During this past summer, Samoset Elementary School engaged a teacher/consultant from a Broward County school with similar demographics. This teacher credited her students’ success in Florida Writes! to their schoolwide initiative called WOW! (Wonderful, Outstanding Words!). The goal of this program is to build student oral and written vocabulary by providing instruction and support in specific, colorful words and phrases.

The kickoff began with the WOW-ni-Val (as in car-ni-val) for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Six interactive stations were created and each class visited them on a rotation schedule. Students met WOWwoman, enjoyed read alouds, played Beat the Clock, turned “Wah” words into WOW words, and helped created a WOW banner for the school cafeteria. Teachers used mini follow-up lessons to support what the students had experienced that day and continue to embed WOW word lessons into their daily schedule.

Since that time, each week on morning announcements, the principal announces the WOW words of the week with an example of each. WOWwoman follows up with weekly visits, acknowledging student use of WOW words with certificates of recognition and celebration. Recently, students replaced a “Wah” word with a WOW word. Each student put a “Wah” (“baby”) word down for a long nap by writing the “Wah” word on an index card. On their way to lunch, they placed the card in a cradle displayed in the cafeteria with accompanying lullaby music.

You can find WOW words displayed in and outside every classroom at Samoset. The entire staff uses and recognizes student use of WOW words by issuing students WOW!!! “appreciations.” As the school year progresses, the program will continue with events, celebrations and student use of WOW words in their speech and writing!

It’s a superlative program supported by dedicated Samoset staff and parents. What can we say, but “WOW!”