Brainwaves Instruction

4 Research-Based Ways to Teach Vocabulary So It Actually Sticks

August 15, 2026

Looking for fun ways to teach vocabulary that go beyond vocabulary lists, copying definitions, and Friday quizzes? Research-based vocabulary instruction gives students multiple opportunities to define new words, explore word meanings, make connections, and use vocabulary in context. The more students interact with new vocabulary, reading, discussion, visuals, and writing—the more likely those words are to actually stick.

Which makes a whole lot of sense.

As a teacher, I wanted vocabulary practice to feel different.

I didn't just want students to know the definition of a word. I wanted them to understand it, recognize it, connect it to something they already knew, and eventually feel comfortable enough to use it.

Over time, I've found that the vocabulary activities I like best tend to follow four simple steps: Define it. Work it. Connect it. Write it.

Here's what I mean.

1. Define the Word

Start with a clear, student-friendly definition. Include the part of speech and help students see the word in context.

rickety (adjective) — shaky, unsteady, and likely to fall apart

The rickety bridge was unsteady and falling apart.

You can also give students the word in context first and let them try to determine its meaning.

The goal isn't Can you copy the definition?

It's Do you understand the word?

Find Daily Vocabulary Words HERE.

Next, make students do something with the word.

They might:

• find synonyms or antonyms

• choose the best example

• compare related words

• explore roots, prefixes, or suffixes

• complete a sentence

Even a quick question like "Which is more likely to be rickety: a new steel bridge or an old wooden bridge?" requires students to think about meaning.

Instead of copying the word, work the word.

Teach academic vocab with these tasks!

Words are hard to remember when they're floating around all by themselves.

Help students connect new vocabulary to images, experiences, other words, and ideas.

One of my favorite ways to do this is through doodling.

Instead of just defining rickety, ask students to doodle the ricketiest bridge imaginable.

Now they're translating a definition into a visual—which requires them to really think about what the word means.

Have you seen these Social Studies vocab resources?

Finally, students need to use new vocabulary.

Instead of asking students to use each word in a random sentence, give them several words and challenge them to use them together in a short passage.

Try: rickety • peculiar • concoction • vanish

Suddenly students have to understand each word well enough to make them all work together.

And that's where vocabulary starts becoming actual language.

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Vocabulary That Sticks

This approach is what inspired my Doodle & Do Vocabulary activities.

Students get a word, part of speech, and student-friendly definition. They complete a quick activity to work the word, create a doodle to connect to its meaning, and then combine multiple words in their own writing.

I've created Doodle & Do activities for daily vocabulary, academic vocabulary, elements of fiction, poetry, geography, and more.

Because the goal isn't for students to remember vocabulary until Friday.

It's for the words to stick long after Friday is over.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Beth