The Lower School completed our Trimester 2 book, The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds. This is a wonderful story about Jerome, who has a fondness for words in the world. He discovers the “magic of words all around him—short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.”
After reading the book, the teachers guided the students through a discussion using the following questions:
- What are some of YOUR favorite words?
- How do you think Jerome feels when he finds a word he likes?
- What does he like about them?
- What does he do with them?
- How do his words make things better?
- Do you have the power to choose your words?
- How can words help us feel good about ourselves or help us feel down about ourselves?
- Can words also hurt us?
- What are words you’d like to know the meaning of?
- Are you going to be a “Word Collector?” If yes, what will you do with your words?
- Do you have the power to choose your words?
Students completed a collaborative assignment in class to share their favorite words. Some of the favorite words included:
| Joy | Kindness | Spontaneous | Soccer |
| You Matter | Songs | Dream Big | Comedy |
| Ripple | Enchanted | Grit | Prosperity |
| Please | Thank You | Pokemon | Hope |
| Legacy | Quest | Inspire | Peace |
| Guacamole | Strong Heart | Butterscotch | Forever Friend |
| Serendipity | Respect Always | Calm | United |
Mrs. Bartel and Mrs. Golden, Lower School music teachers, have also created a song focused on this book. Each month, a grade level adapts the words for everyone to sing at our Town Hall meeting.
As a Lower School, we celebrated the words around us and look forward to using our words to make the world a better place.