For the LOVE of Words

What has happened to our vocabulary? In the past few years, maybe due to an increase in technology, or the fact that fewer and fewer people spend time reading for enjoyment, I have noticed that the use of fabulous vocabulary in our society is dwindling. It is a scary sight for sure. My ultimate goal with my homeschool students, and all of my students for that matter, is to instill in them a love for reading and a curiosity for new words. One of the ways that I can do this, is to ensure that my kiddos are allowed to read a book that is interesting to them, meaningful, and even fun. I want to build up life-long readers. This week, my elementary homeschool students are tearing through their favorite chapter books. On Monday, I asked that each of them give me a list of five to ten books that were of interest to them. We came up with everything from Hank the Cow Dog to The Hobbit. In deciding on the most appropriate book to read, I met with each one, made sure the book was on each child's reading level, and then handed them sticky notes and a marker. The sticky notes are being used to write down any new, exciting, interesting, or even weird words that they come across in the book that they chose. My goal is to allow them to discover how easy it is to learn new words even when reading something that they previously read. I have enjoyed watching them tell one another a new word as they come across one, or the giggles when they find a word that sounds "silly". Next week, we are going to fill the room up with word webs using the new words that were discovered in old favorite books. I look forward to the creativity, and love even more, that they are reading with smiles on their faces. To be continued...

To ALL of my students

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.  May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than its form. May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time in each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard you may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments. May you always feel loved. Happy New Year to all of my past, present, and even future students! I love you all!