In this lesson, we looked at ways to help students increase their vocabulary. We started by acknowledging that older methods like rote memorisation of long lists of definitions are not optimal. Instead, we should focus only on a few words a week, especially at an early elementary level. However, those words should be heavily incorporated into the classroom, ranging from activities to a word wall. However, students will encounter words in places other than vocabulary units, so they should be taught techniques like using context clues to understand a new word based on surrounding description. Finally, teachers should be encouraged to help students use vocabulary terms regularly. Students should be encouraged to learn synonyms like synonyms of happy are joyful, merry, glad. But while learning synonyms, make sure to double check their use. For e.g. clear = lucid, but you cannot say ‘The graph lucidly shows’.
Only use synonyms that you are confident you have seen in the correct context Students can also learn negative forms (antonyms). Like What’s the opposite of equal? Unequal? Inequal? Check it, make a note and watch your spelling! Antonyms can be helpful for enhancing your vocabulary You can also adopt a habit to check the style/register of the word: A dictionary will tell you if a word is formal, slang. So you need to know if it is better to say ‘kids‘ (informal) or ‘children’ You can also make your own ‘Vocabulary Bag’ in which you must write new words along with their meanings. So, keep reading and paying attention to different words used to express various views and meanings in everyday speech and writing to improve your vocabulary.