Vocabulary

Pre-K–7th

The words kids know determine what they can read and understand — vocabulary instruction closes the gap between decoding and comprehension.

11 articles

Skills your child will master

Building early vocabulary through read-alouds and conversation
Using context clues to figure out unfamiliar words
Learning prefixes, suffixes, and root words
Greek and Latin roots for academic vocabulary
Understanding connotation, nuance, and multiple meanings

Combines wide reading with direct instruction on word parts and context strategies, so kids develop independent word-learning skills.

Early Vocabulary

Pre-K–2nd1

How to Build Your Child's Vocabulary (Pre-K to 2nd)

Young children absorb words at an astonishing rate — but only when the conditions are right. Here is how to build a rich, lasting vocabulary in your Pre-K through 2nd grader without flashcards or drill.

6 min readPre-K–2nd

Context Clues

1st–4th2

What Are Context Clues?

A clear explanation of context clues — the five main types readers use to figure out unfamiliar words from the surrounding text.

3 min read

How to Teach Vocabulary Using Context Clues

When children encounter an unfamiliar word in a sentence, they do not need a dictionary — they need a strategy. Here is how to teach your child to use context clues to figure out what words mean on their own.

6 min read1st–4th

Vocabulary Strategies

1st–5th1

How to Make Vocabulary Stick (Not Just Memorize Definitions)

Most vocabulary instruction asks children to memorize definitions and pass a quiz. A week later the words are gone. Here is how to teach vocabulary so your child actually retains and uses new words — based on what the research says about how memory works.

7 min read1st–5th

Academic Vocabulary

2nd–6th1

How to Teach Tier 2 Academic Vocabulary

Tier 2 words — like "analyze," "contrast," and "significant" — appear across every subject but are rarely taught explicitly. They are the words that separate struggling readers from confident ones. Here is how to teach them at home.

7 min read2nd–6th

Multiple Meanings

2nd–5th1

How to Teach Words with Multiple Meanings

The word "bank" can mean a river's edge, a financial institution, or a pool shot. English is full of words like this, and they trip up readers constantly. Here is how to teach your child to navigate multiple-meaning words with confidence.

7 min read2nd–5th

Word Parts

2nd–4th1

How to Teach Word Parts: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots

When children learn to break words into parts — prefixes, suffixes, and root words — they unlock thousands of new words without memorizing each one. Here is how to teach word parts so they actually use them.

6 min read2nd–4th

Greek & Latin Roots

3rd–6th2

What Are Greek and Latin Roots?

A parent-friendly explanation of Greek and Latin roots — what they are, why they unlock vocabulary, and the most useful roots to know.

2 min read

How to Teach Greek and Latin Roots

More than half of English words come from Greek and Latin roots. Teaching your child to recognize these roots gives them a powerful tool for decoding academic vocabulary across every subject — from science to social studies.

6 min read3rd–6th

Word Nuance

4th–7th1

How to Teach Connotation and Denotation

"Thrifty" and "cheap" mean almost the same thing — but call someone cheap and see what happens. Connotation is the hidden layer of word meaning that shapes how language actually works. Here is how to teach it at home.

6 min read4th–7th

Reading-Writing

8th–Pre-K1

How to Use Writing to Strengthen Reading

Reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Here is how to use simple writing activities to deepen your child's reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency — without turning every session into an essay assignment.

4 min read

Your child's path through vocabulary — automated

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