This fun and practical book gives teachers of grades 3-5 teachers both the research and the day-to-day practical activities to expand and empower their students' vocabulary.

Upper elementary students will develop a deeper understanding of how the English language works, enrich their vocabularies, and improve their reading and writing skills through the information and lessons provided by veteran educators Mary Jo Fresch and David L. Harrison.

Each chapter presents definitions and playful examples (in poetry and prose) to teach:

• Antonyms, synonyms, acronyms, (and many more "nyms")
• Similes and metaphors
• Common idioms
• Shades of meaning and word origins

Practical lessons and activities for each category will engage students in joyful practice. A final chapter offers insights into language choices by eight well-known children's poets and authors, including two former US Young People's Poets Laureate--Kenn Nesbitt and Margarita Engle--and world-renowned Jane Yolen.