Studies show that short, frequent study sessions increase long-term retention when compared to long cramming sessions.
Use this 3-10 minute activity to help students see this benefit in their own study of vocabulary.
Use as a sponge, transition or bell-ringer
activity!

Break up vocabulary list into sections of 10-15 words each.
Print list in two columns: vocabulary in one column, and definition in the other.
During the 30-second study time, students look at the entire list.
When it is time to practice, students fold the list in half, so that each student sees only one side.
One student acts as checker as the other student goes through the list as many times as possible during the 1-minute practice time.
The checker stops the student only to correct mistakes.
There is no need for the checker to read their side of the list—the practicing student just looks at the part of the list that is visible to him/her, and says the definition. In other words, the prompt is silently read by the practicing student, thus allowing the list to be gone through more times.
At the end of the minute, students reverse roles.
The activity can be repeated 3-4 times in under 10 minutes.
Variations:
Have students keep track of how many times they go through each list and turn in their results.
Have students count each vocabulary word, as it is spoken, on a hundreds chart (Included). Keep track of individual and team totals.
Change teams now and then so that students have a chance to work with others at all levels.

KeyWords: Vocabulary Drill, Study Vocabulary, Vocabulario, Vocabulaire, Vocabulary Sponge Activity, Bell-ringer vocabulary drill, Transition activity, Vocabulary list, Vocabulary competition