2/21/06

Good Feelings

I’ve been experiencing some nice warm and fuzzy feelings about Word Web Vocabulary ever since my colleague sent me a collection of letters from teachers who praised the effectiveness of our curriculum in the classroom. I’m always encouraging users of Word Web to contact me with questions or comments, so I’m happy with those who have responded but would love to hear more.

You can see some of these comments on our website, www.wordwebvocabulary.com at the Testimonials link. I hope you’ll take a few moments to read what’s there. Then, maybe, you’ll feel inspired to write one yourself. As I’m sure many of you realized when you first learned of Word Web, it’s highly unusual for an individual (like me) to publish and directly market an academic program across our country and even overseas with a small number of employees.

Fortunately, my employees are very dedicated and Word Web Vocabulary is not a hard sell. Educators often remark how reasonable its price is and enjoy seeing how much their students really get into this method of learning about our language and having it expand their own — almost all without memorization. As a curriculum specialist remarked to me at a recent meeting of educators, “The traditional way of teaching vocabulary seems dated and out-of-touch with the way students really learn.”

Word Web is also closing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students because it provides a way for students to understand words and discover how worthwhile they are. Unlike most vocabulary programs, Word Web teaches words in context instead of their being presented disconnected and groundless with no follow-up (except perhaps a test). We believe real vocabulary study provides a tie-in, an interconnection and a peg on which to hang words.

I guess I can’t resist, so in case you’re not going to find it convenient to go to our website, here are two comments that are posted there.

“Students like the prefix work because it makes sense to them. They see a real purpose to learning the words. When the students came in this year, their sentences were weak, but after only 3 lessons, I see how using Word Web Vocabulary has improved their writing skills.”

English Teacher
Middle School, Indiana

“I especially like the Word Web setup because it provides vocabulary words the students have heard but didn't know and never bothered to learn; and the "Real World Word" and the "Wicked Word of the Week." ... I've had several instances where students noticed one of these words in an article that they would have never paid attention to before. I actually give extra credit points to those who make these discoveries.”

Language Arts Teacher
Middle School, California

I hope you are able to read the rest, and please feel free to write one of your own. Just send it to emiller@seepub.com. I’ll give you extra credit points if you do!

And, that’s my word for now. Ellie

Word Web Vocabulary - recommended on Heidi Hayes-Jacobs' website - Moving vocabulary from the edge of language arts to its center