In a Word

By Susie Rogers, 5th-7th, ELA

Expanding your vocabulary is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. Words allow us to express ideas, emotions, and thoughts with precision and power. Let’s ponder why vocabulary learning is so critical and how different tools can make the process engaging and effective.

Strong vocabulary skills can transform communication. Imagine trying to describe your ravenous hunger for success or feeling feeble after a challenging day—specific words bring clarity and depth to your messages. Words like prostrate convey exhaustion in a way simple terms cannot. A well-developed vocabulary also gratifies the desire to understand and be understood, creating meaningful connections with others.

Learning vocabulary also enhances creativity. Words like impetuous can inspire dynamic writing, while having the language to describe abstract feelings like rapture helps refine your storytelling. Building a strong vocabulary takes effort but yields incredible rewards. Whether through workbooks, apps like Quizlet, or games on Blooket, you can find a method that suits your style. Take advantage of these tools and immerse yourself in the joy of language—you’ll find it to be an enriching privilege. (words in italics are 7th grade vocabulary words for this week!)