Building Vocabulary

Karla requested that this be added to the blog, so here it is...

I know building vocabulary is very important in helping students achieve better reading comprehension and improving their writing skills, but a direct approach of feeding kids a list of weekly definitions doesn't seem effective long term. So, last night by sheer luck at Amazon.com, I followed some links and stumbled upon a book that teaches vocabulary words through rap music. What I like most about it is that it teaches the words in context because each rap song is a story in itself. We all know that teaching vocabulary in a meaningful context is the way to go and that those who read a lot have the best vocabularies. I hope that this will work well with my students (especially the reluctant readers)- I will keep you posted after I try it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-KSa5BlbvY

http://www.flocabulary.com/wordup_green_listen.html (by the way I love the sample song- it is right on target to what the kids are actually into at this age).

Here are some other ideas to reach other learning styles:

http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Momma-Vocabulary-Builder/dp/0974043982

http://www.amazon.com/Rock-SAT-Learning-Listening-Slamming/dp/0071469036/ref=pd_sim_b_3

http://www.amazon.com/Vocabulary-Cartoons-Building-Educated-Mnemonics/dp/0965242277/ref=pd_sim_b_6