Over the weekend I was talking with our visiting Literacy consultant, Jo-Anne Dooner, and of course the conversation quickly turned to reading.  She made the comment that once a child has learnt to read, they can read!  Great job, and it IS a great job. However, what needs to happen from that point on, is for students to build their background knowledge and their vocabulary. 

Last newsletter I spoke about reading and background knowledge, so today we will briefly explore the importance of having a great vocabulary.

Did you know we need between 12 and 20 meaningful exposures to learn a word before we are able to add it to our vocabulary suitcase?  (use  the word correctly, in the right context) To do this in a natural and fun way, we encourage children to read regularly.  This does wonders for their vocabulary, both spoken and written. When children read a variety of books, they come across new words and phrases in different contexts, which helps them understand and remember these words better. This exposure not only expands their vocabulary but also boosts their comprehension skills.

Having a strong vocabulary is key to academic success. It allows students to express their thoughts clearly and confidently, whether they're writing or speaking. With a rich vocabulary, they can grasp complex texts, confidently join in discussions, enhancing their critical and creative thinking, as they can articulate their ideas more precisely. 

To help your child develop their vocabulary, encourage them to read a wide range of materials, from fiction and non-fiction books to magazines and newspapers. Talk about what they read and introduce new words in your daily conversations. By fostering a love for reading, you're setting your child up for lifelong success.

On that note, I was in the library last week and it seemed half the library collection was on the tables, ready to be reshelved.  That told me there is a lot of reading happening in this school and I thank you for your part in supporting those books to be flying off the shelves.

Yours sincerely

Oriel McGee – Leader, Learning and Teaching