Academic language in science is a must! Acrostics are an excellent tool for students to practice their new science vocabulary. {Scroll down to sign up for your Sun, Earth, and Moon Acrostic Freebie.}
This versatile strategy can be used in many ways:
- whole class activity (great for introducing the strategy)
- partner activity
- bulletin board idea
- Interactive Science Notebook output choice
- station
- end of unit assessment option
How can you introduce the Acrostic strategy?
- Determine the topic or word you would like for students to use.
- Make a list of ideas for each letter. I like to have this on hand before the activity so I don’t get stumped and can offer recommendations to students. I usually provide the list the first couple of times we do the activity, especially in my remediation groups. They can choose from it or not.
- Make a short collaborative list of important ideas and vocabulary to emphasize within the Acrostic.
- Model and “think aloud” for a small vocabulary term students are familiar with. Make sure students know that phrases are preferred. There shouldn’t be just one single word for a letter. They don’t need to use complete sentences, but it’s okay if they do.
- Provide a related vocabulary term for students to work on in partners. Offer suggestions as needed.
- Have students share their acrostics whole class or through a gallery walk. Celebrate the variety of ideas that partners came up with!
After you’ve introduced the Acrostic strategy, try:
- The class comes up with a list of letter ideas before beginning the activity.
- Students select from a list of terms for the unit for their Acrostic word.
- The class makes a list of important ideas and vocabulary to emphasize within the Acrostic.
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