Word Detective

What is Word Detective?

Word Detective is a 20-week literacy scheme designed to improve vocabulary and writing skills.

How does it work?

  1. Come to the Library desk to sign up and collect a diary.
  2. There will be three new words each week which will be displayed in the Library and posted on the Library website. Find a meaning for each word in a dictionary and write it in the space provided in your diary.
  3. Write your own sentence using each word.
  4. Bring your diary to the Library each week to have it checked. Then wait for next week's words!
Word Detective Logo

Words So Far...

This year's words will be updated below on a weekly basis.

Week 1: Shoe | Coat | Collect

Week 2: Bus | Train | Flight

Week 3: Treat | Scared | Mystery

Week 4: Early | Late | Calendar

Week 5: Dentist | Doctor | Horrible

Week 6: Draw | Drawer | Cupboard

Week 7: Where | Wear | Experience

Week 8: Tablet | Chemist | Subscription

Week 9: Greeting | Chimney | Decorate

Week 10: Newspaper | Magazine | Information

Week 11: Diary | Dairy | Appointment

Week 12: Bank | Limit | Choose

Week 13: After | Since | Until

Week 14: Headphones | Lesson | Instructions

Week 15: Heart | Present | Admire

Week 16: Hairdresser | Image | Scissors

Week 17: Circle | Eight | Sequence

Week 18: Breakfast | Prompt | Organise

Week 19: Waste | Waist | Recycle

Week 20: Complete | Surprise | Celebrate

An Award Winning Scheme...

The Library is a previous winner of the CoLRic Best Practice Award for its Word Detective literacy support scheme.

The Best Practice Awards are national awards that are designed to highlight excellence in Library initiatives that really make a difference. CoLRiC commented that the scheme is ‘simple and effective, putting the Library at the heart of the College's learning activity’.

Entries were shortlisted by the CoLRiC Executive Committee and winners were chosen by an independent judge. The Library was presented with the award at the Library Awards Ceremony in May 2017.

Word Detective awards presentation

Library staff who created the scheme. From left Yvonne Hefford, Tom Hewitt and Sheila Lloyd

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