Vocabulary Helper

[RUDisney]

My DS is in 4th grade and is struggling in reading, not because of comprehension, but because he doesn't have a mastery of vocabulary. Since he spent his first 6 years speaking Russian, he doesn't have a vocabulary that is on par with an American born child.

So, I'm looking for suggestions to help us improve his vocabulary. They can be online, software-based, book based or games that we can play to help him. He got his report card yesterday and got A's in everything except Reading. I've requested a conference with his teacher to see what we can do together to improve his reading skills through vocabulary. DS thinks this is what his deficiency is as did his reading teacher last year. Last year, he believed that time will help, and I'm sure it will, but I'd also like for him to have the opportunity to improve his grade for his own self-esteem while making faster progress in this area.

So, teachers and parents of the DIS.... any suggestions?

 

[golfgal]

http://www.edu4kids.com/index.php?page=11

This site has a vocabulary drill but it might be too advanced but it is worth a try. I think there are some Reader Rabbit/Jump Start type computer games that would be helpful. The more reading you do with him, the more he will learn, too. I would just make sure he knows that if he comes across a word or you come across a word that he doesn't know that he asks what it is or looks it up.

You could also have him pick out say 10 words/week from the dictionary, start with a children's dictionary, that he needs to learn the meaning and spelling. I would just have him randomly open a page and then point to a word. Write it down on an index card and make a flash card out of it. You can keep the flash cards and review all the words occasionally. You could also hang them up in his room or someplace where he would see them often.

 

[Parkhopper]

The best way to build vocabulary is to read, read, read. I would have him start with easier books (below his grade level) and have him look up any unfamiliar words. You should read to him too. When you read, use books that are a bit ABOVE his grade level, but expect to stop to explain or look up unfamiliar words. Eventually with a lot of reading (on both of your parts), he will improve his vocabulary dramatically.

Suzi