Vocabulary From Twilight & New Moon
Use Stephenie Meyer's Bestsellers to Improve Vocabulary
Oct 22, 2009
For fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2008] learning vocabulary has taken a new twist. Students can sit down with the four books in the series, Twilight [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2005], New Moon [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2006], Eclipse [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007], and Breaking Dawn [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2008], and write down words they don't know, and then use a dictionary to learn the definitions. This process is a useful way to learn vocabulary and will help increase word knowledge, especially while studying for standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. Unfortunately, it's slow.
Vocabulary Workbooks for Twilight and New Moon
Brian Leaf's Defining Twilight: Vocabulary Workbook for Unlocking the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT [Cliffs Notes, 2009] speeds up the process while helping Twilight fans improve vocabulary and test-taking skills. The 192 page workbook gives words from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight, with definitions, page references, standardized test drills and quizzes, synonyms, Latin root words, and mneumonic devices.
In Defining New Moon: Vocabulary Workbook for Unlocking the SAT, ACT, GED, and SSAT, [Cliffs Notes, 2009] Leaf follows the same format as he did for his Defining Twilight workbook. Additional words are covered and the test-taking skills are again covered, reinforcing the instruction from the previous workbook. The Defining New Moon workbook is in stores at the end of October 2009.
Continuing with Eclipse and Breaking Dawn
Defining Eclipse is expected to be published and available at bookstores in May 2010. However, students don't have to wait for Leaf's workbook, because they can continue the process on their own. Studying for standardized tests, learning vocabulary, and reading favorite best-selling novels is not only great multi-tasking, but adds enjoyment to studying vocabulary.
After reading and studying Leaf's workbooks, continue the challenge by reading through Eclipse [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007], and Breaking Dawn [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2008]. Write down unfamiliar words in a notebook, citing the page number where the words were used in context. Guess at the definition and possible synonyms. Look up each word in a dictionary and a thesaurus. Write down the best definitions and synonyms. Pay attention to word origins to identify possible root words. Follow Leaf's examples in his workbooks to create a unique educational experience while re-reading Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.
Reading Favorite Novels Increases Vocabulary
When reading an unfamiliar word, the context frequently gives clues to the word's meaning. Also by remembering descriptions from novels like Twilight [Little, Brown Young Readers, 2005] such as that Jacob is "affable," it becomes easier to recall the definition of the word by its association.
Studying for standardized tests doesn't have to be a difficult chore. Whether focusing on word lists, specialty test preparation books and novels, or refreshing memories of less-used vocabulary, find ways to have fun with words. Test scores and word power will increase dramatically.
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