Home > Literature Group > Discussion Board

I need some material about it.

There are various products on the web that can be purchased to enhance one's vocabulary.  As communication is essential in all forms of work, vocabulary enhancement tools have become quite a lucrative business.  There are some ways where one's vocabulary can be improved without having to invest a great deal of money.  One such way would be to read the newspaper.  In reading many examples of printed news, such as the New York Times or the Washington Post, one sees examples of word use that would enhance one's own vocabulary.  If an individual is interested in enhancing content area vocabulary, such as science or math vocabulary, subscribing to trade magazines or visiting content based websites would also increase vocabulary attainment and use.  Additionally, I would think that increasing vocabulary skills can happen in legitimate and deep conversation with someone else.  When one has to explain their thoughts through language, the vocabulary usage is increased because of the wider lexicon one must employ to discuss what is experienced.  Finally, reading books and literature is a wonderful way to enhance one's vocabulary.  Classical literature and challenging books might enhance one's vocabulary in that different words are in use.  Reading books with stellar use of vocabulary, as well as a dictionary reference nearby, will allow anyone to enhance their usage of language and vocabulary skills.

Our school has HRW curriculum. We do vocabulary workshops every other week. Included with the workshop materials is information about context clues, prefix/suffix/root study, analogies, and multiple meaning words.

A great interactive resource is the quia website. Here you will find activities to do with your students including: quizzes, jeopardy, hangman, and many others.

I did a search for vocabulary for you. Please check out the link below.

I think one of the best ways to deal with vocabulary is to study prefixes, sufixes, and root words. In my classes we focus on this so that when we come upon a word we don't know, we can disect the word to come up with its most likely definition. When you pair this method with using context clues, you can very nearly come up with a logical working definition of the word.

The link I have included has a great list of root words that once learned, will help you define words you may come across in the future.

One activity that has helped my students improve their vocabulary is to attach visuals to vocabulary words.  If you have a Smart board or Promethean board in your classroom, you can upload photos or clipart and have students match those images with the word that fits in meaning.  I've tried this activity with several types of students from AP to struggling learners, and they have enjoyed it and have done better on making these words part of their writing vocabulary.

I have my students draw a picture of what the word means to them. Students seem to really relate to the word once they understand that it correlates to their own lives.

You improve your vocabulary by diligent practice and putting into use in your own language new words that you discover in your studies.  A great book is Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis.  It is a classic still used in many prestigious universities.

In reply to #1:  Here's how I improve my vocaulary:  While reading anything, I look for words that I don't understand or know and immediately look them up in the dictionary.  As soon as the meanings are clear, I try to incorporate that word in my everyday speech.  For your writing assignments, keep a Thesaurus handy.  Instead of a one syllable word for something, look it up in the Thesaurus and find a two or three syllable synonym for the well-used word.  Then, try using the new word every day.

If you try this method, you will find yourself becoming more refined, cultured, and in command of a fast-growing, far-reaching vocabulary.  Not only will you have a larger vocubulary, but you will understand the meaning of the words you use.

The best way to improve vocabulary is to find multiple ways of making connections to the vocabulary you need to learn using your personal learning style for inspiration. For example if you are an auditory learner set the terms and definitions to a song that appeals to you. The rhythm and the melody will help you learn it better. If you are a visual learner, create a grid with multiple aspects of the word and its meaning. For example create a four square grid with a circle where the four corners meet. The word and definition can go in the circle. In one of the squares put a visual representation (an image that will remind you of the word). In another put words that have similar meanings. In the third, put words that are the opposite, and so on. There are a number of ways to learn what you need to learn. These are just a few.