DIY Homeschooler

To develop a rich vocabulary you have to pay attention to it. In other words, a rich vocabulary is dependent upon the habit of collecting words. So let’s get to it: Collect vocabulary!

Some of us are natural word collectors. Others will need to develop the habit.

There are many, many ways to develop the habit of discovering the meaning of unknown words. The key ingredient is a diet rich in literature from which to pull those great words. And of course, the whole process will be more meaningful when it is the student who does the pulling!

So step one: make that reading list! With that in hand:

Set up a vocabulary notebook.

Create a page for every letter of the alphabet. As a student comes across an unfamiliar word, he can write the word on the correct page along with a brief definition. Include the sentence the word was in to help provide context.

To develop this habit, set a target for the number of words to find and add to a notebook page each day. Keep it simple; avoid overwhelming or you’ll find you have a student most definitely NOT interested in vocabulary!

You’ll find resources below that can make this activity more interesting.

Create a vocabulary bookmark.

The nice thing about a bookmark is that it is handy inside the book where words will be found. See resources below.

Keep a small notebook handy.

For the older student, a small pocket-sized notebook can store writing ideas, books to read, … and vocabulary words to look up later.

Make a word wall.

Find a place in the house where new words can be written on sticky notes and placed on the wall.

The word of the day.

Again this is more effective when the student selects the word. The objective is to find an unfamiliar word and begin using the word correctly throughout the day in conversation and writing.

Play the dictionary game.

Just grab an age-appropriate dictionary, have your child put his finger on a page, and pick the first word he is unfamiliar with. 

(Online dictionaries that generate a random word of the day are fine, but using a word you already know doesn’t accomplish much!)

Find the word.

One great way to understand how a word is used in context is to find the word you are working with in a variety of literature. With so many online book sources, this is relatively easy to do. 

Pre-select a wide array of public domain literature at your child’s level. When he is working with a word, he can search the document and copy phrases, sentences, or paragraphs containing the word. 

Digital readers with built-in dictionaries work very well with this!

Use etymology.

Older students can record the etymology of the word. This process helps them identify the meaning of words with similar roots.

Write every day.

Your students ARE writing every day, right? Have them include their new word in their writing.

Write Something Every Day: 366 Pencil Sharpeners for Students of Writing
Our book will get you started. This huge 554-pg. resource provides carefully crafted writing prompts and challenges for each day. We use nearly 20 different forms of writing to keep the student engaged. Also included are writing instruction, tips for modifying assignments for “younger writers,” and other resources. Learn more.

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Additional Resources

ABC Book Maker {Free}
A fun way to set up vocabulary book pages as mentioned above.

8 Places to Find Children’s Books in the Public Domain
Our 8 best choices for streamlined locations to find children’s books in the public domain.

Lingro
For those without an eReader, this is an interesting way to read with a view to vocabulary! You can use one of the sites listed above, enter the URL, and have a clickable dictionary.

Vocabulary Notebook Pages {Free}
The best way to learn new words is to focus on them. This works especially well when the words are first encountered and there is an immediate purpose behind the exercise. Free vocabulary notebook pages.

Vocabulary Notebooking Pages
Graphic-organizer-type pages.

Word of the Day Worksheets
At EnchantedLearning.com.

Vocabulary Sample Notebook Packet (archived)
Another option for older students from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Merriam-Webster’s Vocabulary Builder
Including word roots. (For older students.)