Something different than Wordly Wise

[tld]

We have just done one lesson in Wordly Wise, but I just dont think its going to work.  Things like definitions from a big list of words just dont stick in DS's mind even for a few seconds so that he can answer the problems correctly.  So what else could we use for vocabulary development for a 4th grader that would look considerably different from Wordly Wise?  A friend showed me Marie's Words and I've been debating that as pictures have worked well with him for learning things like math facts, but is there anything else that might work?

[Violet Crown]

I've been making this recommendation for years: Word Wealth Jr. A search of previous threads should produce Mrs. Twain's and my shameless flogging of this old classic and its sequel, Word Wealth. $6 on Bookfinder.com, I notice.

 

ETA: It might be a little early for WWJ, which seems to be middle school-ish.

Edited August 22, 2016 by Violet Crown

[MerryAtHope]

For something considerably different--simply read aloud to him, discuss words you think are new, encourage him to use a new word as many times as he can that day, encourage him to ask you about words when you read aloud, have conversations but don't "dumb down" your vocabulary--instead, restate a word or phrase the way a book written for kids might casually do. Here's more on building a child's vocabulary.

[Lori D.]

We did a lot of vocabulary learning via the method MerryAtHope described, but I also know not all children absorb vocabulary in that way.

 

Another option might be a root-word based vocabulary program, which provides context for the specific words (the root), which also provides tools for decoding future unknown words based on those roots:

 

English From the Roots Up (gr. 3+)

Vocabulary Vine (gr. 3+) -- by an old-time WTMer, and who created the Paula's Archives website!

Critical Thinking Press: Word Roots Beginning (gr. 3-4); Word Roots A-1 (gr. 4-6)

Vocabulary From Classical Roots, gr. 4

Red Hot Root Words, book 1 (gr. 3-5)

 

Other possibilities:

Rummy Roots Game -- sort of Go Fish/Concentration card game to learn roots and associated words

Vocabulary Cartoons -- word + picture + goofy story association

Edited August 22, 2016 by Lori D.

[AMJ]

A couple of years ago we switched to Michael Clay Thompson's Language Arts program (MCTLA) from Royal Fireworks Press.  What I was looking for was something that coordinated the different parts of Language Arts, and this certainly does it.  The various components of MCTLA are designed to work together, but they can also be used as stand-alone items, too.  You don't say what age your child(ren) is/are, so I don't know which levels to suggest.  The Elementary school levels have Caesar's English I & II, which my kids really enjoyed.  This year we are doing his (new!) Level 4, which focuses on studying English as it pertains to Literature.  So far we like that a lot, too (just started, though).  The next levels are approaching/in high school, and the vocabulary component there is The Word Within the Word.

[LEK]

Having never used wordly wise I am not sure if this will look considerably different but we are using working with words and enjoying it. At only $2 for a workbook that lasts us all year it is great value too (I do not have the teacher guide and we have not needed it)

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/054738

[Hypatia.]

My oldest switched to Vocabulary from Classical Roots last spring and it's been a good fit for him. Previously he was doing Vocabulary Workshop, which I liked and he despised.

[Guest]

I second mct root words program. There's is a level before Cesar's English, though.

 

And I will add zaner blozer word wisdom. Workbooks only is fine imo.

[kbutton]

I second mct root words program. There's is a level before Cesar's English, though.

 

And I will add zaner blozer word wisdom. Workbooks only is fine imo.

 

I second Word Wisdom. There is a recent thread on this board about it that you might want to check out.

[Mrs Twain]

I agree with Violet Crown's post about WWJ. I have my kids begin that in 6th grade, and it is my favorite vocabulary program by far.

 

Before 6th my kids do Vocabulary Workshop. I like it much better than Wordly Wise, but it sounds as if you may be looking for something non-workbookish.

[gstharr]

Are you using Wordly books or on-line?  We started with the books, then discovered the online.  Much more engaging with pronunciation, and auto grading.  Into our second year of online. My son loves it. Regularly on 1/2 price sale at Homeschool coop.  btw, The subscription is per year, so you can easily get two grade levels completed during the period.

[mom31257]

I'm liking Vocabu-Lit because it uses words in context from classic literature.

 

http://www.rainbowresource.com/searchspring.php?q=vocabu-lit

 

[kaxy]

Vocabulary Cartoon of the  Day -- some are more amusing than others, but sometimes humor helps make it stick. 

 

Along those lines for humor and vocab, The Vocab Show DVD. Takes a Greek and Latin roots approach. Silly humor.

 

Vocabu-lit might be worth a look, and another workbook approach to consider is Vocabulary Workshop. I prefer the later editions, as they use words in context with a little story as well. I like how they explore nuances of words.