This week we have started the "Word of the Week' back up! Staff have a word they use in class as often as possible, without telling students it's the word of the week. When students think they know what it is they email Ms Beaumont and correct guesses go into a draw at Friday's assembly for a prize.

The purpose is to focus on developing literacy and improving vocabulary. Improving a student’s vocabulary is about much more than just doing well on a spelling test. It’s essentially giving them the "keys to the kingdom" for how they think, speak, and understand the world.

Here is why it matters so much:

1. Better Reading Comprehension

If a student doesn't know the words on the page, they spend all their "brain power" trying to decode the sounds rather than understanding the story.

• The "95% Rule": Research shows that students generally need to know about 95% of the words in a text to truly understand what they are reading. Without that base, they quickly lose interest.

2. Precise Self-Expression

A limited vocabulary often leads to frustration. When a student has more words at their disposal, they can move past basic descriptors like "mad" or "sad" and use more specific terms like "frustrated," "envious," or "gloomy." This helps them communicate their needs and feelings much more effectively.

3. The "Matthew Effect" in Education

This is a concept in education where the "rich get richer."

• Students with a strong early vocabulary find reading easier.
• Because they enjoy reading, they read more.
• Because they read more, they learn even more words.
• Meanwhile, students with a smaller vocabulary may struggle, read less, and the gap between the two groups grows wider every year.

This week the word was "Superfluous" and while the explanation above may have been superfluous, it's part of the fun! Do ask your child if they heard the word and if they know what it means. 

Ms Beaumont

HOD English