Monday, February 15, 2016

A Reason for Reading: Vocabulary Improvement

Parents always want to know how to help their student improve their standardized test scores.  Whatever the age of your child, read this entire post, because the sooner you implement this advice, the better the score will be.

It's really very simple:  read to them and have them read.

Don't fall into the trap of loading them up on 'mind candy' with the excuse of 'at least they are reading'.  

Reading should stretch them just a bit, not just make them comfortable.

If they are reading (or you are reading to them), they should encounter some words they don't know.  When they do, they should look up the definition.

With that being said, here are some books that are not hard to read, but include some vocabulary stretching words.

The first one, For Two, is a shameless plug for a book written by my 18 year old son.  This book is appropriate for students as young as fifth grade, but even adults will find some vocabulary building words (raising my hand, here).
  





Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold is for high school students and above.  It is classified as sci-fi romance.  Again, there are some good vocabulary words, but not so many as to slow down the reading process.



The Count of Monte Cristo  by Alexandre Dumas is a favorite of mine full of swashbuckling and adventure.  I have taught this in a co-op class and the students loved it.  It is part of a series, so don't stop at just this book.



The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper, is an historical fiction adventure.  Another great story that will painlessly enhance the readers' vocabulary.

 

There are many lists of classics to read and I trust you can use google to find those lists.  I have tried to list books here that will appeal to both males and females, but are often overlooked.  

Read to your children daily.
Require your students to read daily.
 

What books do you recommend?  

karentrina.com is a participant in the Amazon affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commission by linking to amazon. com  This means if you click on a link that goes to Amazon and choose to purchase that product or another product, Amazon will pay me a small percentage for sending you there.  If you shop at Amazon and would like to support my website (no cost to you) you can do so by clicking on one of my affiliate links (easiest to find at book reviews) to get to Amazon.  

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karentrina.com is a participant in the Amazon affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commission by linking to amazon. com  This means if you click on a link that goes to Amazon and choose to purchase that product or another product, Amazon will pay me a small percentage for sending you there.  If you shop at Amazon and would like to support my website (no cost to you) you can do so by clicking on one of my affiliate links (easiest to find at book reviews) to get to Amazon.  
- See more at: http://www.karentrina.com/p/about-me.html#sthash.D9qOcrlc.dpuf
karentrina.com is a participant in the Amazon affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commission by linking to amazon. com  This means if you click on a link that goes to Amazon and choose to purchase that product or another product, Amazon will pay me a small percentage for sending you there.  If you shop at Amazon and would like to support my website (no cost to you) you can do so by clicking on one of my affiliate links (easiest to find at book reviews) to get to Amazon.  

  - See more at: http://www.karentrina.com/p/about-me.html#sthash.D9qOcrlc.dpuf
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