Become a vocabulary detective
When you read online you’ll run into many new vocabulary words. Learning new words is fun and important. It not only helps you to better understand ideas, but it also can help you better describe things in your own writing.
Here are some things to pay attention to:
Look for a glossary on the site, like the one on the left hand side of the Energy for Kids page http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/index.html The glossary gives quick definitions for new terms
Look for words defined in the text. For example, the way prominent is defined here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/reallywild/wildfile/wildfile_chimp.shtml
Look for hyperlinks on the site that will take you to pages that tell more about new words. For example, the way matter, atoms, and elements are explained on this site http://www.chem4kids.com/
Look for pictures that can explain or show the idea. For example, look at the picture of space debris on this site http://www.esa.int/esaKIDSen/SEMESIXJD1E_Liftoff_0.html and read the text about it. Reading, looking and thinking can help you to better understand.
Look within the section of text you’re reading. Often times the author has left you a clue to the meaning of the word. Good detectives use these clues to decide what the word means. Here are a few examples of how to http://www.english-zone.com/vocab/vic02.html
