I like the idea

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Home : 2006 : May : 28

I like the idea
By maryteach

IF it's done in context. Part of the problem with teaching vocabulary is teaching words in isolation. Retention of words taught in isolation will be very low, indeed (and by "retention" I mean actually making the word theirs for life). So I like the word cards on rings idea, but only if those are words that are coming up in what they're studying. I can't see just choosing words for kids to "learn." I don't think they retain those.

Teaching vocabulary is hard. When we run across words they don't know in the books they read, I always have them get the meaning from the context. I almost never send kids to the dictionary--most dictionaries are written for adults, and contain even MORE words the kids don't know.