Vocabulary.com Blog
Articles from March, 2014
Jim Burke's The English Teacher's Companion includes a list of 358 academic vocabulary words culled from a survey of textbooks, assignments, standards, and examinations. Although the term academic vocabulary means different things to different educators, I like to think of Burke's use of the term as representing the vocabulary of directions.
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Dept. of Word Lists
Would E-cigarettes Lose the Smoker's Stigma if Called by Another Name? A Quick Current Events Vocab Quiz
Follow this news story and others from a vocabularian's perspective
The Ukraine, e-cigarettes, Afghanistan, and the Vatican...follow this week's news coverage from a vocabularian's perspective by learning 10 words from this week's New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post coverage.
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I've written columns culled from the Dictionary of American Regional English (DARE) before, but it wasn't easy. I always had to thumb through the pages like a caveman. No more! Now, finally, DARE is available digitally, allowing this deep well of regional English to be searched easily. This is a bonanza for writers and word nerds everywhere, so get a subscription or take your library hostage until it does so.
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Announcements
Word Learning on Vocabulary.com Just Got Even Smarter
Integrating Progress and Learning Priorities
We're excited to announce some changes to how words are learned on Vocabulary.com. With these changes, learning Vocabulary Lists is now fully integrated into your overall progress toward mastering words. The result is a more seamless and efficient learning experience, no matter where you learn words on Vocabulary.com.
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Announcements
Corkscrew Demolishes School Leaderboard, With Reading and Writing Results to Match
Local media is taking note.
In competition that's getting hotter with every passing month, Corkscrew Middle School demolished the monthly record on the Vocabulary.com school leaderboard, earning more than 50 million points for their second leaderboard win. The Fort Myers, FL News-Press reported on the story, and teachers say they can see improvements in students reading, writing, and excitement about learning.
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Vocabulary.com News
March 4th is National Grammar Day, so let's celebrate grammatically! As part of the festivities, the American Copy Editors Society has sponsored a grammar-themed haiku contest on Twitter. The entries have been submitted — enjoy them below.
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Dept. of Word Lists
Deepen Discussion of "Twelve Years a Slave" with Vocabulary Lists and More
Going back to the narrative turns this gripping film into readymade lessons for social studies and English
Thinking of teaching Twelve Years a Slave after Sunday's Oscar win? Here we link to teaching materials and new vocabulary lists to help you bring the story to life.
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