
Vocabulary 'Bee'
Three
cheers for the video game producer, GSN, and the Princeton Review for launching
the National Vocabulary Championship this fall. It will feature new twists on
the time-tested model of the national spelling and geography bees, and an
emphasis on the crucial advantages of reading comprehension and communication
precision afforded by having a good vocabulary.
The
National Vocabulary Championship will have a nationally-televised finale for 50
contestants in February. Students can enter the contest by scoring high on an
online national qualifying exam or competing in eight live citywide
competitions in selected cities. Each finalist will receive a free trip to
New York City. The ultimate winner will receive $40,000 deposited in a
higher education "529" savings plan. In total, GSN will award over
$100,000 to top-performing students and their schools this year through the
program.
According
to the sponsor, national reading scores on the National Assessment of
Educational Progress have dropped across all demographic lines in recent years,
especially from 1999 to 2004. The National Commission on Writing for America's
Families, Schools, and Colleges reports that more than 50 percent of college
freshman cannot write papers without language errors, analyze arguments, or
synthesize information. The contest is intended to help reverse these problems
by focusing on the basic skills of vocabulary building.
Registration
information and study materials are available on www.winwithwords.com.
By Susan Darst Williams • www.GoBigEd.com • Grammar Granny
039 • © 2006