Stir Up Some Magic With Powerful Words
Say the Magic Word
“Say the magic word!”
How many of us have said this to a child, prompting them for the word please? But there are so many magical words — words that demonstrate kindness, empathy, and good manners. We teach these words early to preschoolers and then remind them to use them in the right settings.
Magic Words Aren’t Just for the Littles
Magic Words aren’t just for our youngest learners. There are also words we want our intermediate and middle schoolers to know, understand, and use to guide their choices. As students read more complex texts, we want them to have a treasure trove of precise words to describe the characters in their novels — and to use those words as a springboard for recognizing deeper themes. Expanding their vocabulary gives them tools for empathy, reflection, and expression — the real magic of language.
Add a Little Halloween Magic
Have a little Halloween fun with your students as you stir up some word magic this season!
Set up a classroom cauldron filled with word wands or cards. Each student can “draw” a word and use it as their magic focus for the day.
For Kindergarten–1st Grade
You can make this activity playful and simple:
Fill a cauldron with word wands labeled with “magic words” (like please, thank you, share, helpful, brave).
Invite students to pick a wand and try to use that word throughout the day.
Encourage them to sort the words by the strength of their magical powers — which word is the strongest?
Use the wands to prompt partner talk or quick circle-time discussions:
“When would your word’s magic be needed today?”
This approach reinforces manners, vocabulary, and oral language in a joyful, interactive way.
For Grades 3–5
Older students can explore the concept more deeply. Try these ideas:
Cut up the word cards and sort them by:
Know / Don’t Know Yet
Number of syllables
Words that seem to go together
Words that describe a character in the current read-aloud
Ask students to select one word they want to model for the class by acting out different scenarios.
Have them write a short personal narrative about a time they exhibited that word.
These activities blend vocabulary, reflection, and performance — keeping learning lively and meaningful.
Stick With It: Simple, Creative Materials
Looking for a low-prep way to make your Magic Words tangible?
Try printing them on holiday gift labels (with adhesive backs) — they’re easy to peel and stick anywhere!
You can find them here on Amazon.
Use them to:
Label wands and other materials
Create bookmarks with words on the back (Amanda’s idea)
Fill a classroom cauldron with “word potions” or “magic labels”
Little touches like these make the activity tactile and memorable.
Final Stir: Let the Word Magic Begin
Have fun while you stir up some word magic in your classroom this Halloween season!
When we help students discover the magic in words — kindness, empathy, courage, respect — we also help them discover the magic in themselves.
So go ahead… say the magic word!
Try this with your class and share your word wands on Instagram @Joycabulary!
