EduProtocol: Word Up Wednesday

Another EduProtocol for Your Toolbox

EduProtocols are instructional lesson frames designed to engage students in learning through critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. One fantastic protocol for vocabulary is Word Up Wednesday. It provides an opportunity for students to work together on a low-pressure project. The time constraint of just 5 minutes requires everyone to collaborate efficiently to accomplish the task. This protocol can be adapted for nearly any content area, as all subjects involve some form of vocabulary.

How Does It Work?

1. Preparation: Create a copy of the template and give edit access to anyone with the link.
2. Word Assignment: Each group will have a different word (or the same word for everyone) listed on each slide. You can see an example in the image.
3. Slide Completion: For each word, groups will work together to complete different parts of the slide, including:
   • Google Definition
   • Paraphrasing the Word
   • Synonyms/Similar Words
   • Antonyms/Opposites
   • Image
   • Meme
   • GIF

   Finding appropriate GIFs and memes can be challenging, so consider creating a Google Drive folder with a variety of options for students to choose from. Students have a maximum of 5 minutes to complete their slides. Once the time has elapsed, each group will present their slide in 30 seconds.

Encouraging Creativity

Students can be creative with their slides. For instance, in the purple example, the group used their slide design skills to convey the vibe of the word. As with all EduProtocols, repetition is key. This protocol is essentially a variation of the Frayer Model, making it familiar yet innovative.

Word Up Wednesday is a dynamic way to reinforce vocabulary learning while promoting teamwork and creativity. Add it to your teaching toolbox to see how it can enhance your students’ engagement and understanding.

Here is a template to try it out.