Stop making your students memorize word lists...
... and start engaging them in teen-friendly printable vocabulary units that build word knowledge, reading comprehension, and writing skills in a fun format.
Tired of vocabulary lists that bore students? This unit uses high-level words with engaging activities that get students thinking and talking.
Give your students the tools they need to become confident, capable readers and writers with these ready-to-use vocabulary units! Designed for grades 5–9, these 22+ page packets introduce 10 rigorous vocabulary words through a structured, student-friendly routine that builds mastery through repetition, creativity, and context.
Students trying to learn vocabulary for standardized tests like the SAT should use the SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary Prep units, while students with a solid vocabulary who want to learn sophisticated language should use the Advanced Vocabulary units.
Download, print, and GO!
SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary
SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary
SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary
These SAT/ACT/TOEFL vocabulary units help students master high-frequency academic and test-prep words through engaging, context-based practice instead of rote memorization. Each unit combines challenging vocabulary with creative activities, sentence work, etymology, writing exercises, and real-world usage to build deeper understanding and long-term retention.
Designed for advanced middle schoolers, high school students, homeschool learners, and ambitious readers, the units strengthen reading comprehension, academic writing, and confidence with sophisticated language commonly encountered on standardized tests and in higher-level coursework.
Advanced Vocabulary
SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary
SAT/ACT/TOEFL Vocabulary
Advanced Vocabulary Units are designed to help students move beyond familiarity of common vocabulary words and truly master sophisticated language in a fun, engaging way. Each unit introduces carefully chosen high-level vocabulary words through creative activities, challenging exercises, etymology connections, contextual practice, writing prompts, and memorable examples that make the words stick.
The words in the Advanced Units are considered more upper-level and esoteric than those in the SAT/ACT units.
WHY CAN't students just memorize a list?
Reason 1: Students learn words in context
Students don’t just memorize definitions — they encounter sophisticated vocabulary through stories, writing, humor, etymology, and real-world examples that make the words meaningful and memorable.
Reason 2: They learn lasting vocabulary skills
These units emphasize deep understanding, usage, and word relationships so students can actually recognize and use advanced vocabulary in reading, writing, and conversation.
Reason 3: These units are much more engaging than traditional lists
Creative -- and sometimes goofy -- activities, unusual words, and challenging exercises keep students curious and invested, turning vocabulary study from a chore into something genuinely interesting.
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Classes (live and video-based)
Classes (live and video-based)
Classes (live and video-based)
Whether you're looking for a live online class or a video-based class, I offer a full lineup of courses ranging from basic grammar to poetry to creative writing to research essays.
Writing materials
Classes (live and video-based)
Classes (live and video-based)
Need help teaching a student to write paragraphs? How about essays? Get what you need in our online store. Formats include printable and Google drive materials.
Vocabulary classes & support
Classes (live and video-based)
Vocabulary classes & support
The use of precise language is a huge skill in advancing written and oral communication. Therefore, I offer downloadable vocabulary lessons and worksheets as well as live and video-based vocabulary classes.
About Building Better Writers
Who am I?
I'm a mom. Of five! I've homeschooled all my kids up until high school (three to go!), so I'm intimately familiar with many of the homeschool writing curriculums out there. I'm also familiar with how it feels when a curriculum doesn't fit, or when you need something a little different, or when it feels like you're just not getting through.
My classes on Outschool
In 2019, I searched Outschool for poetry classes for my kids. I found very few and I thought, "Hey, I could probably teach a class on... I dunno... Walt Whitman!" And voila, here I am today, having taught not just poetry but Shakespeare, writing, and vocabulary to more than 4,000 students from 93 countries. It's pretty awesome, and I love what I do.
How do I know what I'm doing?
The truth is that I never intended to be a teacher. Okay, I never even WANTED to be a teacher. In fact, I'm still deciding what I want to be when I grow up.
However, I hold a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill (and also a degree in French literature, which is slightly less useful), and I spent many years writing for various newspapers, magazines, and websites.