3/4/10
Dear Teachers and Parents:
You know how it is. Just tell a child that they are not old enough or ready to do something, and they are sure to want to do it! I wouldn’t admit to consciously using this ploy when I designed Word Web Vocabulary, but I acknowledge (“fess up”) that it’s an unwritten element in the program.
Undoubtedly, you already know that each of Word Web Vocabulary's three volumes presents 30 lessons, each of which has a web of words related to just one root, prefix or suffix of either Greek or Latin origin. Each word is color-and shape-coded to designate learning levels: Beginner, intermediate, advanced and challenging. The structure within each of Word Web's lessons reaches students in grades 5-10 at each one's current level of comprehension while taking into account age and grade differences.
Opposite each web are the definitions of all the words for that lesson. I always reassure beginner or intermediate learners that they don’t have to bother with the words that are too hard for them, but, of course, they read them anyway and hear them discussed in the classroom. So, although they are not held responsible for learning these more difficult words, they are exposed and quite often absorb (and enjoy!) them.
Awesome Associations® (words in another language that demonstrate a common lineage), Bonus Blasts® (words, such as biogeography, dentiloquist and hemidemisemiquaver), composed of many word parts and Cool Connections® (words not usually recognized for their relationship to a particular root) are three of Word Web’s many special features that draw all students into the learning process.
Back to my ploys for getting children to enjoy learning: Never, ever tell a student that they are going to love this exercise or that the next lesson is FUN! They’ve heard that before and it didn’t always pan out. Let students discover delight for themselves. “Hey, this Cool Connection really is cool!” Encourage those who want to enjoy a Bonus Blast to do so; enjoy it with them, because I’ll bet you’ll find that you didn’t know these yourself (any more than I did when I came across them)! It’s also probably wise not to say, “And this will help you with the _____________________ (whatever your state calls its standardized tests). Although it certainly will, stick to subtlety, be creative!
That’s my Word for this time.
Ellie
