Connecting new vocabulary words to meaningful images and experiences plants those words in the brain wiring better than rote memorization. I have blogged about BrainyFlix.com before. Students use technology to demonstrate SAT words used in context. Some of the vocabulary videos are a little off the wall, but after all, they are made by kids for kids. Teachers who want to use the site for instructional purposes can screen the videos and use only those that work for them. Teachers can also use the idea behind the site and have students writing and acting out skits for vocabulary words in any subject.
Students are able to create, film, and enter their mini productions in contests that offer various prizes. (See BrainyFlix for all of the details.) Everyone is allowed to vote, so the whole family can get involved. Even oldsters like me can go on the site and find humorous examples of words not heard on a regular basis. It does make for a little brain stimulation.:)
Those pesky hard to remember SAT words come alive on SAT flashcards designed by students. Student created flashcards can also lead to all sorts of discussions and discoveries. Just letting students analyze the thinking of their peers presents a golden opportunity to determine the correct usage of the word. It's kind of like using a thesaurus. How many times have we found a teachable moment when a student chose a word substitution that just didn't quite fit?
Check the website for rules and times if you are interested in having your students enter the contest or just want to share some of the flashcards and videos as part of a vocabulary lesson.
