Words are power. Words are beauty. A word can change the world. English teachers are the keepers of words. They spend their lives sharing words with their students, so they can carry them into the future.
Good teachers dedicate their lives to helping their students grow and succeed. They study teaching techniques, ways to present material, and ideas about every aspect of teaching. They devote time and effort to learning what the research has to say. Many earn graduate degrees to be more effective in the classroom. It takes a lot of energy to be a good teacher.
One of the most critical things all teachers can do is expand a student’s vocabulary. There are many ideas about how to best do that.
The Technique
There is a painless way to increase the vocabulary of all children, and it is not a difficult habit to develop. Not only can it be used by teachers, but it can be used by parents, as well. This works with students of any age from pre-kindergarten through high school senior although it can be a challenge for high school teachers.
During class, as you talk, add a sentence with another word you feel would be good for your students to learn. For example:
- The girl in the story was beautiful. In fact, she was exquisite.
- That was a hard problem. It was very difficult.
- He hated all vegetables, but he especially detested collard greens.
When you make this a habit, students begin to pick up the words. They don’t have to study. They don’t even have to practice. The words you use will surround them and, after time, will be incorporated into their own vocabularies.
The Challenge
Another good idea that not only improves your students
