Word+Splash

**Word Splash**

**Content** This strategy helps to clarify terminology used in social studies curriculum.

**Grade Level** This strategy could be used for any grade level.

**Curriculum Standards** SS.O.7.3.3 define basic economic terminology and apply it to economic development of world regions. SS.O.7.4.1 use correct geographic terminology to explain direction, location, time zones, physical features of the earth

**Description of Practice** Select a key word from the upcoming unit and center it on a piece of paper. Around this word you will list additional, related terminology from the upcoming unit. Pass out this paper and then give the following directions to students: 1. Look over the center word and the vocabulary words displayed around it. 2. Choose three of the vocabulary words. Write three sentences that predict how each of the words relates to the center word. 3. Read the assigned text to check the accuracy of your predictions.

**Implementation Considerations** I think this strategy should be completed individually. Students will be able to make their own personal connections about what they already know and apply this knowledge to discover and make predictions about their upcoming unit. You should consider the terminology you select and may want to include a word or two that you are fairly certain the students already know. This will help students get started and should give them a good starting place.

**Example** [] This example shows the way word splash could be used in a middle school classroom.

[] This video shows many examples of how word splashes have been used in classrooms as references.

**Citation** McDougal Littell. (2010). //Word splash//. Houghton Mifflin Company. Retrieved from []

Gauthier, L. (1990). Word Splash. //Reading Teacher//, //44//(2), 184.