Vocabulary Cartoons has revolutionized learning vocabulary words in my homeschool! Everybody likes cartoon drawings, so there isn't any coaxing to get kids going on this book. Besides a humorous visual cartoon, there is an often silly "sound-alike" clue. There are also several sentences using the word so you get the feel of it. Plus, an easy pronunciation guide.
I am learning right along with my kids, and find myself relying on the memory clues. For example, the word "capacious" means roomy and spacious. I learned the word while quizzing my kids on Vocabulary Cartoons, and I later encountered it in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, describing a room in a mansion. Instantly I saw in my mind's eye the drawing of a skinny boy with a huge cap on, a cap that was spacious. A capacious cap!
Vocabulary words are taken from the SAT test, which gives me a measure of confidence that they are words worth knowing. Each unit is divided into 10 words, with a full page for each word. The words in each lesson are grouped in a logical way, such as all the words with the same prefix. After you study the 10 cartoons and their words, there is a quiz page, allowing you to match the words to a definition, and giving you the chance to plug the words into sentences. I do this quiz orally with my kids, (because cartoons are fun and because I want to learn too) but it could easy be done independently on paper.
The elementary age version says is geared for 3rd-6th grade, but I found it best at about age 10-12 years. It contains 290 words from the SAT test. It is followed by 2 more books: Vocabulary Cartoons 1 and 2, slated for grades 7-12th to prepare for the college entrance exams. I used them in my homeschool in order, starting with the elementary version around 5th grade and going at the rate of a word per day (Monday through Thursday) and a quiz on Friday. At that rate, each book lasted 2 school years. I would rather have the words thoroughly learned than to rush through and forget them.
It is a proven fact that students with mnemonics (memory clues) learn words three times more quickly and remember them far longer. I've been delighted to hear my children using their vocabulary words in conversations—our goal, right?! These books have been a great discovery for my homeschool and my kids have loved them!
Have fun reading the comics!
Vocabulary Cartoons for Kids (Elementary Age Version)- ages 10-12 years
Vocabulary Cartoons 1—ages 12 to adult
Vocabulary Cartoons 2—ages 12 to adult
A fun, easy-to-remember approach to learning (and retaining) vocabulary words!
Three thousand carefully selected words taken from literature and the SAT tests are the basis of this program that teaches new words through reading and writing exercises and a variety of fun activities. Designed with a 10 minute learning activity per weekday, each lesson is completed in one week. The 15 word vocabulary list begins with a glossary defining the words. Then exercises follow—filling-in-the-blank to match a phrase to the word, matching each word to a situation, constructing sentences using the new words, etc. Each lesson ends by reading a narrative about topics in the sciences, arts and humanities that includes all the new vocabulary words in context. The "Wordly Wise" section gives interesting histories of the words and points out commonly confused words and their meanings. Vocabulary words are reviewed from previous lessons by way of crossword puzzles and hidden message puzzles. Books are 168 pages and Answer Keys are 64 pages each.
This fun, interactive card game teaches vocabulary by teaching 42 Latin and Greek roots. You will be able to decipher over 2,000 English words just by understanding the classical roots. It also teaches nearly 200 vocabulary words. How can a game really do this much? First you learn the roots, then you play at matching them to their English definitions in a simple "Go Fish" style game. Three higher levels of play follow. Level 1 has you creating words by combining roots to make English words and practicing dictionary skills. In level 2, try to outwit your opponent with advanced knowledge. Level 2 is played like rummy, combining three classical roots to expand your vocabulary. For ages 8 to adult.
Spell better and understand what you read by mastering the building blocks of English—Latin and Greek roots. Each lesson presents a Latin or Greek word in all its forms: prefix, root, and suffix. Students divide complex, often unfamiliar, words into these three elements. Then they match each word to its correct definition based on the meaning of its elements. Their final goal is to apply the words correctly to unfinished sentences. The only drawback is that children must pronounce their newfound words correctly in order to use them and no pronunciation guide is included. Nevertheless, this is the best program I have found for learning those essential Latin and Greek roots. On CD ROM Rebuild a 5th century city by learning Latin and Greek roots! Same excellent program as in book form. (Note: no pronunciation guide here either). Mac/Windows.
I think learning idioms is at least as important as learning vocabulary words. They help you to be culturally literate! How can your children know what it is to feel "mad as a wet hen" or to be "walking on air" or "in the doghouse" unless you teach them? This charming cartoon- illustrated book is just right for ages 8 to 12, containing 136 common idioms (with their historical background) to make your children conversation smart! Paperback, 64 pages.
