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PBS Ready To Learn is supported by a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education, PR/Award Number R295A00002 Fun with Big Words

Fun with Big Words

Elementary school is a crucial time for kids to broaden their

vocabulary skills by learning how to read, spell, define, and

write. From conversing with your kids and making up stories,

to reading aloud to them each day, you create the foundation

for vocabulary development. There are many exciting ways

that you can bond with your kids while building on their

conversational skills.

Give this learning triangle a try and watch your kids have fun

as they learn new words! Watch WordGirl defeat Mr. Big’s

big, complicated words. Then, read Miss Alaineus: A

Vocabulary Disaster and use its bonus materials to join Sage

in conquering spelling! Help your children collect their

newfound vocabulary words in their own personal picture

dictionary. Learning new words doesn’t have to be boring

memorization. Help your kids become a word wizard through

our learning triangle!

VIEW:

WordGirl (#116)

Mr. Big Words Wednesday, March 4, 2009 @ 4:30 p.m.

WordGirl follows the adventures of mild-mannered fifth

grader, Becky Bostford, who becomes WordGirl. WordGirl is

busier than ever when Mr. Big invents a ray that causes

everyone in town to use big, complicated words. Follow

Wordgirl as she uses vocabulary words and lots of

definitions to rescue the town from miscommunication!

After you watch…

Help your kids act out the words that WordGirl

had to clarify. As they act it out, have them say

it out loud to help them better remember it.

You could even use the words from the episode

to play charades with your kids!

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PBS Ready To Learn is supported by a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education, PR/Award Number R295A00002 Fun with Big Words

Other Recommended Books:

Many Luscious Lollipops: A Book about Adjectives, by

Ruth Heller

The Boy Who Loved Words, by Roni Schotter and Giselle

Potter (Illustrator)

Hairy, Scary, Ordinary: What Is an An Adjective

(Words are CATegorial series), by Brian P. Cleary

Try playing some of these award-winning word

games with your kids!

Sentence Game for Juniors (Ages 5-9)

Apples to Apples Junior (Ages 7+)

Bethump’d with Words Discovery Edition (Ages 9+)

READ:

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster

By Debra Frasier

Sick at home from school, Sage misunderstands the spelling

of the word “miscellaneous” and is embarrassed at the

school’s Vocabulary Bee. She then turns her experience

around and shows up at the Annual Vocabulary Parade

dressed as “Miss Alaineus, Queen of all Miscellaneous

Things.” Join Sage as she takes her vocabulary disaster and

transforms it into a fun-filled learning experience in a book

filled with clever wordplay, appealing illustrations, and

vocabulary definitions. Frasier’s book combines spelling,

vocabulary, games and costumes all in one, providing an

exciting, hands-on way for kids to learn new words!

DO: Create your own picture dictionary!

Supplies: three-ring binder with loose-leaf pages, scissors,

dictionary, crayons/markers, magazines (optional)

Kids love to make scrapbooks! Help your child set up a three-

ring binder with loose-leaf pages in it labeled with A, B, C,

and so on. Each time your child hears or reads a big word,

have your child look it up in a dictionary. Ask your child to

draw a picture of the word on the appropriate page, then

help write the word below the picture. Alternatively, you can

also help your child cut out pictures from magazines, old

photographs, or flyers.

You can even try making different versions of the picture

dictionary by letting your child design and write menus for

family dinners while you cook. Together, you can create a

delicious and educational menu!