Everyday English · School Day
School Day: 16 Everyday English Words
Recognize common school words children hear in classrooms, hallways, announcements, forms, pickup routines and everyday Canadian school life.
What to do
School has many ordinary words that may never be formally taught because adults assume children already know them. The goal here is quick recognition, not memorizing a dictionary.
Read the word, listen to it, picture the person, place or routine, and move on. You do not need to become an expert on small differences between school systems.
Core everyday words
hallway
noun · HAWL-wayA long passage inside a building with rooms opening from it.
Example: Walk quietly in the hallway.
homeroom
noun · HOHM-roomA class or classroom where students may begin the school day and receive notices.
Example: Bring the form to your homeroom teacher.
attendance
noun · uh-TEN-dənsThe record of who is present or absent.
Example: The teacher took attendance after the bell.
recess
noun · REE-sessA school break when students can rest or play.
Example: We went outside for recess.
assembly
noun · uh-SEM-bleeA gathering of many students and staff for announcements, presentations or events.
Example: The whole school met in the gym for an assembly.
principal
noun · PRIN-sə-pəlThe person who leads a school.
Example: The principal spoke during the assembly.
vice-principal
noun · VICE PRIN-sə-pəlA school leader who supports the principal and helps run the school.
Example: The vice-principal helped with dismissal.
custodian
noun · kus-TOH-dee-ənA staff member who helps clean, maintain and care for the school building.
Example: The custodian cleaned the wet floor.
librarian
noun · ly-BRAIR-ee-ənA person who helps people use a library and find books or information.
Example: Ask the librarian where the science books are.
permission slip
noun · per-MISH-ən SLIPA form a parent or guardian signs to allow a student to join an activity or trip.
Example: Return the permission slip by Friday.
report card
noun · ri-PORT KARDA school report that shows progress, achievement or teacher comments.
Example: Report cards go home this week.
locker
noun · LOK-erA small storage compartment at school that can usually be closed or locked.
Example: Her coat is in her locker.
cubby
noun · KUB-eeA small open storage space for a child’s belongings.
Example: Put your indoor shoes in your cubby.
binder
noun · BYN-derA folder with rings used to hold loose paper.
Example: Keep the worksheets in your binder.
field trip
noun · FEELD TRIPA school trip to learn somewhere outside the classroom.
Example: Our class is going on a field trip to the museum.
dismissal
noun · dis-MISS-əlThe time or process when students are released to leave school.
Example: Meet your brother by the gate at dismissal.
Quick Check
Quick Check
A light recognition check. The word bank is the main lesson.
1. Which word means the school break when students may go outside and play?
- recess
- attendance
- binder
- dismissal
2. Who helps students find books in the school library?
- librarian
- custodian
- principal
- crossing guard
3. Which item might a parent sign before a class trip?
- permission slip
- report card
- locker
- hallway
4. Which word means the record of who is present or absent?
- attendance
- assembly
- field trip
- cubby
Context
Context
Recognize the word from an ordinary school sentence.
5. “Put your coat in your ______ before class.”
6. “The whole school met in the gym for an ______.”
7. “Report to your ______ teacher first thing in the morning.”
8. “The buses line up outside at ______.”
Quick-check answers
- 1. recess
Recess is a break from class for rest or play. - 2. librarian
A librarian helps people use the library and find books or information. - 3. permission slip
A permission slip gives parent or guardian permission for an activity or trip. - 4. attendance
Attendance records who is at school and who is absent. - 5. locker
A locker is a school storage compartment. - 6. assembly
An assembly is a large school gathering. - 7. homeroom
Homeroom is often the starting class or room for daily notices and attendance. - 8. dismissal
Dismissal is when students are released to leave school.