Vocabulary

I like the PBS children's shows that teach vocabulary. I have always felt a rich vocabulary helps make communication easier and writing more fun. Martha Speaks has a very nice introductory song that lists all the ways to say "speak." It goes: Martha speaks, she communicates, enumerates, elucidates, exaggerates, indicates and explicates, obviates and overstates. To reiterate, Martha speaks.

WordGirl has a feature at the end of the program that asks children to name their favorite word. Many of them talk about how they like the way a word sounds and what it means to them. I like the sound of convivial and the meaning of pontificate.