Appliejuice
Oct 9 2003, 07:13 AM
I was wondering how everyone does their vocabulary. Do you use your spelling words or add in a few extras just for vocabulary? Do you test on them? I have been getting words from Donna's list, reading books, and spelling lists. My son is to write the words, part of speech, definition, and two words from the Thesaurus. I have not been having him write sentences or take tests. Looking forward to hearing what you do. Thanks!!

Donna
Oct 9 2003, 07:57 AM
We used to get words from a thesaurus and write the synonyms and antonyms.

Some things that we did is

1. Identify the part of speech
2. Make up sentences (written or spoken)
3. Change the part of speech by adding a suffix
4. The word family would be written out and discussed (example: ab-rupt, ab-rupt-ly, ab-rupt-ness). Notice the word is broken into syllables.

During our homemade sentence structure classes, we would start with a plain-jane sentence. The children were to decide how to fix up the sentence by adding descriptive words, but there is so much more to the lessons.

This is where vocabulary came into play - If they wanted to describe something as "blue" then they would have to find "blue" in a thesaurus and pick a substitute word. While they have the thesaurus open at the word blue, they would notice that there are different substitute words for blue: sapphire, azure, gloomy, sad, unhappy, depressed, dejected, melancholy. They would need to choose the word with the particular definition of the "blue" that they wanted. (sneaky eh? ) Anyway, in the past, we were able to include good vocabulary "observations" and research skills with this method.

Links to my Sentence Structure Lessons

• "Who Needs an Illustration"
  building sentences
  • Who Needs an Illustration, Sentence Building - Activity One- Subject | Transitive Verb | Direct Object
  • Who Needs an Illustration, Sentence Building - Activity Two- Subject | Intransitive Verb

julioeunice
Oct 9 2003, 10:29 AM
We have a list of 20 per week.

1. Day 1-Look up definition, part of speech, etymology.
2. Day 2-Write sentences using vocabulary words (more than one can be used in a sentence)
3. Day 3-ABC order/study (Wed is church day so we don't overload)
4. Day 4-Thesaurus (synonyms) & study
5. Day 5-Test We all incorporate vocabulary words in conversation throughout week.

Hope this helps.

Appliejuice
Oct 9 2003, 10:30 AM

QUOTE (Donna @ Oct 9 2003, 07:57 AM) We used to get words from a thesaurus and write the synonyms and antonyms. In creative writing classes, we would start with a plain-jane sentence. The children were to decide how to fix up the sentence by adding descriptive words.

Thanks for the suggestions. I wasn't doing the antonyms, but will begin that soon . We have dressed up a few sentences, but that is like pulling teeth. I think I will need to do this at least three times a week, just to help him get over the feeling of doom . Once he gets the hang of it, maybe I can cut back some. I wonder if I could turn this into a game of some sort. I could do it with him and then compare to see who has the best sentence.

Donna
Oct 21 2003, 09:01 AM
Your post reminded me that we used to have spelling bees. The children enjoyed them a LOT!

Appliejuice
Oct 21 2003, 12:04 PM
How do you do your spelling bees? I have a 4th and a K. Not much competition there . Would you have them stand in line (like they did in school) and give each words according to their grade and then if they get so many right, you give them a prize?

Donna
Oct 21 2003, 12:33 PM
I have two kids and they both stood together. I called their name (This word is for..) Then I gave a word that was for their grade level or slightly above. They stood together in the foyer, which sort of gave the effect of a stage. Whoever spelled the most correct words won the bee. (It was a long time ago, I hope I am remembering this correctly.)

The win was recorded in the record book. We didn't have a spelling bee certificate then, but knowing me, the winner was rewarded with something such as getting to decide something that we all did together like which movie to watch on movie night or maybe the winner had first pick on any candy that I had around the house.