Communication: Using Your "Words", (Vocabulary)

After a great deal of contemplation, I finally came to the realization that, we are always telling our children to use their "words".  Well what if we took that one step further, and asked them to find new words that work better? We would definitely need to provide them with some skills for finding these new words. So the digital person I am, I head straight for the Internet and this is what I find. Here is hoping that what I found, brings you some help and peace of mind in this non compos mentis educational cycle we are in now.  Hmm....non compos mentis...I'm using my "words", LOL. What am I talking about?

Non compos mentis is a term meaning "not of sound mind". ^[1] Non compos mentis derives from the Latin non meaning "not", compos meaning "having (command of)", and mentis (genitive singular of mens), meaning "mind". It is the direct opposite of Compos mentis (of a composed mind).  ~ Thank you wikipedia!!!

See below for another fine example of the importance of vocabulary:  from Oxford American Writer's Thesaurus

convince

verb

1 he convinced me that I was wrong: make certain, persuade, satisfy, prove to; assure, put/set someone's mind at rest.

2 I convinced her to marry me: persuade, induce, prevail on/upon, get, talk into, win over, cajole, inveigle.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD

convince, persuade

Although it is common to see convince and persuade used interchangeably, there are distinctions in meaning that careful writers and speakers try to preserve. Convince derives from a Latin word meaning 'to conquer, overcome.' Persuade derives from a Latin word meaning 'to advise, make appealing, sweeten.' One can convince or persuade someone with facts or arguments, but, in general, convincing is limited to the mind, while persuasion results in action (just as dissuasion results in nonaction): the prime minister convinced the council that delay was pointless ; the senator persuaded her colleagues to pass the legislation.

These notes show fine distinctions in meaning between closely related synonyms to help you find the best word.

Last but not least...
Excellent Resources for those concerned with language, especially in education:

21 Literacy Resources For The Digital Teacher

The following digital tools show promise to support word learning, review, and play with language.
 http://www.teachthought.com/featured/21-literacy-resources-for-the-digital-teacher/

Common Core ToolKit

Top tools to help you become an expert.

1. Common Core Cheat Sheet:
Keep this guide handy to refer to key acronyms, terms, anchor standards, and more - all related to the Common Core.
2. Common Core Resources:
Use this tool to help you dig deeper into the Common Core - enjoy quick access to the best Common Core resources.
3. Common Core Webinar:

(45 minutes): Do you need to go deeper fast? Discover the top 10 implications the Common Core will have on literacy instruction, text selection, and more.

The following four sites are examples of what you can buy from Scholastic. What's nice is that Scholastic provides you with several samples for free!

Greek & Latin Roots – Games and other ideas.
Eight ready-to-go activity packets sharpen students’ word-study skills and boost their vocabularies. In each packet, students learn five common Greek and Latin roots and 15 new words formed from these roots. Crossword puzzles, word searches, and other fun activities provide repeated practice to make new vocabulary stick.

http://www.scholasticdealer.com/prodimages/sample/512412.pdf

Prefixes and Suffixes:
Students sharpen their word-study skills and build vocabulary as they complete fun, independent puzzles and activities that introduce 50 essential prefixes and suffixes. Activities invite students to decode and acquire dozens of words they’ll encounter in grade-level texts. 

http://www.scholasticdealer.com/prodimages/sample/519864.pdf

Content Area Words:
These ready-to-use packets include fun, meaningful activities that offer the repeated practice kids need to really learn science, social studies, and math vocabulary. Activities help teach and reinforce word meanings, usage, and word-analysis skills related to key topics. 

http://www.scholasticdealer.com/prodimages/sample/523694.pdf

No More Over Used Words:

Students build vocabulary and sharpen their elaboration skills as they complete fun, independent puzzles and activities that help them acquire high-caliber synonyms for overused words, such as said, good, and went.

http://www.scholasticdealer.com/prodimages/sample/519863.pdf

Vocabulary is essential for precise dialoguing and communication. In a global community what could be more important? Our future depends on it.