This blog post on how to teach vocabulary in English to Primary School students is written based on our experience. If you are in a hurry and want to improve your kid grade, check out our SAE at Hougang English program.
Engaging and effective strategies on how to teach vocabulary in English to Primary School students
Read Regularly, Widely and Independently
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to expand a school-going child’s vocabulary. Encourage our young ones to read a variety of books. You could also incorporate chapter books and a variety of genres into read-aloud sessions for both child and parent. However, it is also important to encourage independent reading where both of you read independently but come together to discuss new and challenging words encountered and the comprehension aspect of reading.
Do not forget to include non-fiction books, magazines and even our newspapers on topics of interest which can teach your children specific vocabulary related to particular subjects or themes.
For primary school children, typically aged between 6-11 years, books should challenge them slightly more than those for kindergarteners but still be engaging and not too difficult to understand. Here are several age-appropriate books that can help improve vocabulary for primary school
children:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: This classic novel offers complex characters and rich vocabulary, perfect for developing reading and language skills.
Matilda by Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl’s books are known for their unique language, and “Matilda” introduces children to challenging words through an engaging story of a young girl with special powers.
The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne: This series is great for vocabulary acquisition, as each book transports readers to different times and places, introducing them to a wide range of terms and concepts.
The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis: These fantasy novels immerse children in a magical world while enriching their vocabulary with both every day and more advanced language.
The BFG by Roald Dahl: Along with a whimsical language of the titular character, this book will introduce children to a plethora of new words in a fantastical setting.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: A heartwarming tale that helps children learn about friendship and empathy, peppered with a rich vocabulary.
Frindle by Andrew Clements: This innovative book actually centres around the creation of a new word, offering a meta-approach to understanding language and its development.
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks: Provides readers with rich and imaginative vocabulary through the story of a boy and his magical toy Indian.
The Borrowers by Mary Norton: The miniature world of the Borrowers opens up an array of words related to household objects from a unique perspective, expanding the reader’s vocabulary.
When selecting books for primary school children, consider both their reading level and their interests. Books that they find fascinating will naturally encourage them to read more and thus help them encounter and learn new words. Additionally, it’s helpful to engage children in discussions about the books they read, ask them to predict story outcomes, and use new vocabulary words in sentences or writing exercises to reinforce their learning.
Moreover, when children come across unfamiliar words, it’s beneficial to teach them how to use context clues to decipher meanings, as well as how to look words up in the dictionary. This not only helps with vocabulary building but also fosters independence and a proactive approach to
learning.
Play Word Games and Puzzles
Make learning new words fun through games. There are classic games like Scrabble or Boggle that are great for word-building. You can also play Pictionary using new vocabulary words and Charades with words they’ve recently learned. Word search puzzles focusing on current vocabulary lists and Crossword puzzles with definitions as clues should not be overlooked, too.
More improve vocabulary word games could include:
- 20 Questions with Words: Instead of guessing an object, one of you thinks of a word, and the other asks yes or no questions to figure out what the word is.
- Guess the Word: Have a list of words on cards. One of you holds up a card without being able to see it, and the other gives clues to help him guess the word.
- Prefixes and Suffixes Game: Start with a root word and have your child add prefixes and suffixes to make new words.
Vocabulary Instruction and Contextual Learning
Introduce a weekly vocabulary list with words from current curriculum topics your kid is learning in school. Out in the market are aplenty with vocabulary workbooks that are age-appropriate. I encourage you to peruse a few sites that offer free and downloadable worksheets that may prove suitable for your child.
i) www.teacherspayteachers.com
ii) www.weareteachers.com
iii) www.abcmouse.com
Do remember to teach prefixes, suffixes, and root words to help children decipher new words. A good background and knowledge of root words and affixes can help students to infer the meaning of new words through context clues. Encourage your children to learn synonyms (words that have similar meanings) and antonyms (words that have opposite meanings), too, to help them understand word relationships and expand their vocabulary.
Keep Vocabulary Notebooks or Journals
Encourage children to keep a vocabulary notebook where they can write down new words they come across and their meanings and even get to practise using these words in sentences.
Keeping such notebooks allows referrals and the revisit and review of these words regularly to reinforce their learning. Then there is the journal writing. Keeping journals encourage reflections and expressions where opportunities for new words learnt can be constantly used both in prose and in poems.
Here at our centre, we encourage journaling where our booklets have prompts to allow the students to reflect and creatively write. A short discussion before they embark on their writing journey will allow them to make a list of interesting vocabulary words they would like to use.
Learn the Multi-Sensory Way
Integrate multi-sensory learning experiences by:
- Using Use visual aids, such as flashcards and images, to reinforce word meanings
- Listening to music and songs that contain new vocabulary.
- Engaging in arts and crafts to describe objects, colours, and actions.
- Incorporating tactile activities, like building words with letter tiles.
- Practising words through movement, like acting out verb vocabulary
Use Educational Apps and Games
Without doubt, technology can indeed play a significant role in helping primary school children enhance their vocabulary. Educational websites and online platforms offer lessons tailored to different levels and often include vocabulary exercises, games, and quizzes. Many educational apps are designed specifically to expand vocabulary. They make learning new words fun and interactive. Look for apps that are age-appropriate and provide a good balance between learning and play. There are also, countless educational videos online that focus on vocabulary development. They often feature engaging animations and characters that introduce new words in an entertaining context.
Digital or e-books can offer an interactive experience; some have built-in dictionaries where children can click on a word to see its definition. Listening to stories through audio books or podcasts can also introduce children to new vocabulary and correct pronunciation, especially when they follow along with a physical book.
When using technology for vocabulary building, it’s crucial to ensure that the content is age- appropriate and secure, and it’s often helpful to have an adult guide the child through the learning process to help explain and consolidate new vocabulary. Additionally, screen time should be balanced with other forms of learning and active play.
Conclusion
Incorporating these strategies to supplement the primary school curriculum helps establish a strong foundation for lifelong learning and language proficiency for our primary schooler.
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