Happy New Year!
Last week I had the pleasure of delivering staff training about my second favourite subject: words.
The development of a broad vocabulary is key in our children, and I shared with staff the responsibility we each have to create a word-rich environment here at Edge Grove. Children must be exposed to new words daily in their social interactions with us, and through their opportunities to read in lessons. The size of a child’s vocabulary at five years old can not only be used to accurately predict future academic success, but also correlates with improved life chances professionally, and better adult health and well-being.
In groups, staff members took a lexile test so they could experience the process, and you’ll be pleased to know that your children’s teachers read with excellent comprehension. Top scorers achieved a lexile of 1890L (the highest possible being 2000L which I have never seen). 1300L is the recommended requirement for undergraduate study, and 1700L is the highest score that a child has ever achieved in year 8.
This month I am delivering two presentations for parents on the use of lexile data to track comprehension (see details on the Edge Grove App), and reading is one vital area which promotes language development. I have therefore been spending money raised at the Christmas Fair to further encourage children to read for pleasure: a new book bin in the Pre Prep library, where front facing books attract more attention, and new books for Pre School, Apthorp and main libraries.
Book Recommendations
A number of literary organisations have published recommendations, which are always worth browsing:
A round-ups of the best children’s books of 2022 from Books For Topics https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/best-books-of-2022/
January’s ‘Coming Soon’ recommendations from reading champion Scott Evans (click the image below)
And a fantastic list from Book Trust of new books this month:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/booklists/b/books-we-love-in-january-2023/
These are the new books that I bought on the weekend to read and recommend to year 5 to 8 pupils this half term. Which books will your family be reading in the opening weeks of 2023?
Don't forget to check out the Edge Grove School Journalists section of the newsletter. We have four excellent reports including an interview with Mr Balfour, a review of the beginning of term assembly and inter-house cross country.Best Wishes for 2023 and Happy Reading!
