questions—words like convey, develop, reveal, propel, and more!  

Strategy #2.  Have students sort the vocabulary words by standard

This helps them answer the question, "What do they want to know?" If they know the word "traits" refers to character analysis, they better understand the question's direction.

It might also be helpful to categorize fiction vs. nonfiction words just to help students focus on the right standards for the right text. If it is a nonfiction text, then character analysis is not a standard they should consider when answering questions.

Strategy #3.  Work on definitions

I do this with digital puzzles, relay races, and tic-tac-toe games.

The digital puzzles and relay races require students to match definitions with the words.  I have students complete the puzzles independently and then compete in the relay race and tic-tac-toe games in teams.  

Here's how to play the tic-tac-toe game:

1.  Draw a tic-tac-toe board on the whiteboard.

2.  Divide the class into 2 teams - the "x" and the "o" team.

3.  You decide which team goes first.

4.  Let's say it's the "x" team - each student on the team takes a turn answering a question and the first student is "up".

5.  The student is asked a question - they are either asked for the definition of a word or they are given the definition and asked for the word.  If they give the correct answer, they get to put the "x" on the board for the team.  If the student gives the wrong answer, the other team gets a chance to answer.  

6.  Go back and forth between teams with each person on the team getting their own question and the first team with 3 in a row wins!

These vocabulary strategies helped my students decipher reading test questions and improved their confidence when it came time to take the test. This resulted in a significant percentage improvement in test scores!

Want to try these activities with your own students?  I have it all prepped and ready to go!

Your students will love that there are so many FUN ways to learn vocabulary, and you'll love the results!

GET Vocabulary activities PLUS so much MORE with this bundle:

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