Vocab Cartoons

VocabularyELA
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

Vocabulary Cartoons was founded by Bryan Burchers, an author and self-publisher renowned for his engaging approach to education through visual and mnemonic aids. Created to enhance vocabulary learning, this program uses cartoon illustrations and rhyming mnemonics to make the acquisition of new words fun and memorable. Initially designed to address the needs of students from elementary through high school, Vocabulary Cartoons has grown in popularity, becoming a staple in over 5,000 schools across the nation​ (Modulo)​.

Differentiation

Vocabulary Cartoons stands out due to its innovative use of visuals and mnemonics, which helps students learn vocabulary in a fun and efficient manner. Unlike traditional methods of rote memorization, Vocabulary Cartoons engages learners with humorous, contextually rich cartoons paired with mnemonic devices. This not only aids in retention but also makes the learning process enjoyable and engaging for students with diverse learning needs, including ESL students and those with special educational needs​ (Modulo)​.

How to Get Started

Getting started with Vocabulary Cartoons is straightforward. The program is available as a series of textbooks, each designed for specific grade levels. These books can be purchased directly from their website, and no additional prep time or materials are needed, allowing for immediate use in any homeschool setting​ (Modulo)​.

How it Works

Vocabulary Cartoons is designed for self-paced learning, with each textbook section covering ten new vocabulary words followed by multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions for review. Parents and educators can choose the pace and number of words learned daily or weekly, making it adaptable to individual learning speeds. The program requires minimal parent involvement, making it ideal for independent study​ (Modulo)​.

Educational Concepts

  • Phonetic Pronunciations: Each word comes with a phonetic guide.

  • Definitions and Sentences: Words are defined with examples in sentence form.

  • Visual and Auditory Mnemonics: Association through cartoons and rhymes.

  • Built-in Reviews: Every ten words, reinforcing learning through quizzes.

What’s Good About It

Users appreciate Vocabulary Cartoons for its engaging and effective teaching style that significantly enhances word retention. The use of mnemonic devices, combined with the humor and visual appeal of the cartoons, transforms vocabulary learning from a tedious task to an enjoyable activity. Many parents report that their children are able to remember the vocabulary terms long after they have moved on to new topics​ (Modulo)​.

What Could Be Improved

While highly praised, some feedback suggests that the content could be more rigorous. Concerns include occasional mispronunciations and the use of stereotypical depictions in some cartoons, which could be refined to enhance educational value and cultural sensitivity​ (Modulo)​.

Advice from Parents

Parents recommend integrating Vocabulary Cartoons into daily learning routines to maximize retention and engagement. They suggest using the cartoons as a springboard for discussions about word meanings and usage in additional contexts, thereby deepening understanding and application of the vocabulary learned​ (Modulo)​.

Ideal Fit

This program is perfect for visual learners and students who thrive on interactive and engaging learning methods. It suits both elementary and high school students who are looking to expand their vocabulary in a way that ensures long-term retention and understanding​ (Modulo)​.

Probably Not a Fit For

Students who prefer more traditional or text-heavy approaches to learning might not find Vocabulary Cartoons as beneficial. It may also be less suitable for those seeking a highly rigorous academic vocabulary program​ (Modulo)​.

Grades

Suitable for students in 1st through 5th grades and 9th through 12th grades​ (Modulo)​.

Cost

The cost ranges around $13 per book, with each level (elementary and two SAT prep levels) available for purchase separately​ (Modulo)​.

Ways to Get It

Vocabulary Cartoons can be purchased directly through their website, offering easy access to their textbooks for homeschoolers looking for an engaging and memorable way to learn vocabulary​ (Modulo)​.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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