The Internet is a great place to find resources that enable students to explore how the English language works. Sites like Prefixes and Skillwise give users a chance to explore word parts and use them in figuring out word meanings. The interactivity of these sites allows users to asses themselves on their knowledge after they have worked to gain understanding of the content. The process gets to be guided by the user at his or her own pace, so the student is able to create meaning and assess it when he or she is ready. Click here for more sites.
Another great reading resource is Fun with Words. This site gives students an interesting look into the English language. They can play hangman, practice tongue twisters and even research the etymology of words. It’s fun to explore the lighter side of academics, and it is a great way offer nuggets of knowledge to students who may otherwise be not so interested in the content. Spoonerisms, hilarious headlines, and other peripheral topics are offered to visitors of this site.
Rhyme Zone is a wonderful site for any person looking to fine-tune his or her writing. It offers an easy-to-use search engine that allows students to find rhyming words, near-rhyming words, alliterated words, synonyms, antonyms, and much more. Poets and pros writers alike can have a lot of fun with this wonderful site. Even students not looking to be the next great icons in literature can get a lot from the word play this site offers. When kids expose themselves to multiple vocabulary choices it reinforces good word choice, and it strengthens their lexicons.
The Internet is very rich in good reading resources. Many of these resources are free to the user and offer the scaffolding students need to acquire and strengthen knowledge.