Reading Skills, Homonyms, and Homophones

The Reading Skills Pyramid illustrates a typical sequence for acquiring reading skills for use by parents for homeschools and enrichment. The reading skills are organized using the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) system. The "What Works?" Report found that the five key areas in learning to read are phonemic awareness, phonics, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and reading fluency.

Homonyms & Homophones Homonyms are words that share the same spelling and the same pronunciation but have different meanings.  For example, bear.  A bear (the animal) can bear (tolerate) very cold temperatures. The driver turned left (opposite of right) and left (departed from) the main road.  Homophones, also known as sound-alike words, are words that are pronounced identically although they have different spellings and meanings.  These words are a very common source of confusion when writing.  Common examples of sets of homophones include: to, too, and two; they're and their; bee and be; sun and son; which and witch; and plain and plane.  SpellingCity is a particularly useful tool for learning to correctly spell the soundalike words. Homographs Homographs are words that are spelled the same, but have different meanings and different pronunciations. Some examples of homographs are: bass as in fish vs bass as in music, bow as in arrow vs bow as in bending or taking a bow at the end of a performance, close as in next to vs close as in shut the door, desert as in dry climate vs desert as in leaving alone. Currently, SpellingCity cannot distinguish between homographs, as we are unable to have two pronounciations for the exact same word. We are looking for possibilities in the future.

The Reading Skills Pyramid

Build Vocabulary Skills - One Section in the Reading Skills Pyramid

The Reading Skills Pyramid illustrates that there are many steps to becoming a proficient reader. Generally, the skills can be split into two halves: one half is word decoding which is made up of phonemic awareness, phonics. The other half is made up of a set of skills that falls into three categories: comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

The Reading Skills Pyramid

All parents want their children to become effective readers. 

But, when these parents attempt to educate themselves about reading, they tend to find two types of literature, neither of which are of much use to them. 

There are the "rah rah" articles which lecture parents to fill their house full of books and to take 20 minutes/day to read with their children. While this is good advice, it is not a panacea nor does it provide any insight into the process. On the other hand, there are academic papers full of jargon and complex debates about the process of learning to read. The "rah rah" articles over-simplify; the academics over-complicate.

 

What has been lacking has been information for parents which simply summarizes the current thinking on teaching reading and helps parent understand what the expectations are at each level of education.

Building Vocabulary

The Significance of Building Vocabulary Words

Building vocabulary words is key to reading, to writing, to verbal expression, and in many ways, vocabulary is key to building analytical and critical thinking. A person's vocabulary skills can be measured in terms of building receptive vocabulary (ie understanding) words and their expressive vocabulary words. People can build their expressive vocabulary in two ways that can get measured: the written vocabulary words or their spoken vocabulary words. Building vocabulary skills improves reading comprehension and reading fluency. Without building a large vocabulary, students cannot read successfully.

Building Vocabulary & Learning Words Starts at Home

Building vocabulary is far more than memorizing words. Ideally, children should be brought up in a rich language environment which is language- and word- conscious. Children take up attitudes and learn from their parents so building vocabulary starts as a family affair. Children are greatly influenced generally by the amount of conversation, by the nature of the conversation (and the vocabulary used), and the "word awareness" of the family.There are a great number of families where vocabulary word games are played with the children as an ongoing game to build vocabulary and "word awareness" skills including phonemic awareness. These games can build vocabulary and phonemic awareness.

Techniques for Building Vocabulary Words - Reading & Other Media

The best method for building vocabulary is to be an active reader. But, there are differences between skilled active readers and less skilled passive ones (see reading comprehension) Students should learn to decode vocabulary words thru a vocabulary building techniques such as context clues and word roots. Word roorts means that students should learn to define words by learning the meanings of root words, prefixes and suffixes. Knowing the basics of the Latin and Greek word roots in English is useful and helps students get insight into how the English language vocabulary words derived and are structured. The use of media greatly affects the building of vocabulary. Some television programs use a large and rich vcoabulary, others are mostly explosions. Whereas many contemporary and classcial films (especially the musicals) had great conversations and rich vocabulary, many others are noticable for their poor quality of conversation (the Power Ranger might stand out as having the most limited vocabulary. Whole episodes consist of a dialogue such as "Lets do it" and "Watch out!", not exactly a sound track to build vocabulary. In interactive media, there are games where the entire sound track is explosions, there are interactive systems with rich vocabulary building, such as Time4Learning.

Time4Learning's Approach to Building Vocabulary Words

Time4Learning helps students review commonly misused words and phrases. There are vocabulary games to build vocabulary word skills through synonyms, antonyms and homonyms. There are strategies, skills, and individual word instruction that students needed to build vocabulary proficiency.

For more information on how the reading skills are developed, look at the Time4Learning Reading Skills Pyramid.

Learning English Vocabulary

Many of Vocabulary Learning Fun’s vocabulary word games are organized with dozens of categories of vocabulary lists. By making connections between words and ideas, and between words and pictures, we build vocabulary skills. Connections between vocabulary words make the process of building vocabulary skills faster and more efficient. This grouping of knowledge by topic is a cornerstone of the vocabulary.co.il learning website.

The fun of English vocabulary games can help both native and foreign speakers of English build their English language vocabulary skills. There are vocabulary word games for all levels of English

Analogy Games 
Antonym Games 
Compound Word Games 
Context Games
Contraction Games 
Foreign Language Games 
Hig Pig Games
Homophone Games 
Idioms Games

Oxymoron Games 
Parts of Speech Games 
Prefix Games 
Root Word Games 
Spelling Games 
Suffix Games 
Syllable Games 
Synonym Games 
Word Play Games 

Four Types of Sentences and the Effect of Punctuation

When students learn to write, they begin by learning about the four types of sentences and the role punctuation plays in determining and creating those different sentence types.

The four types of sentences in the English language include:

• Declarative sentence
• Imperative sentence
• Interrogative sentence
• Exclamatory sentence

And there are only three punctuation marks with which to end a sentence:

Best Way To Increase Vocabulary

Undoubtedly the best way to increase vocabulary is with computer software packages. Other methods such as plain reading, word games, self-help videos, DVDs, and CDs are all valid, and can help in their own way, but if you want to get long-lasting, positive resultsquickly, then you will be better off if you choose learning by computer.

Why is using a computer the best way to increase vocabulary? Well, just ask yourself what is more convenient – wading through a massive dictionary finding words, taking notes, closing the book, then returning to it to check you have spelled it right, and got the correct definition, or using a computer where everything you need comes up on a handy screen, and keeps all your notes, exercises, tests, word lists and dictionary all in one place? Besides, try and find anyone who doesn’t think using a computer is fun.

Effective answers to the question – ‘How can I improve my vocabulary’ –
The article has all that is required to know about increasing your vocabulary starting from the reason to improve till the different effective ways to improve.

A few tips on how to learn vocabulary –
The article is full of effective tips that will help you improve your vocabulary in simple easy steps.

A simple strategy of how to expand vocabulary –
If you looking at ways to improve your vocabulary, this article is a must read with loads of strategic techniques that will help increase your vocabulary.

An excellent method of expanding vocabulary –
The article details about the one single most efficient method of vocabulary building that can be used by almost everyone.

Compare Vocabulary Software –
This is a detailed comparison report of the various software products available in the market for vocabulary building.

Best Way To Increase Vocabulary -
The article focuses on the most effective way of using the Ultimate Vocabulary software to improve your vocabulary.

Building Vocabulary Adults –
The article breaks the myth that adults do not require excellent vocabulary and provides three top reasons in its support.

How To Read Faster And Retain Information

Would you like to learn how to read faster and retain information? There are a lot of people today that not only want to do this but they also need to. We live in a fast paced world. Everything needs to be done quickly. There is many times where you will need to read something as quick as you can and also remember everything that you just read. You can learn to do this by using a speed reading software.

There are software’s that you can buy all over the internet that will help you to learn the techniques on speed reading. Some of them work good and some of them not so good. You can either check out a few of these to see if they will do the job for you or you can go right to the best and try the 7 Speed-Reading software program.

Does Photo Reading Really Work –
The article is about photo reading in detail and the ways in which it can help in speed reading.

Breakthrough Rapid Reading –
This is an informational article about the well-established technique of rapid reading and its originator Peter Kump.

Determining the Best Speed Reading Software–
The article analyses the different speed reading software available based on each of their features.

Do You Need To Read Faster and Comprehend More? –
The article ponders over the relation between fast reading and understanding and also lists how software can bridge both.

How To Read Faster And Retain Information –
This is an informational article on how to learn to read fast by using the 7-Speed Reading program.

Vocabulary and Speed Reading

ocabulary is Fun is a leading vocabulary website worldwide with the best flash online word games. The vocabulary games include an online word search, an online crossword puzzle, and hangman online (our version is called HangMouse). Users choose the vocabulary list that the online word game will use in the word game. The vocabulary games are popular for use on smart boards for word games to build vocabulary skills in classrooms.

Many people build their English vocabulary through a blend of methods — by taking English classes, reading books, watching movies in English, and studying English with English language software. Playing word and vocabulary games is a valuable part of learning English. There are thousands of vocabulary words in our vocabulary lists.

Vocabulary.co.il is a fun educational website dedicated to helping you build reading, phonics, or English language skills. We offer Free Online Word Games which are specifically designed to build vocabulary skills and to motivate people to learn through fun practice in spelling, phonics, and vocabulary.

Speed Reading

A Great Speed Reading Program –
The article tells us what to look for in a speed reading program and how the 7-Speed Reading program fits the criteria perfectly.

How to Read Faster –
This article talks about the aspect of fast reading and the 7 strategies that will help achieve speed in reading.

Anyone Can Learn Speed Reading –
The article is a detailed analysis of basic blocks of speed reading and methods to overcome those blocks and achieve the required speed in reading.

A Guide to Speed Reading Software –
This is a guide that elaborates on speed reading, the problems associated with it and the role of software to achieve high reading speeds.

3 Easy Ways to Read Faster–
This article discusses on the various habits that slows reading and talks about 3 ways that will help you read fast.

An In-Depth Look at Speed Reading Programs – Which is the Best?–
This article analyses the various Speed Reading Programs in the market and provides tips on finding the best one.

A Quick Guide to the Best Speed Reading Software –
This is a manual about the different Speed Reading Software available in the market and methods to pick the right one.

Importance of Vocabulary

This vocabulary and spelling website is doing fantastic things for kids education. Is it the unnamed feature in the current ATT TV ads for spelling bees that have been obsoleted by high-achieving Internet-based education?


“Actions speak louder than words.” Do you agree? Sure, but sometimes words speak louder than anything else. The words a person uses, or their vocabulary, will often tell their story. For example, isn’t it shocking when the person who looks educated and dignified opens their mouth and their vocabulary horrifies everyone around them? What people say and how they say it, speaks volumes about who they are and what they are capable of.

Thus vocabulary learning is an important vital part of education. As part of the language arts, it is considered a CORE subject in formal education. Vocabulary can be built chiefly by two methods: reading and formal vocabulary drill and practice. Obviously, reading is an exercise that has its own rewards, and many students are motivated to enjoy it as a pastime. However, formal vocabulary building is usually not viewed as a “fun” task and is typically left in neglect.


SpellingCity is here to change that view by enabling students in all forms of education to enjoy formal but fun vocabulary drill and practice. Though Spelling City assists teachers and student across the world in spelling proficiency, building vocabulary skill is the underlying but primary goal. Formal vocabulary skill is most effectively taught by drill and practice. Sadly, this is where the interest of most students gets lost. Yet, what if the drill consisted of vocabulary games with animation, how about practice that lets you use the vocabulary in sentences set in a fun game environment? These games are designed not only to develop accurate spelling, but chiefly to develop a greater understanding of word meaning.

Learning to Read - Basle Readers?

I saw some interesting research recently on how kids learn to read in terms of what system is being used in the classroom. I'll try to find it. The choices as I remember were between:
- using and following strictly a self-contained basle reader
- generally following and supplementing a basle reader
- not following a basle reader and using lots of supplementary books.

It is in this context that I'm looking at how popular the Reading Street Word Lists for grades 1-5 are on SpellingCity. Are they part of a basle reader program or an alternative?

Building Vocabulary to Read Better

I jsut leanred a great d3eal from lookign at the Reading Sklls Pyramid.  I was tyring to understand how vocabulary contributes to reading skills.

Building Vocabulary Words



The definitions from the Report of the National Reading Panel (2000):

•Phonemic Awareness - the ability to hear and identify sounds in spoken words.

•Phonics - the relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language.

•Fluency - the capacity to read text accurately and quickly.

•Comprehension - the ability to understand and gain meaning from what has been read.

•Vocabulary - the words students must know to communicate effectively.
 
Techniques for Building Vocabulary Words - Reading & Other Media


The best method for building vocabulary is to be an active reader. But, there are differences between skilled active readers and less skilled passive ones (see reading comprehension) Students should learn to decode vocabulary words thru a vocabulary building techniques such as context clues and word roots. Word roorts means that students should learn to define words by learning the meanings of root words, prefixes and suffixes. Knowing the basics of the Latin and Greek word roots in English is useful and helps students get insight into how the English language vocabulary words derived and are structured. The use of media greatly affects the building of vocabulary. Some television programs use a large and rich vcoabulary, others are mostly explosions. Whereas many contemporary and classcial films (especially the musicals) had great conversations and rich vocabulary, many others are noticable for their poor quality of conversation (the Power Ranger might stand out as having the most limited vocabulary. Whole episodes consist of a dialogue such as "Lets do it" and "Watch out!", not exactly a sound track to build vocabulary. In interactive media, there are games where the entire sound track is explosions, there are interactive systems with rich vocabulary building, such as Time4Learning.

Writing Great Paragraphs for Standardized Tests

Now that standardized tests often include writing samples, many families are working to build their students writing skills. So many parents get confused however when faced with instructions like: "Avoid unnecessary details." 

What does that mean? Who is to say what is necessary or not? I had an "aha" moment where I better understood this when I saw this table put together by the Time4Writing people about the secrets of writing successful paragraphs.

Writing paragraphs is the foundation of all essay writing, whether you’re writing in the expository, persuasive, narrative, or creative form. In order to write a good paragraph, you need to understand the four essential elements of paragraph writing and how each element contributes to the whole. At Time4Writing, we help students build writing skills by focusing on the fundamentals. And nothing is more fundamental than writing a paragraph.



The following example illustrates the importance of the elements of unity, order, coherency, and completeness in paragraph writing, all of which are reinforced in writing courses taught by Time4Writing. 
Definitely click through to see their table!

Vocabulary Practice for Test Prep

Test preparation, from GMAT test prep down to K12 standardized tests, is a big challenge for so many people. There are so many ways to practice and develop your vocabulary strength.  Some people use GMAT tutors:

Doing well on the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is essential for getting into the graduate school that you’d like to attend. Graduate schools often use the GMAT to help determine whether an applicant will be successful at pursuing their graduate degree. Using a GMAT tutor, or tutoring site, can considerably improve your score on the test. Vocabulary.co.il has all the essentials to prepare you for the verbal part of the exam. Vocabulary is Fun can help you organize for the GMAT vocabulary section and rapidly increase your score. We have a broad selection of free online vocabulary games, test-taking strategies, and other valuable tools. With Vocabulary.co.il as your GMAT tutor, you’ll be at graduate school in no time!


The GMAT vocabulary section is a basic test of mastery of correct English usage and facility with using context clues and logic requiring strong English language mastery.