Educational Insights Word Lab Manual

Instruction Guide
TM
Word Lab
Let’s play a game!
EI-2645
Grades 2+
Ages 7+

2
Table of Contents
Introducing Word Lab Test Prep Station......................................................3
What Students Will Learn ................................................................................3
How Skills Are Reinforced ............................................................................... 4
Suggestions for Use .......................................................................................... 4
Let’s Look at Word Lab Features....................................................................5
How to Play...........................................................................................................7
Word Lab Skill Modes ........................................................................................8
Antonyms Mode........................................................................................... 9
Synonyms Mode..........................................................................................10
Homophones Mode.....................................................................................11
Plurals Mode................................................................................................. 12
Contractions Mode..................................................................................... 13
Spelling Mode..............................................................................................14
Scope and Sequence of Skills........................................................................ 15
Caring for Word Lab......................................................................................... 17
Adapter and Headphones............................................................................... 17
Battery Installation and Instructions............................................................ 18
Warranty Information...................................................................... back cover
2
© Educational Insights, Inc., Gardena, CA (U.S.A.). All rights reserved. Learning
Resources Ltd., King’s
Lynn, Norfolk (U.K.). Please retain this information.
Made in China.
www.EducationalInsights.com

43
Introducing Word LabTM
Test Prep Station
With Word Lab, students have a language arts “tutor”
right at their fingertips. Word Lab provides six skill
modes (36 games), from antonyms to spelling. Lights
and sound eects guide and motivate independent
play. Interactive and fun, Word Lab builds the skills—
and confidence—students need for reading, writing, and
test-taking competence.
What Students Will Learn
By playing Word Lab’s games, your students reinforce a variety of
language arts skills:
• determiningantonymsforwords
• determiningsynonymsforwords
• identifyinghomophonesandusingthemcorrectly
• determiningwhentousepluralsandformingpluralscorrectly
• usingcontractions
• spellingwordswithspecialvowelcombinations,silentletters,word
endings, and commonly misspelled words
For a Scope and Sequence of Word Lab’s skills, go to page 15 in
this guide.
How Skills Are Reinforced
These features help Word Lab users of all ages and skill levels to
reinforce language arts skills at their own pace:
Repeated drill
Each of the six skill modes has six games. Each game has between
four and twelve rounds of questions—ten questions per round. Word
Lab has a total of more than 2,000 questions! At the end of each
game, the student can choose to play the same kind of game, to play
a dierent game, or to change skills.
Immediate feedback
Tones and lights tell the student whether the answer is correct or
incorrect. Incorrect answers are immediately corrected on the screen.
No-fail game format
The student answers a round of ten questions each time. Incorrectly
answered questions are recycled and repeated at the end of the
round. Game play continues until all ten questions are answered
correctly.
Suggestions for Use
Here are some ways to incorporate Word Lab in your classroom:
 •UseWord Lab as an individual skill builder. Five or ten minutes
with Word Lab turns “free time” into a productive learning
experience.
 •MakeWord Lab part of your writing center.
 •SendWord Lab home with students who need
extra practice.

5 6
Skill Mode Buttons
Press these buttons to choose
a skill to reinforce: ANTONYMS,
SYNONYMS, HOMOPHONES,
PLURALS, CONTRACTIONS, and
SPELLING. The buttons
light up to keep students
focused on the learning task.
Battery
Compartment
Place 4 fresh AA batteries
in the back of the unit.
Headphone Jack
Plug in any standard 1/4''
jack headphones here.
AC Adapter
Plug in the optional
AC adapter here. The
Educational Insights
stock number is
EI-8702.
Enter Button
Press this button to
enter the chosen
answer to a question.
Cursor Button
Press this button to
select games (1 – 6) in
each skill mode and
to choose answers in
games where there is
no numbered multiple-
choice format.
Screen
Greetings, directions, selection menus,
game examples, game level number,
game questions and answers, and
feedback are shown on the screen.
Speaker
Tones provide important
feedback.
Lights
Flashing lights provide user feedback. A flash of the green light
means an answer is correct. A flash of the red light means it is
incorrect. Alternately flashing lights combine with sound eects
to reward students at the end of each game. Flashing lights
and warning beeps alert students when the unit is about to
shut o.
SFX Button
Press this button
to turn sound
eects on or o.
Power Button
Press this button to turn the
unit on or o. To conserve
batteries, Word Lab will turn
itself o after two
minutes of inactivity.
Let’s Look at Word Lab Features
Answer Buttons
Press these buttons to choose
answers in games where there is a
numbered multiple-choice format.
Word Lab
Let’s play a game!

87
How to Play
Before you begin, place four AA batteries in the battery compartment.
See instructions on page 18 of this guide.
1. Turn Word Lab on by pressing the Power Button. Word Lab greets
you with an introductory screen message, sound eects, and flashing
lights.
2. If you wish, turn the sound eects o by pressing the SFX Button.
3. Word Lab will prompt you to choose one of the following six
skills: ANTONYMS, SYNONYMS, HOMOPHONES, PLURALS,
CONTRACTIONS, or SPELLING. Choose a skill by pressing one of the
Skill Mode Buttons.
4. Word Lab will prompt you to choose a game. Use the Cursor
Button ( ) to choose a game from 1 – 6 to play. Each time you
press the Cursor Button, Word Lab will display an example of the
kinds of questions in the game. This allows you to preview the game.
5. Press the Enter Button to begin a game.
6. Depending on the game format, answer questions by using the
numbered keys (1 or 2) or by pressing the Cursor Button ( ) to
move the cursor to the correct answer. Then press the Enter Button.
7. If the answer is correct, the green light flashes and the correct
answer tone plays.
8. If the answer is incorrect, the red light flashes and the incorrect
answer tone plays. The correct answer flashes, and the question is
repeated at the end of the game. Play continues until all ten
questions are answered correctly.
9. At the end of each game, there is a “light show,” congratulatory
message, and tune.
10. Make one of these selections:
 •PresstheEnterButtontoplayanotherofthesamekindofgame.
 •PresstheCursorButtontoplayadierentkindofgameinthe
same skill mode.
 •PressoneoftheSkillModeButtons(ANTONYMS,SYNONYMS,
HOMOPHONES, PLURALS, CONTRACTIONS, and SPELLING) to
choose a new skill.
NOTE: You can change the skill at any time by pressing any of the skill
buttons.
11. Turn Word Lab o when you are done playing. However, to prevent
battery drain, Word Lab will automatically shut o after two minutes
of inactivity.
Word Lab Skill Modes
Word Lab’s six modes are designed to build important language arts
skills. Each mode focuses on a dierent skill. Six dierent games in
each mode reinforce either a dierent skill component or reinforce the
skill in a dierent format. The Scope and Sequence of Skills chart on
pages 15 and 16 provides an overall look at the content in each skill
and in each game.
The following pages provide a description of the content for each skill
game and some example questions.
CONGRATULATIONS on a
PERFECT GAME!

109
Antonyms Mode
Game 1: Determine if two words are antonyms. Press 1 for yes or 2 for no,
then press the Enter Button.
Game 2: Determine which of two pairs of words is an antonym pair. Press
1 or 2 to choose the antonym pair, then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Find the antonym for a target word among three word choices.
Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the chosen word, then
press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Find the two words that are antonyms among three word
choices. Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the first
answer choice word and press the Enter Button. Use the Cursor Button
( ) to move the cursor to the second answer choice word, then press
the Enter Button.
Game 5: Find the antonym for a target word in a sentence among three
word choices. Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the
chosen word, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Find the antonym in a sentence for a target word. Use the
Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the chosen word in the
sentence, then press the Enter Button.
Synonyms Mode
Game 1: Determine if two words are synonyms. Press 1 for yes or 2 for no,
then press the Enter Button.
Game 2: Determine which of two pairs of words is a synonym pair. Press 1
or 2 to choose the synonym pair, then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Find the synonym for a target word among three word choices.
Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the chosen word, then
press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Find two words that are synonyms among three word choices.
Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the first answer choice
word and press the Enter Button. Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move
the cursor to the second answer choice word and press the Enter Button.
Game 5: Find the synonym for a target word in a sentence among three
word choices. Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the
chosen word, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Find the synonym in a sentence for a target word. Use the
Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the chosen word in the
sentence, then press the Enter Button.
in - out
1. yes 2. no
beautiful - pretty
1. yes 2. no
1. flower - mother
2. full - empty
1. open - lock
2. happy - glad
teach
_ drive learn find
grateful
_ good fulfill thankful
_adult child woman
_road river street
The recipe was very easy.
_ long short difficult
Mr. Lee is a wealthy man.
_ poor unhappy rich
last
_ I read the first chapter.
leave
_ When does the train depart?
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1211
Homophones Mode
Game 1: Determine if two words are homophones. Press 1 for yes or 2 for
no, then press the Enter Button.
Game 2: Determine which of two pairs of words is a homophone pair.
Press 1 or 2 to choose the homophone pair, then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Find the homophone for a target word among three word
choices. Use the Cursor Button ( ) to move the cursor to the answer
choice, then press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Complete a sentence with the correct homophone. Press 1 or 2
to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 5: Complete a sentence with the correct homophone. Press 1 or 2
to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Complete a sentence with the correct homophone. Game
focuses on the commonly misused homophones: too/to/two; your/
you’re; its/it’s; their/there/they’re; who’s/whose. Move the cursor to the
answer choice, then press the Enter Button.
Plurals Mode
Game 1: Complete a sentence by choosing either the singular or plural
form of a word. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter
Button.
Game 2: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled plural.
Target words are regular plurals or the plurals of words that end in s, sh,
ch, z, or x. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled plural.
Target words are words that end in y. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer,
then press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled plural.
Target words are words that end in f, fe, and o. Press 1 or 2 to choose an
answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 5: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled plural.
Target words are words that have an irregular plural form. Press 1 or 2 to
choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled plural.
Target words represent a review of all plural forms covered in games 1–5.
Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
claws - clause
1. yes 2. no My dog can perform ____.
1. tricks 2. trick
1. threw - though
2. sail - sale
The hounds chased the ____.
1. foxs 2. foxes
duct
_ ducked duck docked
How many ____ were born today?
1. babies 2. babys
Jan’s hair is ____ yellow.
1. pale 2. pail
Maple ____ turn orange and red.
1. leafs 2. leaves
The golf ____ is open today.
1. course 2. coarse
My sister is afraid of ____.
1. mice 2. mouses
She wears ____ much lipstick.
_two too to
Put some ____ on the table.
1. knives 2. knifes
11
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6

1413
Contractions Mode
Game 1: Identify the contraction for two words in a sentence. Target
words form contractions with am, are, has, is, would, and had. Press 1 or
2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 2: Identify the two words that make up a contraction in a sentence.
Target contractions are forms of am, are, has, is, would, and had. Press 1
or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Identify the contraction for two words in a sentence. Target
words form contractions with have, will, not, and did. Press 1 or 2 to
choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Identify the two words that make up a contraction in a sentence.
Target contractions are forms of have, will, not, and did. Press 1 or 2 to
choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 5: Complete a sentence by choosing the correct contraction. Target
contractions include forms of am, are, has, is, would, had, and will. Move
the cursor ( ) to the answer choice, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Complete a sentence by choosing the correct contraction.
Target contractions include forms of have, will, not, and did. Move the
cursor ( ) to the answer choice, then press the Enter Button.
Spelling Mode
Game 1: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words have special vowel combinations such as ea, ou, ow, ie, ei,
and so on. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 2: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words have r-controlled vowels. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer,
then press the Enter Button.
Game 3: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words end in ed and ing. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then
press the Enter Button.
Game 4: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words end in al, el, and le. Press 1 or 2 to choose an answer, then
press the Enter Button.
Game 5: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words have silent letters or the ph for fletter combination. Press 1
or 2 to choose an answer, then press the Enter Button.
Game 6: Complete a sentence by choosing the correctly spelled word.
Target words are commonly misspelled words. Press 1 or 2 to choose an
answer, then press the Enter Button.
“I am not going!” she cried.
1. I’m 2. I’ve
She’s ____ eight years old.
1. about 2. abowt
Are you sure you’re not mad?
1. you will 2. you are
Grandma lives in ____ state.
1. anothur 2. another
She will make a good teacher.
1. She’s 2. She’ll
Our team ____ to win the game.
1. wanted 2. wantd
Who’ve you asked to the party?
1. Who have 2. Who is
Aunt Stella has a ____ voice.
1. musicle 2. musical
____ going on a cruise.
_ He’ll He’d He’s
I snapped a ____ of my friends.
1. foto 2. photo
____ ridden horses before.
_They’re They’ve They’ll
The sheriff sprung into ____.
1. action 2. ackshun
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1615
Antonyms Synonyms Homophones Plurals Contractions Spelling
Game 1 Determining if two Determining if two Determining if two Choosing singular Choosing the correct Spelling words with
words are antonyms words are synonyms words are or plural form contraction: am, are, has, special vowel
homophones is, would, had combinations
Game 2 Finding the Finding the Finding the Forming regular plurals Determining the words Spelling words with
antonym pair synonym pair homophone pair and plurals of words that that form a contraction: r-controlled vowels
end in s, sh, ch, z, x am, are, has, is, would, had
Game 3 Finding the antonym Finding the synonym Finding the homophone Forming plurals of Choosing the correct Spelling words with
for a given word for a given word for a given word words that end in y contraction: have, will, ed and ing endings
not, did
Game 4 Choosing two words Choosing two words Completing a sentence Forming plurals of Determining the words Spelling words that
that are antonyms that are synonyms with the correct words that end in that form a contraction: end in al, el, le
among three word among three word homophone f, fe, and o have, will, not, did
choices choices
Game 5 Finding the antonym Finding the synonym Completing a sentence Irregular plural forms Completing a sentence Spelling words with
for a word used in a for a word used in a with the correct (child — children, with the correct silent letters and
sentence sentence homophone (more goose — geese, foot — contraction: am, are, has, ph for f
dicult words) feet, etc.) is, would, had, will
Game 6 Finding the antonym Finding the synonym Completing a sentence Plurals review Completing a sentence Spelling commonly
in a sentence for in a sentence for with the correct homo- with the correct misspelled words
a given word a given word phone: to/too/two; your/ contraction: have, will,
you’re; its/it’s; their/there/ not, did
they’re; who’s/whose;
Scope and Sequence of Skills

17 18
Battery Installation and Instructions
For the best operation, always use fresh alkaline batteries. Other battery types will have a
shorter life.
1. Carefully open the battery compartment
door located on the bottom of Word Lab
by loosening the screw holding it in place.
2. Install four fresh AA-cell (DC 1.5v) batteries
in the battery compartment, following
the diagram showing correct battery
installation.
•Donotuserechargeablebatteries.
 •Donotmixoldandnewbatteries.
 •Donotmixdierenttypesofbatteries:
alkaline, standard (carbon zinc) or
rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries.
 •Non-rechargeablebatteriesarenottoberecharged.
•Rechargeable batteries are to be removed from the unit before
being charged.
 •Rechargeablebatteriesareonlytobechargedunderadultsupervision.
•Only batteries of the same or equivalent type as recommended are
to be used.
 •Batteriesaretobeinsertedwiththecorrectpolarity.
 •Exhaustedbatteriesaretoberemovedfromthetoy.
 •Thesupplyterminalsarenottobeshort-circuited.
 •Topreventcorrosionandpossibledamagetotheproduct,itisrecommendedto
remove the batteries from the unit if it will not be used for more than two weeks.
3. Close the battery compartment door and tighten the screw.
4. Turn on Word Lab by pressing the Power Button.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
•Reorientorrelocatethe receiving antenna.
•Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
•Connecttheequipmentintoadierentoutletfromthereceiver.
•Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TV technician for help.
Note: The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment
without the approval of manufacturer could void the user’s authority to operate this
equipment.
Caring for Word Lab
Troubleshooting
If Word Lab is not working properly, replace the batteries with a fresh set. Weak
batteries can cause a variety of malfunctions. To prolong battery life, always turn o
Word Lab with the Power Button when you are not using the unit. If Word Lab will not be
used for a long period of time, remove the batteries to prevent possible corrosion.
How to Clean Word Lab
If you are using Word Lab with the optional AC adapter, disconnect the AC adapter before
cleaning. Clean Word Lab with a slightly damp or dry cloth. Do not immerse Word Lab in
water. Do not spray liquid of any kind on Word Lab.
ADAPTER AND HEADPHONES
Operating Word Lab with the Adapter
With the optional AC adapter, Word Lab can run indefinitely without batteries. Follow
these steps for using the adapter with Word Lab:
1. Turn the unit o. Plug the end of the adapter cord into the AC adapter jack located
on the right side of Word Lab.
 •Word Lab must only be used with the recommended AC adapter, available from
your authorized Educational Insights dealer. The Educational Insights stock
number is EI-8702.
 •TheACadaptershouldbeexaminedregularlyfordamagetothecord,plug,
enclosure, and other parts. In the event of such damage, do not use the AC
adapter until the damage has been repaired.
 •DisconnectWord Lab from the AC adapter before cleaning.
 •TheACadapterunitisnotatoy.
2. Carefully plug the adapter body into a wall socket.
 •Word Lab must not be connected to more than the recommended number
of power supplies.
 •Word Lab is not suitable for children under three (3) years of age.
3. Turn Word Lab on.
Operating Word Lab with the Headphones
A headphone jack is included. Optional headphones are available from your authorized
Educational Insights dealer. The Educational Insights stock number is EI-3915. With
headphones, a student can enjoy Word Lab’s lively learning games without disturbing
others. Simply plug the cord from the headphones into the headphone jack located on the
right side of Word Lab below the AC adapter.