improving vocabulary
Monday, 7. January 2008, 13:48:36
1.Use Vocabulary Software
One of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary is to use vocabulary building software such as Ultimate Vocabulary. Software has many advantages over older methods, such as books and audio courses. For example, software can use many different learning strategies, rather than being limited to reading or listening. Also, software is great for keeping track of which words you want to learn. When you come across a word you don’t know, I recommend adding it to a list in your vocabulary software. C'Moms has tested and recommends this Vocabulary Building Software.
2.Crossword Puzzles
You can find crossword puzzles for a variety of ages. For older children I would suggest the basic daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper, with the help of mom, dad or an older sibling. Or all three! They will pick up on many words, some of which crossword puzzles tend to use often. It also provides for a good memory and possibility a habit or hobby that keeps them sharp when their hairs turn grey and they need false teeth. When there are missing words no one can pin point they could search for the answer online or off line, or just wait until the answers come the next morning. If you don?t get a newspaper, there are many good crossword books. Just make sure to look through them first and see that the questions are not to hard and the answers not to obscure.
http://www.dictionary.com/fun/crossword/
For older children and adults:
The New York Times Daily Crossword Puzzles
The New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles
Especially for younger children:
Children's Word Games and Crossword Puzzles, for Ages Seven to Nine
More Outrageous Crossword Puzzles and Word Games for Kids
Bible Crossword Challenge, Big Print Bible Puzzles: 23 Crosswords Uses a Good Mix of Scripture Clues and General Knowledge Clues
My First Crossword Puzzle Book
For when you get stuck:
Webster's New World (TM) Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
Improving Vocabulary Idea #3
Word Search
Word search puzzles are a great way to increase vocabulary. Since the words presented in each puzzle have a common bond, they will be chained together in your memory. The definitions will be learned in that way. Next time you think of chrysanthemum, you'll think of dandelion and rose and remember it is a flower. You can find word searched for all ages. Preschoolers can look for 'dog' or individual letters. You can easily make your own. You could present a spelling list or vocabulary list in this way. This, like crosswords, may also become a habit that will keep the mind sharp in old age. My own grandmother does this. I remember her word searches when I was a little girl and last time I visited her she pulled her booklet out and started one. Good habits these are. You can find specialized word search books, i.e. presidents, animals to go along with your lesson plan.
http://www.dictionary.com/fun/wordsearch/
The New Mammoth Book of Seek-A-Word
The 2nd New Mammoth Book of Seek-A-Word
The Original Mammoth Book of Seek-a-Word
The Jumbo Bible Wordsearch Collection
Especially for younger children:
Great Word Search Puzzles for Kids
Easy Search-A-Word Puzzles (Dover Little Activity Books)
Improving Vocabulary Idea #4
Online Word Games
http://www.wgbh.org/radio/saysyou/
http://games.yahoo.com/games/login?page=lt
http://games.yahoo.com/games/login?page=ww
http://www.billsgames.com/wordscram/
http://www.vocabulary.com/ (Many cool puzzles)
http://www.wolinskyweb.net/word.htm
Improving Vocabulary Idea #5
Note pad
Your child may find it handy to have a pen/pencil and pad of paper next to her when she reads. This way, she can write down any word (w/page number) that she does not know. When she is done reading she can define them, go back and read them in the context the book gave them and hopefully have some or all of them stick in her head. She could make it a point to include them in any projects surrounding the novel.
Improving Vocabulary Idea #6
Off line Word Games
English Teachers Book of Instant Word Games
Mensa for Kids: 75 Word Puzzles
Improving Vocabulary Idea #7
Board and Card Games
There are many brilliant board games that focus on vocabulary. The most popular would be Scrabble. TIP: If the cost is daunting, perhaps you and a few other home schooling moms can work together to form a game library OR you could try making your own versions. Just look for directions to these games on the net and you can come up with your own ideas. Balderdash, for instance, you can picks words out and make fake definitions just as in balderdash. Then reading the word and the definitions -- the player must pick out the real definition. With some cardboard and markers you could make a scrabble game. Here is a fun filled list of vocabulary building board games:
Scrabble * Scrabble Jr. * Balderdash * Wheel of fortune * Finish Lines * Scatt * Upwords * Bethump * Outburst * Boogle * Smart Mouth * Guesstures * Comotion * Mad Gab * Bible Outburst * A to Z * Outburst Jr. * Quiddler * Password * Boogle Jr. * Concentration * Malarky * Hangman (Great way to teach the word Aardvark -- that's how I learned it!) * A to Z Jr.
Improving Vocabulary Idea #8
Talking
Don't forget that the first words your child ever said were from hearing YOU say them. That principle with keep on throughout life. When we hear someone saying a word again and again, it sticks. So don't forget to work on your own vocabulary -- and talk to your child! Have conversations. Get them talking. They will be listening. Ah! And don't forget to watch your language. Kids pick up on bad words just as easily.
One of the most effective ways to improve your vocabulary is to use vocabulary building software such as Ultimate Vocabulary. Software has many advantages over older methods, such as books and audio courses. For example, software can use many different learning strategies, rather than being limited to reading or listening. Also, software is great for keeping track of which words you want to learn. When you come across a word you don’t know, I recommend adding it to a list in your vocabulary software. C'Moms has tested and recommends this Vocabulary Building Software.
2.Crossword Puzzles
You can find crossword puzzles for a variety of ages. For older children I would suggest the basic daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper, with the help of mom, dad or an older sibling. Or all three! They will pick up on many words, some of which crossword puzzles tend to use often. It also provides for a good memory and possibility a habit or hobby that keeps them sharp when their hairs turn grey and they need false teeth. When there are missing words no one can pin point they could search for the answer online or off line, or just wait until the answers come the next morning. If you don?t get a newspaper, there are many good crossword books. Just make sure to look through them first and see that the questions are not to hard and the answers not to obscure.
http://www.dictionary.com/fun/crossword/
For older children and adults:
The New York Times Daily Crossword Puzzles
The New York Times Easy Crossword Puzzles
Especially for younger children:
Children's Word Games and Crossword Puzzles, for Ages Seven to Nine
More Outrageous Crossword Puzzles and Word Games for Kids
Bible Crossword Challenge, Big Print Bible Puzzles: 23 Crosswords Uses a Good Mix of Scripture Clues and General Knowledge Clues
My First Crossword Puzzle Book
For when you get stuck:
Webster's New World (TM) Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
The New York Times Crossword Puzzle Dictionary
Improving Vocabulary Idea #3
Word Search
Word search puzzles are a great way to increase vocabulary. Since the words presented in each puzzle have a common bond, they will be chained together in your memory. The definitions will be learned in that way. Next time you think of chrysanthemum, you'll think of dandelion and rose and remember it is a flower. You can find word searched for all ages. Preschoolers can look for 'dog' or individual letters. You can easily make your own. You could present a spelling list or vocabulary list in this way. This, like crosswords, may also become a habit that will keep the mind sharp in old age. My own grandmother does this. I remember her word searches when I was a little girl and last time I visited her she pulled her booklet out and started one. Good habits these are. You can find specialized word search books, i.e. presidents, animals to go along with your lesson plan.
http://www.dictionary.com/fun/wordsearch/
The New Mammoth Book of Seek-A-Word
The 2nd New Mammoth Book of Seek-A-Word
The Original Mammoth Book of Seek-a-Word
The Jumbo Bible Wordsearch Collection
Especially for younger children:
Great Word Search Puzzles for Kids
Easy Search-A-Word Puzzles (Dover Little Activity Books)
Improving Vocabulary Idea #4
Online Word Games
http://www.wgbh.org/radio/saysyou/
http://games.yahoo.com/games/login?page=lt
http://games.yahoo.com/games/login?page=ww
http://www.billsgames.com/wordscram/
http://www.vocabulary.com/ (Many cool puzzles)
http://www.wolinskyweb.net/word.htm
Improving Vocabulary Idea #5
Note pad
Your child may find it handy to have a pen/pencil and pad of paper next to her when she reads. This way, she can write down any word (w/page number) that she does not know. When she is done reading she can define them, go back and read them in the context the book gave them and hopefully have some or all of them stick in her head. She could make it a point to include them in any projects surrounding the novel.
Improving Vocabulary Idea #6
Off line Word Games
English Teachers Book of Instant Word Games
Mensa for Kids: 75 Word Puzzles
Improving Vocabulary Idea #7
Board and Card Games
There are many brilliant board games that focus on vocabulary. The most popular would be Scrabble. TIP: If the cost is daunting, perhaps you and a few other home schooling moms can work together to form a game library OR you could try making your own versions. Just look for directions to these games on the net and you can come up with your own ideas. Balderdash, for instance, you can picks words out and make fake definitions just as in balderdash. Then reading the word and the definitions -- the player must pick out the real definition. With some cardboard and markers you could make a scrabble game. Here is a fun filled list of vocabulary building board games:
Scrabble * Scrabble Jr. * Balderdash * Wheel of fortune * Finish Lines * Scatt * Upwords * Bethump * Outburst * Boogle * Smart Mouth * Guesstures * Comotion * Mad Gab * Bible Outburst * A to Z * Outburst Jr. * Quiddler * Password * Boogle Jr. * Concentration * Malarky * Hangman (Great way to teach the word Aardvark -- that's how I learned it!) * A to Z Jr.
Improving Vocabulary Idea #8
Talking
Don't forget that the first words your child ever said were from hearing YOU say them. That principle with keep on throughout life. When we hear someone saying a word again and again, it sticks. So don't forget to work on your own vocabulary -- and talk to your child! Have conversations. Get them talking. They will be listening. Ah! And don't forget to watch your language. Kids pick up on bad words just as easily.
WIDGETIZE