Lynn,
With our own kiddos, we've found that a CM-style exposure to high quality living books is wonderful for building a very strong vocabulary. It's amazing the words the kiddos can know, understand, and read well from using that type of approach.
Typically, instead of being a huge vocabulary builder the vocabulary card activity in both Bigger Hearts and Preparing Hearts is meant to teach word meaning from contextual clues, dictionary skills (such as using guide words, choosing the correct definition, and alphabetical order), and parts of speech through using the words correctly within a sentence of the kiddo's own creation.
When my oldest was young, we were sure he needed vocabulary workbooks such as Wordly Wise and dutifully put him through two years of that particular program as a second and third grader. At the end of those years, we stopped with all additional workbook/vocabulary exercises beyond what was in our guides and discovered his vocabulary continued to grow at an amazing level due to the books he was reading, those he was listening to me read, and those on tape. So, in all honesty, we have our kiddos follow along with the actual book as they listen to challenging books on tape and that is their vocabulary exercise.
Both my oldest boys test at the highest percentile possible in the vocabulary portions of the standardized testing each year, and their daily use of the words shows they can comprehend and can use those words in their day-to-day speaking and writing. We don't consider our kiddos prodigy children but rather the product of years of exposure to excellent literature.
You are more than welcome to add a vocabulary workbook to any HOD guide if you feel that it is necessary for your kiddo, however I'd encourage you to go the following along in the book with audio route instead (if you feel your child needs a vocabulary builder).
Blessings,
Carrie
