Word Lab Cards Document
Word Lab
Vocabulary Terms // Cards 01-06
LAB-T-01
Analyze
LAB-T-02
Paraphrase
LAB-T-03
Summarize
LAB-T-04
Infer
LAB-T-05
Evidence
LAB-T-06
Support
SET A (1/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE WHITE CARDSTOCK
Word Lab
Vocabulary Terms // Cards 07-12
LAB-T-07
Describe
LAB-T-08
Explain
LAB-T-09
Compare
LAB-T-10
Contrast
LAB-T-11
Context Clues
LAB-T-12
Predict
SET A (2/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE WHITE CARDSTOCK
Word Lab
Vocabulary Definitions // Cards 01-06
LAB-D-01
To break down information into smaller parts to understand how it works.
LAB-D-02
To restate someone else's ideas using your own words while keeping the meaning.
LAB-D-03
To provide a short overview of only the most important main points of a text.
LAB-D-04
To reach a logical conclusion based on evidence and your background knowledge.
LAB-D-05
Specific facts, quotes, or details from the text that prove a claim is true.
LAB-D-06
To provide details or evidence that back up and strengthen an idea or argument.
SET B (1/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE BLUE CARDSTOCK
Word Lab
Vocabulary Definitions // Cards 07-12
LAB-D-07
To give a detailed account of something using sensory details (sight, sound, etc.).
LAB-D-08
To make an idea clear by providing more details, reasons, or showing how it works.
LAB-D-09
To look for and identify similarities between two or more different things.
LAB-D-10
To look for and identify differences between two or more different things.
LAB-D-11
Information in the surrounding text that helps you define an unknown word.
LAB-D-12
To use evidence to make a logical guess about what will happen next in a story.
SET B (2/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE BLUE CARDSTOCK
Word Lab
Vocabulary Examples // Cards 01-06
LAB-E-01
Lab Observation
"Looking at a character's choices across three chapters to discover their true motivation."
LAB-E-02
Lab Observation
"Changing 'The boy moved with velocity' to 'The kid ran fast' in your notes."
LAB-E-03
Lab Observation
"Writing a three-sentence recap that covers the whole plot of a 200-page novel."
LAB-E-04
Lab Observation
"Deciding that a character is nervous because the author says their 'hands were shaking'."
LAB-E-05
Lab Observation
"Quoting line 14 of the poem: 'The iron gates stood tall' to prove the setting."
LAB-E-06
Lab Observation
"Adding two more specific facts to your paragraph to prove that wolves are helpful animals."
SET C (1/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE YELLOW CARDSTOCK
Word Lab
Vocabulary Examples // Cards 07-12
LAB-E-07
Lab Observation
"Writing that the dragon had 'emerald scales, a smoky breath, and a deep, rumbling growl'."
LAB-E-08
Lab Observation
"Telling exactly WHY the author chose to make the ending of the story a total mystery."
LAB-E-09
Lab Observation
"Noticing that both the book and the movie version show the hero as a lonely child."
LAB-E-10
Lab Observation
"Pointing out that while the first poem is happy, the second poem is dark and sad."
LAB-E-11
Lab Observation
"Using the words 'dark' and 'spooky' to figure out that the word 'gloomy' means sad."
LAB-E-12
Lab Observation
"Saying 'I bet the dog finds its way home' because you know the dog is very smart."
SET C (2/2) // PRINTER TIP: USE YELLOW CARDSTOCK
Word Lab Teacher Guide
Word Lab
Teacher Facilitation Guide
LAB LOG: #403-A
Overview
The Word Lab Matching Game builds fluency with academic vocabulary. By connecting terms with definitions and practical examples, students move beyond rote memorization to conceptual understanding.
How to Play
-
- Memory Match: Terms and Definitions. Lay face down. Players flip two cards to find a pair.
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- Triple Match: All three sets. Flip one of each color. Find all three to keep the set.
-
- Speed Sort: Time how quickly a small group can assemble all 12 "Triple Sets" on their table.
Differentiation
Support: Match Example to Term first before the Definition.
Challenge: Remove Definition cards; students write their own after matching.
Self-Check: Students can use the ID Codes (e.g., LAB-T-01) as a hint.
Prep Tips
Print on colored cardstock: White (Terms), Blue (Definitions), Yellow (Examples) for easy sorting.
Master Lab Results (Answer Key)
| Term (ID) | Definition | Lab Example |
|---|
| Analyze (01) | Break down info to see how it works. | Character motivation study. |
| Paraphrase (02) | Restate in your own words. | Velocity → Fast. |
| Summarize (03) | Short overview of main points. | 3-sentence recap of a novel. |
| Infer (04) | Conclusion from evidence + knowledge. | Shaking hands = nervous. |
| Evidence (05) | Facts/quotes that prove a claim. | Quoting line 14 of the poem. |
| Support (06) | Details that strengthen an idea. | Adding facts about wolves. |
| Describe (07) | Detailed account with sensory details. | Emerald scales/smoky breath. |
| Explain (08) | Make clear with details or reasons. | Telling WHY the author chose mystery. |
Word Lab Reference Sheet
NAME: _____________________________
DATE: _________________
Word Lab
Academic Vocabulary Master Log
Analyze
Break it down
Study the pieces to see how they work together.
Paraphrase
Your own words
Restate the author's ideas in your own voice.
Summarize
The Big Picture
Give a short recap of only the main points.
Infer
Read Between Lines
Use clues + your brain to find hidden meaning.
Evidence
The Proof
Quotes or facts from the text that prove your point.
Support
Hold it up
Provide details to back up your argument.
Describe
Show me
Give a detailed account using sensory details.
Explain
Make it clear
Tell why or how something is the way it is.
Compare
Same
Look for and identify similarities.
Contrast
Different
Look for and identify differences.
Context Clues
Vocabulary Hacks
Use surrounding words to define unknowns.
Predict
Guess ahead
Use evidence to guess what happens next.
Post-Lab Reflection
Which academic word was the easiest to match? Why?
Which two words are the most similar? How do you tell them apart?
