Learning Vocabulary Can Be Fun!

Using Analogy Games To Build Vocabulary

Analogies are used to show relationships between words. For example, if you were told that “near” relates to “far” in the same way that “small” is related to “big.” You would be able to understand the relationship and meanings of the words. Colons are often used for demonstration.

near: far
small: big

Relationships among words may be shown through the usage of analogies. The above example would be displayed as:

“near is to far as small is to big”

Opposites are common types of analogies. As the word suggests, opposites are the other of two related things. Since words only have a single opposite, these are usually straightforward.

Vocabulary.co.il offers some excellent games for practicing and using analogies. Their Analogy games allow students to simply pick the answer that completes the analogy.

SpellingCity.com also offers several analogies based games. you can find word lists of analogies, see analogies examples, learn about types of analogies, and compare analogy vs. metaphor.

Once students understand that analogies are all based on relationships. They can use the concepts already learned to pair the words.

What is a Hig Pig?

To demonstrate the Hig Page word game, I might ask:

“What is a word puzzle game in which the answer is two rhyming words, both with just one syllable?”

And the answer is: “Hig Pig!”

I fondly remember playing ‘Hig Pig’ as a child. We played regularly during car rides and sometimes at the dinner table. I’m pleased to say that my kids now enjoy playing it. For those of you who don’t know what a Hig Pig is, it’s a word game that asks you to solve a riddle. The answers are two rhyming one-syllable words.
There’s no order nor score keeping and it’s easy to play.

Simply announce your hig pig clues to the other players as quickly as you can make them up. When someone guesses an answer, they shout it out. For example: “What is a hig pig for an overweight feline? Answer: a fat cat.”

There are also higgy piggies where the answers are two words, each with two syllables. For example: “What do you call a crab-like creature involved in organized crime? A mobster lobster!” (My daughter made that one up!)
There is joy and satisfaction when someone dreams up a good one. Now that I’m involved in education, I understand how important these games were to building the language skills that I carry with me today.

And here’s something new for Vocabulary.co.il. You can now Facebook share or like them. You can tweet them. Click here to play and then to share…

New No Charge Writing Instruction Resources

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Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills on February 2nd, 2012
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Personalized Gift Ideas from VocabSpellingCity

Several months back, a VocabularySpellingCity member shared a great idea with us. She had created a word list, customized the sentences and e-mailed her dad a personalized crossword puzzle on Father’s Day. She even customized the clues and words so it was very meaningful. Why not have your students create unique, personalized holiday gifts using VocabularySpellingCity? Here are some ideas: Family Trivia – Create a word list for individual family members and customize the sentences to personalize them. For instance, “Mom’s nickname for her youngest son” or “The street that we used to live on.” Load MatchIt Sentences or WhichWord? Sentences with your custom word list and print it on nice paper for a gift.

Holiday Traditions – How about putting together a customized word list based on holiday traditions that your family holds dear? Then play a game or two using that list when the family gets together to celebrate! Holiday Phrases – Try making a word list based on popular holiday phrases or songs. Customize the sentences to reflect these phrases or lyrics. Have your children play Sentence Unscramble to try and figure out the holiday phrase or song. Premium Members can create their own personalized Crossword Puzzles or a holiday-themed Word-O-Rama word game show. Anyone can use our Christmas or Hanukkah word lists from the Teacher Resources section to play any of our 25 learning games and activities! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills on December 15th, 2011
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Vocabulary Games for each Grade Level

Did you know that there are games organized for every grade level on Vocabulary.co.il? From the youngest readers to the SAT-prep students, we have educational word games for you! Teachers usually don’t have time to go searching for games that they can be sure will work with their students, so we have done the work FOR you.

Elementary School Vocabulary Games

Middle School Vocabulary Games

High School Vocabulary Games

Each grade level has a wide variety of games to choose from, depending on the targeted skills for that age group. You will find game categories such as analogies, parts of speech, contractions, context and definition, synonyms/antonyms, suffix/prefix, spelling, and foreign languages.

First Graders, for instance, will have fun choosing between games like Contractions Memory Match and Compound Words, Transportation. Tenth graders, on the other hand, will be choosing between games like 100 High School Word Search and Pick the Synonym: College Prep.

If you are a parent, teacher, or student, it is time to take advantage of the grade-level vocabulary games you can find at Vocabulary.co.il!

Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills on December 5th, 2011
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Help Google Pick the Best Latin Games

Sometimes, I agree with Google. I just googled “Typing Games for Kids” and number one is a page with 20 different typing games on the Kids Learning Games website. It is a great collection of keyboarding games. I only regret that when I learned to type, it was with boring exercises on a typewriter.

But, I don’t agree with Google’s choice of the best Latin learning games. I think the best set of Latin games are on Vocabulary.co.il’s site but Google has them listed on the third page. Here’s where you can help! First, try these games and see if you think they’re fun and effective. If so, you should help Google rate them higher.

To help move these games up in the search engines, and to help your friends find them, you should share the page to your Facebook page or tweet about it. You could also link to the page from your website or blog. This all helps Google decide to move the site up in the engine. It’s your civilis officium (civic duty) to lend Google a hand.

BTW, do you know any Latin? I’ll bet that you might surprise yourself. You might find that you know more than you thought! For example, I bet you already know that status quo is Latin for the current state of affairs. And I’ll give you this thought pro bono (without charge). You’ll soon see that Latin roots are sine quanon (indispensable). Especially if you want to graduate magna cum laude (with high honors).

Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills on October 7th, 2011
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Best Games for Building English Vocabulary Skills

I’ve reviewed the usage data from users, the educational value of the games, and added a little personal preference and here, in time for back to school study, the Best Five English Vocabulary Learning Games. The countdown:
5)	English Idioms game.. This game teaches and tests your understanding of current American English idiomatic expressions or slang. The expressions are current and appropriate in business and academic settings. To be “on pins and needles” or “ready to explode.” One means that you’ve over eaten, the other means full of anticipation. But which is which?
4)	Homophone Games. A whole page of them – Homophones sound alike but differ in meaning. These are organized by elementary, middle, and high school level. Do you want to confuse naval with navel? Medal with meddle? Serial with cereal? Better to play now and avoid embarrassment later!
3)	SAT-Level Game Show: Word-O-Rama! - This wild and wacky game show is one of dozens of games using SAT (high school) level words. We all need to sharpen our vocabulary, this is a fun way for students and adults.
2)	Oxymorons – Oxymorons are contradiction of terms. These can be difficult to teach. When using games, the irony becomes apparent of oxymorons such as “crash landing” or “jumbo shrimp.”
1)	Synonyms Homophones Matching Game – A surprising brain twister, this flash word matching games has pairs of homophones (ie too, two) which must be matched with the closest synonyms (ie additional, couple).
Lastly, while it’s not really a game, I thought I had to mention the Hurricane Song. I’ve just listened to it non-stop since Hurricane Ilene started to make headlines. Great for building vocabulary and science understanding.

Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills, learning games, vocabulary activities, vocabulary games, Vocabulary Instruction, word games on September 7th, 2011
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Summer special! Get Over 75% Off on Time4Learning.com

If you’re looking for a fun way to carry learning momentum into the summer, Time4Learning can help! Their online learning program combines technology and education to make learning fun! And July is a great time to try it, because they’re offering new members over 75% off!

Kids love the “outside-the-box” approach and the novelty of using the computer to learn. The interactive program engages them and makes lessons feel more like video games. Parents can relax knowing their kids can use Time4Learning on vacation, at camp or in the comfort of home. This means everybody wins.

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Posted in elementary school, homeschool, Language Arts, learning games, online curriculum, Time4Learning on July 1st, 2011
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How Children Learn About Words

Children learn through observing concrete examples from which they start to understand more abstract patterns.

In learning about words, the first examples of how children learn about the components of words is when they study compound words.

Butterfly, rattlesnake, inside, and grasshopper…these words with their history are fun for young minds to contemplate.

And when students master the concept in kindergarten through second grade that words have history and are put together out of other pieces, they are ready for the rest of elementary school to study prefixes, sufixxes, word roots, and country of origin.

Compound Words, Videos, Lesson Plans, and Games on VocabSpellingCity.com

Prefix games on Vocabulary.co.il

Suffix games on Vocabulary.co.il

Root Word games on Vocabulary.co.il

Posted in Building Vocabulary Skills, compound word games, prefixes, root word games, suffixes on June 27th, 2011
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Confusing sound alike words: Homophones

Note – you should read this aloud for the best effect:
A bear walks into an ice cream parlor, goes up to the counter and says, “I’d like a sugar cone …..with a …..single……scoop of …. chocolate, please.”The ice cream man says, “Sure thing, but, why the big pause?”

The bear shrugs and says (holding up his big paws), “I was born this way.”

Sound alike words, or homophones, can be confusing for students, especially non-native English speakers.

For some practice on distinguishing commonly confused words: accept, except; to, two, too; paws, pause; addition, edition; and many more, play the sound-alikes or homophones games on Vocabulary.co.il.

For an explanation of many different types of confusing terms, visit VocabSpellingCity.com’s pages on homophones, homonyms, sound-alike word,capitonyms, and other teaching resources.