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How the Internet Can Help Kids Build Their Vocabulary

September 11, 2009 | Jim Moulton

Editor's Note: Updated May 26, 2011

I like words. I do a lot of writing and public speaking, so this makes sense. Do you like words? Do you wish your students liked words more? I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite word-centric, Web-based resources, and see what other folks can share back. All of these sites help increase one's control over words, and hey, words are power, right?

Now if this was October, we could be celebrating Noah Webster's birthday, but let's just have some fun with words just because. Take a look at these, and be sure to share your favorites with all of us:

  • Visuwords.com is a free online graphical dictionary that can help kids see the complexity of language.
  • SpellingCity.com offers a simple and free tool for helping elementary kids practice and self-test themselves on spelling words.
  • Vocabulary.co.il specializes in games around words and idioms.
  • Freerice.com rolls philanthropy and SAT preparation into one!
  • Merriam-Webster.com includes pronunciation and a thesaurus too.
  • Thatquiz.org is primarily a mathematics quiz site, but also features vocabulary-building quizzes, with some SAT preparation.
  • Vocabulary.com offers free word puzzles and activities.

So, there are some places to begin, but this is not the final word by a long shot. What are your favorites?

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Comments (26)

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jollibee
Posted on 3/21/2012 6:01am

gFlashcards is very good

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gFlashcards is very good alternative to Quzilet. You can create your own images and audio flashcards for free.

jollibee
Posted on 3/21/2012 6:01am

gFlashcards is very good

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gFlashcards is very good alternative to Quzilet. You can create your own images and audio flashcards for free.

Jackie
Posted on 7/13/2011 1:20pm

Thank you so much for these

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Thank you so much for these helpful resources. As an ESL teacher, I'm always looking for new ways to teach vocabulary and spelling in a fun and creative way. I especially liked the spellcity.com, Vocabulary.co.il, andVocabulary.com. I will definitely use these websites with my students.

Tiffany Collins
Posted on 12/13/2010 11:01am

Using journal writing is a

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Using journal writing is a way to help students build their vocabulary. Depending on the age of the student they may struggle using some words. So to help students be independent these are some great tools to use during journal writing.

Lorrie Dixon
Posted on 10/12/2010 8:01pm

Thank you. I teach

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Thank you. I teach Kindergarten, but I am helping a fourth grade student learn English and learn some basic skills because she has not had formal education of any kind before coming to our school. The student's fourth grade teacher thought it would be helpul to have the child start for just an hour day in the K classroom to build early skills. The websites that you provided will be additional resources that we can tap to help this student catch up. I am especialy interested in using the vocabulary games, with the fourth grader as well as my Kindergarteners. Thanks again.
Lorrie Dixon

Josie Riggle
Posted on 11/29/2009 8:47pm

Tumble Books

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Thank you for sharing those sites with us. A site that I love is Tumble books (http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/customer_login.asp?accessdenied=%...). Unfortunately is requires a subscription, but my school district has purchases them for all classrooms. On the sight you can choose books for the students to read/listen to. They can click and turn each page as the images appear. It is great for in the classroom and at home.

Josie

Dana Persels (not verified)
Posted on 10/5/2009 5:13pm

Thanks for the information.

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Thanks for the information. I am always looking for new ways to increase vocabulary skills. The students will love working on the computers. Maybe they won't think they're eating spinach, if you know what I mean. Can't wait to get them started!

Lillian Geltz (not verified)
Posted on 10/5/2009 6:35am

Vocabulary

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Another great site is quizlet at quizlet.com. It provides a variety of activities, including making flash cards, playing games with the words and more. I have a competitive class of boys who love the game part...and they learn the words! Learning CAN be fun! :-)

Althea (not verified)
Posted on 10/3/2009 8:40am

How the internet can help kids build their vocabulary

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Thanks for these great links. I am Althea, a preschool teacher in Massachusetts. I work in a home school environment. For my students I mainly use software materials from www.montessorihomeschool.com. I know this material does not require using the internet, however, it is still an experience with technology and it is an excellent tool for young learners in building their vocabulary.

Andi Friedland (not verified)
Posted on 10/3/2009 7:53am

Great Ideas

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I really liked the options you gave for vocabulary! I loved Spellingcity.com and want to incorporate it in my classroom. I may have the students play it at home because it is a fun way to interact with spelling and still learn. I would love to implement this at school but we only have one working computer. I was wondering if anyone has ever used it as a whole class activity? I am sure it is difficult but I thought I would ask.

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