Gideon and Malaika came to us with a limited vocabulary. They aren't speech impaired or very academically delayed... just lacking word knowledge I would have expected them to have by now. Seldom does a day go by when in normal conversation they have to ask "what does that mean?"
Now maybe I'm being unfair in my assessment. Sam and Hallie were both early readers, and are being raised in a homeschool environment, being read to multiple times a day, and I have no doubt that has increased their vocabularies beyond "grade level". Often they surprise and amuse me with the words they use in everyday conversation. Gideon and Malaika's early years were spent in neglect and in fact the first CPS referral came in because Gideon had missed over half of the school year of Kindergarten, even though he was enrolled. So comparing the two sets of children may not be possible. Regardless, I keep making a mental note (that escapes my mouth more often than not) that "I really need to work on your vocabulary."
So when Gideon approached me recently and said "I want to work on my vocabulary," the timing couldn't have been more perfect. I literally had the new Vocabulary Cartoons , Elementary Edition book from New Monic sitting RIGHT NEXT TO ME! (I knew the review was coming due soon and I wanted to explore the book and decide how to incorporate it into our school time.)
I cracked the book open, with Gideon on my lap right then, and he and I read through the first chapter together. In the span of less than 10 minutes, he learned all of the new words and got the end-of-chapter quiz 100% correct. I've orally quizzed him on the words since then and he remembers them. Their tagline, "learn a word a minute and never forget it!" seems to be fairly accurate so far!
This version of the book is for elementary students, and costs $12.95 on their website. They also have 2 different books for older children, called "SAT Power" for beefing up the vocab before taking the BIG TEST! (I'm glad that's still a long way off for us!)
Each page of this book has a cartoon incorporating both the new word, it's meaning, and a word (or set of words) that it sounds like. The pictures are humorous, keeping the children's attention, and helping them remember each new word and it's meaning. Below that are several more sentences, using the word (or variations of it) to help really cement it in their minds and understand how variants (-s, -ing, -ed) are used.
I found some of the combinations to be a tad confusing, hokey, or a bit of a stretch (like guerrillas/gorillas), but the idea is absolutely sound, and if Gideon's experience is any indication, it works! I look forward to using it with my other children, and eventually moving on to the older books when the time comes.
Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review. I have not been compensated in any other way.
My mom gave us a series of vocabulary books called "Wordly Wise". They were quite work-booky - but I actually loved them, and they definitely increased my vocabulary. Sometimes I'll use a word and specifically recall learning it from one of the books!
Posted by: Mamavee | 09/29/2010 at 06:30 PM
Thank you for the review. I read this and I loved the preview you have there. It really tickled my funny bone, especially the ducks. I went to the site and looked over some more previews. Then I went to Amazon (because I have gift cards for there) and ordered it!! I am hoping that it will work for James (and in the future the other kids). I think it will appeal to him. He's a comic loving kind of guy.
Posted by: Serial Mommy | 09/29/2010 at 07:51 PM
Great review! Thanks!
Posted by: Dawn @ Guiding Light | 10/01/2010 at 05:21 PM
Hillary,
Thank you so much for blogging. Reading your blog, as well as Renee's, has made me feel like you and Renee are my dear friends. This is so funny since you nor Renee have any idea who I am. A year ago or so I stumbled across you and Renee's blog and have been following ever since. If you're ever interested (and have the time!!!! :), please feel free to check out my "online scrapbook/blog" of my family -
http://www.simplyus-livinglovinglaughing.blogspot.com/
I am very interested in this vocabulary book/s. What is the recommended age? My son is 6 and in the first grade.
Thanks!
Posted by: Rita | 10/01/2010 at 06:29 PM