Parent Magazine St. Johns September 2018 | Page 19

STUDYING GREEK AND L ATIN ROOT WORDS.
A powerful tool for learning new vocabulary and for gaining meaning of words is studying Greek and
Latin root words. There are many good study books on root words. It’s enlightening to know that all
words with “ped” in them have something to do with feet and movement.
USE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
to teach new vocabulary. Children love to play online games and there are excellent programs to
increase vocabulary and have fun at the same time. Try www.pbskids.org/games/vocabulary or
www.vocabulary.co.il.
The most effective forms of building word knowledge come from methods that actively engage the child, not in
mere drill and memory work. While it is of some value to memorize the meaning of words, true mastery of a
word requires that it be seen and used in proper context. Writing a story using the words jousting, castle and
knight will extend and cement real understanding of words in that word bank. Matching the words to their
meaning is a more valuable experience than just memorizing the meaning.
In the adult world, those persons with a larger working vocabulary are much more likely to be successful in
their careers. Conversely, those who begin life with a smaller word bank go on to receive lower academic marks
and score lower on standardized tests. This in turn can affect their success in the work world.
The sooner children begin to build a robust vocabulary, the more they improve their skills in effective
reading, writing and all forms of communication.
S T. JOHNS
parent
MAGAZINE
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