How To: How Many Do You Know?

• Lesson Objective: Generate concise definitions for vocabulary terms containing targeted morphemes.

• Grouping:  Independently in Small-Groups

• Methodology: Students review vocabulary terms in preparation for the next day's quiz.

• Duration: 20 minutes

KISS: Keep It Simple...Silly

It's the day before the quiz. While we do a Jeopardy-style review immediately beforehand,

I've found that’s not quite enough to cement understanding, especially for students who need more processing time. The fast-paced, competitive nature of the game can leave some students behind, particularly those who benefit from slower, more deliberate thinking. To support all learners, I build in additional opportunities for low-pressure, individualized review so every student has time to reflect and solidify their understanding before assessment.

In this activity, students simply jot down a definition for each vocabulary terms. The challenge is to keep it concise. One to two words only. Putting a definition into their own words helps students solidify their understanding. Rather than relying on rote memorization, restating a definition requires them to process the meaning and connect it to prior knowledge.

This deeper level of engagement supports long-term retention and promotes accurate use of the term in context. Additionally, when students challenge themselves to create one- or two-word definitions or associations, they develop precision and strengthen recall. Distilling a concept to its essence encourages critical thinking and helps students identify the most important idea. These brief definitions serve as quick, effective memory cues that support retrieval and application.

🖍 How the Routine Works

We meet in small-groups for teacher support although students work independently.

I remind them to keep their capture sheets nearby but discourage immediately referencing them as they proceed down the list. The point is memory retrieval and application. The directions are as follows:

Check out the Interactive Unit Guides to see how this lesson fits within each unit. There, you’ll find links to the unit-specific How Many Do You Know?.