Vocabbett - Fun Vocabulary & History Stories

I started this episode of the Vocabbett podcast with a quick apology...The last episode wasn't up to my usual standards, and without making excuses, I wanted to share why! : ) 

After that, we returned to our regular vocabulary-boosting content! 

There are two sides to the coin when it comes to using stories to improve your vocabulary.

If you’re a seasoned Vocabbett listener, you’re probably familiar with the first: I write stories and weave “big” words into them.

Like immersion for learning a foreign language, this immerses you in the world of SAT words, painlessly and passively boosting your vocabulary.

But there’s another side to the coin: starting with the “big” word, and hearing its story.

The study of etymology is magical when it comes to boosting your vocabulary. And I swear, once you tap into this skill, words start to talk to you. They can’t wait to tell you what they mean!

You can only imagine how helpful that might be on, say, the SAT!

On This Episode:

The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll Through the Hidden Connections of the English Language by Mark Forsyth

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

-

(This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission from Amazon at no additional cost to you on qualifying purchases)

We're all watching more TV than normal these days, but if you want to keep your edge and come out of quarantine smarter than ever, it's time to become more intentional about your TV choices.

There's nothing inherently wrong with watching Friends re-runs for the 400th time, but it's probably not going to teach you much either!

In this podcast, I share more about how to look at TV during this time. And over at Vocabbett, I've compiled a list of my top 5 shows that are (in my opinion!) just as entertaining as they are edifying.

Have you seen any of them? Are there any you think I should add to the list? Let me know in the comments!

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

Let me ask you a question: 

If you could take a pill and emerge from quarantine smarter, richer, and healthier than ever before — with zero side effects — would you take it?

To be honest, I think most of us would! 

The crazy part? You might be able to get all that from the simple act of reading. 

Yep! Reading has statistically been shown to improve standardized test scores, both mental and physical health, and even been linked to increased earning power.

In episode 33 of the Vocabbett podcast, I share more about how developing a voracious reading habit is arguably the best thing you can do to emerge from quarantine smarter than ever.

It can be uniquely demoralizing to sit back and wait for school news to be released, then be forced to wonder whether those plans will even be in effect in a few weeks.

It's time to take matters into your own hands. It's time to get a Goodreads account (not sponsored, I just love Goodreads) and get reading! And don't forget to follow me once you're there!

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

In episode 31 of the Vocabbett podcast, I asked how YOU are feeling about back-to-school plans, creating a survey and asking people to reach out.

For this episode, I thought you might be interested to hear the results!

Now, let’s be clear: this is a survey of the Vocabbett audience. It’s a pretty small sample size, and should not be construed as the thoughts of the entire country!

However, I was very surprised by some of what I learned! Tune in to episode 32 of the podcast to hear it all!

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

Well, hello!

After a week off for the 4th of July, I returned to find that my local school district announced some big changes for the fall.

People are being asked to decide whether they want 100% in-person or 100% virtual schooling.

To be honest, I don’t know if I’d be comfortable with either of these options.

Has your school made any announcements yet?

What are your thoughts? Are you happy with your current situation?

In episode 31 of the Vocabbett podcast, I discuss how I fear our education system is following in the footsteps of the airline industry.

While taking off our shoes/belts, removing liquids, getting patted down, going through metal detectors, etc. etc. may make us more safe, it diminishes the experience of flying.

Similarly, sequestering yourself in one room with a mask and a gallon of hand sanitizer may make you safer, but let’s be honest: it’s going to take away from the school experience.

What I’d like to know is: if I created entire courses at Vocabbett (not just SAT prep), would that be helpful for you?

These courses would be specifically designed with this time period in mind; they aren’t physical courses that have been put on Zoom.

I would focus on English and history, and would teach students in grades 7-12.

You could choose between a self-managed model, where I create the course but parents manage the implementation, or a done-for-you option where I essentially become your teacher!

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that this would be an extraordinary opportunity for students.

And what better time to take a risk? I don’t think there’s a college out there that would object to you being proactive about your education during such an uncertain time.

If you have a minute, do you mind letting me know your thoughts? Fill out this quick survey to help me help you!

Welcome to episode 30 of the Vocabbett podcast! I wrote this story when I was studying abroad in Cairo, and while it draws on true experiences, it is definitely a work of fiction!

**Note: there is a curse word in it, so if you don't want to hear it, maybe skip this episode!**

To read along to this story, and get the definitions of SAT vocabulary words at the bottom of each page, become a Vocabbett member at www.vocabbett.com!

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

There’s an old quote that the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page. I quite agree, but I have my own little spin on it — that those who don’t read live only one life. 

I can’t imagine how much less rich my life would be if I’d only lived in this time and space. Because of books, I feel like I’ve gotten to live in Henry VIII’s court, been chased by lions in the Colosseum, the list goes on...!

I recently read an excellent summer reading book called Salt to Sea by Ruta Sepetys, and it opened my eyes to a specific period of history I didn’t know much about. If it's on your summer reading list, I highly recommend it!

It's a World War II book, and it largely centers around Operation Hannibal and the sinking of the MV Wilhelm Gustloff.

Sometimes, when books have such a good plot, the characters or writing quality suffer. Neither happened here. The plot, characters, and writing were all phenomenal!

In this Episode: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys 

Get it on Amazon (affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you)

Love Vocabbett? Become a Member and Take Your Learning to the Next Level. 

On this episode of the Vocabbett podcast, we're taking a little break from the vocabulary-boosting stories to share some more details about our "500 Words in 50 Days" summer SAT challenge! 

Among the details we discuss: 

1) How I'm going to help you learn/master 500 words

2) The fact that the top three winners will earn cash prizes

3) How long the challenge will take to complete (spoiler alert: you probably won't need the full 50 days!)

Sign up today at vocabbett.com/500words! 

Could you learn 500 words in 50 days? With Vocabbett, my guess is "yes"! 

I'm so excited about this episode because I'm launching an amazing summer challenge that, honestly, *every* high school student should be signing up for! 

A roadmap to get the most out of Vocabbett in the shortest amount of time — plus challenges, prizes, and more — you are going to LOVE it! 

And, yes, I said prizes. The challenges will have points, and the person with the most points by the end of the challenge will receive a $50 gift card to the store of their choice!* 2nd and 3d place winners will receive $20 gift cards, as well. 

While I can't guarantee that you'll learn 500 words in 50 days, I can guarantee that if you participate, you'll have an incredible head start on building a strong mental arsenal for the SAT! 

Vocabbett members get access for FREE (simply email me to let me know you'd like to participate). 

If you're not yet a member, sign up at www.vocabbett.com/500words.

Can't wait to get started!

-

Also Referenced In this Episode: The Vocabbett Ambassador Program

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

Welcome to episode 26 of the Vocabbett podcast! This is a special episode for me because it closes the loop on a story I first started writing more than TEN years ago. 

Filled with obscure history, love, and heartache, it's a tad more serious than the stories I normally write, but hopefully you still like it! 

In order to read along, simply become a Vocabbett member www.vocabbett.com. 

--

Mentioned in This Episode: 

Elizabeth Gilbert's Big Magic (affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you)

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

We're back this week with another vocabulary-boosting short story! 

A parody poking fun at an archetype in society today, "Karen and the Weed" is a lighthearted tale about a woman frustrated by her neighbor's (lack of) lawn maintenance. 

Featuring nearly 30 high-frequency SAT words, it's both educational and entertaining!

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

In the last episode of the Vocabbett podcast, I suggested that a more autonomous trend might emerge in education in a post-COVID-19 world. 

That episode largely spoke to parents and students.

In this *bonus* episode, I wanted to speak to educators about how they can make changes to the existing framework to better respect and nurture the students in their care. 

Are you an educator who doesn't want to walk away from the existing system, but knows changes need to be made?

Hit play for one way you can change your curriculum next year. It's not the answer by any means, but it's a great place to begin your discussion! 

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

With summer finally upon us, it's only natural that people have begun to ask what school will look like when (if?) we return in the fall.

Though a number of recurring themes have emerged (outdoor learning, family-style dining, more virtual learning), I have to admit...I've been disappointed not to see more innovative paths forward being proposed. 

On episode 23 of the Vocabbett podcast, I share an idea for a new model that might gain traction in a post-COVID world — a model which could benefit students from ALL socioeconomic backgrounds. 

I don't have all the answers. However, it would be an incredible mistake not to take a step back during this time and examine our education system as a whole. Right now, we seem determined only to make coronavirus-inspired tweaks to the existing model!

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

How do we prevent something like this from ever happening again?

That's the question I've been asking myself in the wake of George Floyd's horrific death in Minnesota.

I don't have all the answers, but here's what I know:

• Oppression, by definition, can only exist when there's an imbalance of power.
• Education is one of the best tools we have to level the playing field and correct those imbalances.

The more educated (and hard-working) you are, the better the job you will likely get (or create). The better the job, the higher the paycheck.

And ultimately, money wields more power than almost anything else in our society.

When certain groups don't receive the same quality education, they're disadvantaged from the first step, creating a chain reaction that enables oppression.

I didn't just want to tweet about this and move on. I wanted to do something — ideally something preventative.

That's why, for the entire month of June, I'm donating an annual Vocabbett membership for every annual membership sold.

I'd love your support in furthering access to fun, unique SAT prep resources for all students. 

Sincerely,

-Erica Abbett

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

Much has been made of the University of California's recent decision to remove the SAT/ACT from its admissions requirements.

It's caused many people to draw the (eminently logical) conclusion that they no longer need to prepare for the SAT. 

"No SAT means no SAT prep, right? I can just stop learning all this stuff?"

WRONG! 

Listen to episode 21 of the Vocabbett podcast to find out why, in my opinion, announcements like this can cause extraordinary unintended consequences...and how you should be interpreting them!

--

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

Hello! 

Many of you are finishing up a unique school year (to put it lightly!), and are finally heading into summer. 

Congratulations! 

Rest assured that even though school is out, the Vocabbett podcast isn't going anywhere. Let me know if you listen to it somewhere cool! A hike? The beach? 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy today's vocabulary-boosting short story! 

--

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

I am SO excited about this podcast because I’ve got a good, old vocabulary-boosting story for you guys. I got the idea for this one after the last "Pitch Perfect" movie came out, and I think you're really going to enjoy it! 

Featuring 15 SAT words and a comical storyline, the story imagines the "pitch" perfect crime. 

I hope you like it! 

--

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

We made it! Episode 18 of the Vocabbett podcast contains the final installment of our "5 Ways to Instantly Sound Smarter" mini-series. 

And, seeing as it's the last episode, I thought it might be time to change things up a bit!

Rather than cover a grammar rule you should probably follow, this episode covers a "rule" you might want to break! 

Any guesses as to what it is? Listen now to find out! 

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

As I was writing this episode, I realized that there is an inherent risk in talking so much about grammar: it makes you sound a tad judgmental. 

But that's not where I'm coming from at all!

In today's episode, we dive into why grammar matters (and it's probably not what you think!), as well as the fourth way to instantly sound smarter! 

-

Loving Vocabbett? Refer a friend and earn up to $40.

Apply for the Vocabbett Ambassador program at www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett 

This episode packs a double-whammy in its usefulness, bringing you the third way to instantly sound smarter and introducing a new summer opportunity for students: the Vocabbett Ambassador program!

Get all the details in today's podcast, and head to www.vocabbett.com/ambassadors to apply. 

-

Don't want to become a full-fledged Vocabbett member, but still want to support the podcast? Pledge a few bucks a month on Ko-Fi!

www.ko-fi.com/vocabbett