Example Sentences

I think I need to pull a bunch of example sentences from various corpus sources in order to help students learn the words. I should also pull synonyms.

The up sides:

1) Makes the resource seem more expensive;
2) Allows students to return to the resource later in order to work on active vocabulary;
3) Allows advanced students to master vocabulary and not just learn vague terms.

The down sides:

1) Does not really contain enough information to allow usage
2) Does not allow student to memorize or practice correct usage
3) May contain sentences that are too complex or difficult for children to understand (i.e., may be more confusing than helpful.)
4) May give the illusion of helping children to build their active vocabulary without actually doing it.

And then there's the far more expensive, but extremely preferable, possibility of adding visual mnemonic sentences for each word. The cost for that would run into the thousands. . . probably about a dollar per word. Ultimately, however, it might be the best option all around in that it would illustrate usage and also make the word more memorable.

The million-dollar solution is probably as follows:

A goofy, easy to visualize mnemonic sentence (ideally with an illustration);
Three example sentences tailored to the likely reading level of the children learning the words;
Usage information that includes a) answers to the all-important usage questions, like connotation and "Which words should this be used with?" as well as b) information comparing the words and its synonyms;
Flash cards that help students rehearse the key points of usage as well as the information of knowing the word itself.
A set of short stories that allows the student to see each word in context three to five times
Information about word inflection and morphology (i.e., learning words as families and not simply as individual terms).