Saturday, December 7, 2013

Children's Books that Teach Vocabulary

In two previous posts, Vocabulary to Teach High School Students and Vocabulary to Teach Kids I shared with you how to improve your child’s vocabulary whether he is in elementary, middle or high school. In this post we are going to talk about the books and worksheets.

For grades, K-2 it is important to focus word in the sight word list whether it is the dolch or the Fry sight word list. These list contain the words that are found in high frequency use the books this age group read and it will improve the quality or read fluency which means he is less likely to stumble over words while reading. To take a look at a partial list of the Fry sight word see post Vocabulary to Teach Kids.



I recommend the sight word reader series by Roxanne Lanczak because these books are specifically targeted to using sight words which makes it easier for us as parents not to play the guessing game on what books to use for sight words. Click here to see a list of sight word books. I also like the fact that the books are not too long and easy reads so that he, meaning your child, doesn’t get overwhelmed.

Generally speaking by the time he is in Grade 3-5, he is reading chapter books. It is crucial during this time that you pay close attention to his reading because the level of the books vary. For instance, the I Can Read series is good for this grade group, but their are 3 levels. Each has a varying degree of hardness. You will have to monitor it he is struggling to read the words by stubbling over too many words or that he goes through the book quickly which indicates the book is too easy. Either way you will have to adjust the reading  up a level if the book is too easy or down a level if the book is too hard.

In grades 6-12, he becomes so independent, but their is still a way to help them improve their vocabulary. This age group needs to learn greek and latin root words. As I explained in a previous, post because it improves his vocabulary and reading comprehension. The best way to teach greek and latin root words is through worksheets.

For example, let's look at the following words: recede, repel, reproach, recant or reduction.

Word
Meaning
recede
go or move back or further away from a previous position
repel
drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away
reproach
the expression of disapproval or disappointment
recant
say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, esp. one considered heretical
reduction
the act of making something smaller in size, amount, number, etc.

When you look at the chart (see above), notice how each word’s definition has either again or back in the meaning? This proves the point that if the student knows greek or latin roots he will be able to figure out the meaning of words which are foreign or new to him. The words I used here for illustrative purposes are just the tip of the iceberg for the amount words that can be formed using the re- or red-.

In conclusion, vocabulary is important to understanding what is read and the speed.  Also, any child can benefit from an increase in vocabulary.

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Children's Books that Teach Vocabulary

In two previous posts, Vocabulary to Teach High School Students and Vocabulary to Teach Kids I shared with you how to improve your child’s vocabulary whether he is in elementary, middle or high school. In this post we are going to talk about the books and worksheets.  For grades, K-2 it is important to focus word in the sight word list whether it is the dolch or the Fry sight word list. These list contain the words that are found in high frequency use the books this age group read and it will improve the quality or read fluency which means he is less likely to stumble over words while reading. To take a look at a partial list of the Fry sight word see post Vocabulary to Teach Kids. I recommend the sight word reader series by Roxanne Lanczak because these books are specifically targeted to using sight words which makes it easier for us as parents not to play the guessing game on what books to use for sight words. Click here to see a list of sight word books. I also like the fact that the books are not too long and easy reads so that he, meaning your child, doesn’t get overwhelmed.
Generally speaking by the time he is in Grade 3-5, he is reading chapter books. It is crucial during this time that you pay close attention to his reading because the level of the books vary. For instance, the I Can Read series is good for this grade group, but their are 3 levels. Each has a varying degree of hardness. You will have to monitor it he is struggling to read the words by stubbling over too many words or that he goes through the book quickly which indicates the book is too easy. Either way you will have to adjust the reading up a level if the book is too easy or down a level if the book is too hard.
In grades 6-12, he becomes so independent, but their is still a way to help them improve their vocabulary. This age group needs to learn greek and latin root words. As I explained in a previous, post because it improves his vocabulary and reading comprehension. The best way to teach greek and latin root words is through worksheets. In conclusion, vocabulary is important to understanding what is read and the speed.
What do you think? Do you want to read more tips like this? Then, click here to subscribe to Working Mom Time Management Tips If you like my tips, read one of my recommended self-help book for working moms which helps you get organized so that you can have more me-time and quality family time. Here are some time management advice for moms that might help you...

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Vocabulary to Teach High School Students

As our kids get older, we forget the importance vocabulary has on reading and comprehension.  It is important not to forget the vocabulary for high school students because vocabulary can be crucial to them understanding and thus doing well on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), any test and reading in general.  A good place to start is with greek and latin roots words.



Why study greek and latin roots?  It is important to study greek and latin roots because the english language is based almost entirely on greek and latin roots so when you know a root word you will be able to learn or understand new vocabulary words much easier such as the words your child might encounter while taking the SAT, reading or taking a test.


Since I am not studying for the SAT, I am going to give you a simplistic example of what I mean by you being able to learn or understand multiple words by studying root words using the root re- or red-.  It is the latin prefix which means back, again.  Once, your child knows this root and if he sees words beginning with re- or red- he will be able to understand its meaning. For example, let's look at the following words: recede, repel, reproach, recant or reduction.



Word
Meaning
recede
go or move back or further away from a previous position
repel
drive or force (an attack or attacker) back or away
reproach
the expression of disapproval or disappointment
recant
say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, esp. one considered heretical
reduction
the act of making something smaller in size, amount, number, etc.


When you look at the chart (see above), notice how each word’s definition has either again or back in the meaning? This proves the point that if the student knows greek or latin roots he will be able to figure out the meaning of words which are foreign or new to him. The words I used here for illustrative purposes are just the tip of the iceberg for the amount words that can be formed using the re- or red-.

Moreover, the context clues received from the words surrounding the root word will increase or improve the chances that he will understand or accurately interpret the meaning of the word accurately.


Finally, it is important not to forget to teach high school students vocabulary especially greek and latin roots so he can a better understanding of words even if they are unfamiliar.  I have used the book Red Hot Root Words Book 1: Mastering Vocabulary with Prefixes, Suffixes and Root Words to learn root words regardless of the grade level it is written for you still get the benefits of broading his vocabulary which is the point.


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Resources:
List of Greek words with English derivatives
List of Greek and Latin roots in English

What do you think? Do you want to read more tips like this? Then, click here to subscribe to Working Mom Time Management Tips If you like my tips, read one of my recommended self-help book for working moms which helps you get organized so that you can have more me-time and quality family time. Here are some time management advice for moms that might help you...