Method of teaching vocabulary

The present invention provides methods of teaching vocabulary words using music and/or poetry recorded on media such as audio cassettes, video cassettes, CDs, computer readable media, and the like. The invention may be in the form of a poem, song, lyrics, and the like. The many uses of the present invention include improving a student's performance on standardized examinations.

EXAMPLE 1 
 Teaching of the Word “Contrite” The word “contrite” is defined as “grieving and penitent for sin or shortcoming.” (Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1990). A song was composed in order to use the word “contrite” in context such as to not only provide a student with the definition, but also to assist in transferring the meaning of the word into the student's long-term memory. The lyrics of the song are as follows: When he stole his sister's Barbie he was contrite. Deep down in his heart he knew it just wasn't right. But the doll was so cute and no one can refute that if held bought it at the store he'd be teased 'til he couldn't take it anymore. The song was sung to a melody and recorded on an audio cassette. The cassette is provided to a student in need of learning vocabulary words, with or without additional example words, or may be packaged and sold to such a student with or without additional materials, such as instruction booklets. 
 EXAMPLE 2 
 Teaching of Several Words in a Single Poem A poem was composed in order to use several words in context such as to not only provide a student with the definition of such words, but also to assist in transferring the meaning of the words into the student's long-term memory. The lyrics of the poem are as follows: I called up Great Expectations cause with men I wanted relations. I told them please send me some studs but they misheard me and sent me their duds. There was portly Peter who had a huge girth and never stopped talking about his net worth. Shiftless Sean had no job. Imperious Ian was an arrogant snob. Sinister Sam was creepy and mean. Fastidious Farrell was obsessed with keeping his apartment clean. Doleful Dan kept talking about his ex wife and how she maliciously messed up his life. Insipid Iggy put me to sleep he was so soporific and with his ugly flood pants he dressed horriffic. Cantankerous Carl was a misanthrope with people he just didn't want to cope. So I guess I'm going to go it alone because apparently to losers I am prone. The poem is recited and recorded on an audio cassette. The cassette is provided to a student in need of learning vocabulary words, with or without additional example words, or may be packaged and sold to such a student with or without additional materials, such as instruction booklets. A poem was composed in order to use several words in context such as to not only provide a student with the definition of such words, but also to assist in transferring the meaning of the words into the student's long-term memory. The lyrics of the poem are as follows: This morning I had a grey hair scare while I was blow drying my hair. This getting old stuff just isn't fair. I plucked the hair out of my head and to my son I said “Come here. We have an exigent situation, get out of bed&excl;” He came running in and I showed him the hair. I asked him if it was brown or grey. He looked apathetic as if he just didn't care. We came to a joint decision, it was definitely not white and while old age may be imminent, for now I look all right. The poem is recited and recorded on an audio cassette. The cassette is provided to a student in need of learning vocabulary words, with or without additional example words, or may be packaged and sold to such a student with or without additional materials, such as instruction booklets. 
 EXAMPLE 3 A song is composed to illustrate and teach the meaning of a word or several words. The song is sung with or without musical accompaniment and recorded on videotape. Several such songs may be included on the videotape. The videotape is packaged with an instruction booklet and distributed via retail establishments. Alternatively, the composition teaching the word(s) is a poem or a narrative story, with or without musical accompaniment. The composition may optionally be accompanied by additional visual material. The recording medium may alternatively be any of the media described above.