Merton students showcase Wordmasters vocabulary program

Fifth- through eighth-grade students and their presenter, Mary Ivanowski, described the district’s first-year participation in Wordmasters, a national vocabulary competition that asks students to learn three lists of 25 words and complete 20-question analogy-based tests.

The students and Ivanowski said the program emphasized analytical vocabulary, analogical reasoning and verbal fluency that support reading comprehension and college-readiness. "Wordmasters is a vocabulary competition for students," a student explained; another said the lists include words used on college entrance exams, which helps prepare students for later testing.

Ivanowski and student speakers described how the program was scheduled differently across grades: fifth graders had a universal offering during homeroom and saw participation fall from 22 initial contestants to six by the final test, a decline Ivanowski attributed in part to a spring break timing that interrupted preparation. In middle grades, invited high-achieving students showed more-consistent participation because the program replaced certain class work or was offered as enrichment.

Students read brief reflections and favorite words—examples included "lackadaisical," "dinghy," "buoyant" and "panache." Ivanowski recognized top cumulative scorers and handed a 5th-grade medal to Ruby; additional certificates will be distributed to finishers not present. Board members thanked the students and presenters for demonstrating the program and invited feedback as administrators consider how to sustain or scale it next year.

The showcase concluded with administrators noting that Wordmasters will continue to be offered and that organizers will collect student feedback to help shape scheduling and supports for 6th–8th grade participants.