Vocabulary Development

Over the summer you can strengthen your vocabulary. When students swear, I suggest to them it is because their vocabulary isn't developed sufficiently to have word to express accurately how they feel. This idea of words being able to express thoughts and sentiments is an important concept to convey in a population where most students are continually exposed to swearing in their lives outside of school.

I believe that if you have a well-developed vocabulary, you are more able to express what you want to say. Some students understood that. They began studying vocabulary.

But, the point is, to truly integrate that vocabulary into their brains, they need to use it. Summer is a perfect time to put that use to work. Practicing new words can be fun. A big vocabulary helps you understand more in life. What new word did you learn today?

(c)2007 J. S. Shipman