Learning Vocabulary with Flip Books in Primary

In our English lessons, we try to learn new words in a fun, active and meaningful way. One of the resources we use in class is the vocabulary flip book.

Flip books are small and simple, but they are very useful. Pupils can write words, add pictures and organise vocabulary in an easy way. They help children remember new words and feel more confident when they speak.

In 3rd and 4th year of Primary, we use them with topics such as Animals and Shops. In 6th year of Primary, the flip book topic was Environmental Features. They work very well because they are visual, practical and motivating.

Nas clases de inglés empregamos os vocabulary flip books para aprender vocabulario novo dun xeito lúdico, visual e significativo. En 3º e 4º de Primaria usámolos con temas como Animals e Shops e en 6º de Primaria coo tema Environmental Features, xa que axudan a organizar as palabras, lembralas mellor e gañar seguridade ao falar en inglés.

Why do we like flip books?

Vocabulary flip books are much more than a small craft activity. They are a very practical classroom tool.

They help pupils learn by doing. Children do not only copy words. They also look, choose, match, say and use them.
They are visual and clear, so they make vocabulary easier to understand and remember.
They can be adapted to different levels, which is very helpful in the classroom.
They are also a good support for oral activities, because pupils can use them to play, describe, ask questions and give clues.
Most importantly, they make vocabulary practice more fun.

Os vocabulary flip books son un recurso moi práctico para a aula. Axudan a aprender facendo, facilitan a comprensión e a memorización do vocabulario, adáptanse a distintos niveis e tamén serven de apoio para actividades orais. Ademais, fan que a práctica do vocabulario sexa máis motivadora e divertida.

Using flip books for speaking activities

After making the flip books, pupils can use them in pairs or small groups. In this way, they do not only study vocabulary. They also use it when they speak and listen to each other.

Here are some of the oral activities we use in class.

Despois de elaborar os flip books, o alumnado utilízaos tamén en actividades orais para practicar o vocabulario e usalo en interacción cos compañeiros.

Guess the word! (Animals/Shops/Environmental features)

This activity is useful at the beginning of the unit, when pupils need to practise and reinforce vocabulary.

One pupil thinks of an animal from the flip book. The other children in the group try to guess the word by asking questions.

They use the structures: Is it a…? /yes, it is./No, it isn’t.

This is a simple game, but it is very effective. Pupils repeat the animal words many times and little by little they remember them better.

Con Guess the word!, ao inicio da unidade, reforzan o vocabulario facendo preguntas como Is it a…?.

Find my word (Animals)

Later in the unit, when pupils already know the basic vocabulary, we use this activity to practise structures in context.

One pupil describes an animal and the rest of the group has to guess it. They can use short sentences like these:

It is big.
It is small.
It is green.
It can run.
It can swim.
It has got four legs.
It lives in the jungle.

This activity helps pupils use vocabulary and grammar together in a natural way.

It can also be adapted to different levels. Pupils who need more support can use cards with full sentences.(It is…., It has got….., It can…, It lives in …..)

More advanced pupils can use cards with key words only and make the sentence themselves.(big, grey, can swim, four legs, jungle).

This makes it easier for everyone to take part and learn at their own level.

Con Find my word, máis adiante, practican estruturas en contexto describindo animais con frases sinxelas. Esta actividade pode adaptarse con apoios maiores ou menores segundo o nivel do alumnado.

One clue at a time (Shops)

With the topic Shops, we use this game to work on and reinforce vocabulary in context.

One pupil thinks of a shop and gives one clue at a time. The clues use the structure: I can buy…

This game helps pupils connect each shop with the products they can buy there. In this way, vocabulary is not learned as single words, but in a simple and real context.

Con One clue at a time, no tema Shops, traballan o vocabulario en contexto dando pistas coa estrutura I can buy…, relacionando cada tenda cos produtos que se poden mercar nela.

Learning step by step

These three activities help us work on vocabulary in different moments of the unit.

First, Guess the word! helps pupils learn and remember the new words.

Next, Find my word helps them use those words in short structures and descriptions.

Finally, One clue at a time helps them practise and reinforce vocabulary in context.

Vocabulary flip books are a simple resource, but they give us many opportunities to learn, speak and play in English. They help pupils feel more confident and make vocabulary work more active and enjoyable.

Estas tres actividades permiten traballar o vocabulario en distintos momentos da unidade: primeiro para aprender e lembrar palabras novas, despois para usalas en pequenas estruturas e descricións, e finalmente para practicalas en contexto. Así, os vocabulary flip books, aínda que son un recurso sinxelo, ofrecen moitas oportunidades para aprender, falar e xogar en inglés dun xeito máis activo, motivador e seguro.