ENGLISH 10

VOCABULARY 3

2006-09-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

meticulous-adj- careful about details, fussy

VOCABULARY 24

2006-09-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

EFFERVESCENT~adj~ bubbly, producing bubbles; full of energy

AGOG~adj~ highly excited by eagerness

CONTRABAND~n~ goods smuggled into or out of a place where they are illegal

PORCINE~adj~ resembling a pig, related to a pig

EBULLITION~n~ a sudden violent outburst

VERSLIBRIST~n~ a writer of free-verse

INCIPIENT~adj~ beginning

INSIPID~adj~ dull, bland

NEBBISH~n~ a timid, meek, or ineffectual person

RAPSCALLION~n~ rascal

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS................

PRODIGIOUS~adj~ enormous in size or quantity; amazing

UNFLEDGED~adj~ not fully developed, immature

WARREN~n~ a place where rabbits live; a crowded tenement

BENIGHTED~adj~ being in a state of intellectual darkness, ignorant

TYRO~n~ a beginner, a novice

EXTRA CREDIT!!!!!!!!!
versicle-n- a short verse
peckniffian-adj- unctuously hypocritical
swank-adj- full of life or energy
floccinaucinihilipilification-n- an estimation of something as worthless, the act or habit of describing or regarding something as worthless
slugabed-n- a person who stays in bed after usual or proper time to get up

ALL VOCABULARY!

2006-06-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

FOR ALL OF YOU LAZY STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN CARPING......CARPING CARPING CARPING....... COPY AND PRINT THIS FOR YOUR STUDY GUIDE!

VOCABULARY 11:
ingenuous-adj- innocent; sincere

altruistic-adj- selfless

arduous-adj- difficult, hard

venal-adj- open to bribery or corruption

capricious-adj- changeable, whimsical

sycophant-n- flatterer, suck-up

vacuous-adj- stupid or inane, devoid of meaning

ungainly-adj- awkward, clumsy

quell-v- to suppress or quiet by force

strident-adj- loud, harsh, doscordant, grating

additional words for honors:

cherubic-adj- angelic, innocent

meddlesome-adj- interfering

reprisal-n- retaliation

ebullient-adj- enthusiastic

dogged-adj- stubborn and persevering

VOCABULARY 12

CIRCUMSPECT-ADJ- careful, cautious
HISTRIONIC-ADJ- over-acting, melodramatic, theatrical
DEBILITATE-V- to weaken, to sap the strength of
GESTICULATE-V- to make gestures, especially when speaking
DISMANTLE-V- to take apart
BUCOLIC-ADJ- pastoral, rural, rustic
ENERVATE-V- to weaken or destroy the strength of
EVANESCENT-ADJ- fleeting, gradually disappearing
DIDACTIC-ADJ- instructive, meant to teach
GARNER-V- to collect

and all you honors students can add on the following:

SQUANDER-V- to waster, to use extravagantly
PANDEMIC-ADJ- epidemic over a large region
GRUELING-ADJ- exhausting, difficult
BELLIGERENT-ADJ- war-like, ready to fight
LURID-ADJ- shocking and sensational; glowing through flames

Vocabulary 13
BELLICOSE-adj- war-like, quarrelsome
The bellicose 6th graders kept on hitting eachother and calling eachother names during recess.
ABJURE-v- to renounce; to avoid or shun
It might be a good idea to adjure your peers when they make bad decisions
INGRATIATE-v- to get on someone's good side, to make oneself acceptable
If you want to get a good grade, you may want to ingratiate your teacher by bringing her a valentine.
JUDICIOUS-adj- wise, careful, showing good judgement
The judicious student always looked before crossing the street, didn't drive after midnight, and never did drugs.
LEVITY-n- lightness, lack of seriousness
The professor shouwed such levity with his lecture that the students were unable to take it seriously.
CORROSIVE-adj- acidlike, eating away gradually; bitterly sarcastic
To corrosive liquid destroyed the marble countertop.
PARIAH-n- an outcast
Social pariahs, although they are often quiet and keep to themselves, can often be some of the smartest students.
STENTORIAN-adj- extremely loud
Every class has a stentorian student, you know, the one who doesn't shut up and will stop at nothing to be heard.
OBVIATE-v- to anticipate and prevent
Vaccinations can obviate the dangers of childhood diseases.
RETROGRESS-v- to move backward, to return to an earlier condition
Students who don't study or do their homework often retrogress instead of making progress

additional words for honors.........

BROWBEAT-v- to bully, to intimidate
If you want to browbeat on of your friends, you could say mean things, treat them poorly, or even spit on them
BRAZEN-adj- insolent, rude
The brazen secretary repeatedly rebuffed all questions the patients had and eventually ignored them altogether.
JUBILATION-n- rejoicing, celebration
The end of year jubilation included silly string, cleaning out of lockers, and LOTS of candy.
REPREHENSIBLE-adj- deserving blame
The student who burned all copies of The Catcher in the Rye was reprehensible and was punished appropriately.
WAGGISH-adj- mischievous
The waggish student was always sllipping in and out of class with a sly grin on his face.

VOCABULARY 14

And now that you've thoroughly enjoyed my cartoon (HA HA HA!), here are the words:

RECLUSE-n- a person who lives alone and away from others

FARRAGO -n- a careless or confused mixture, a hodge-podge

VERNACULAR -n- standard, everyday language; common, idiomatic

UNGUENT -n- ointment; salve for wounds

SUCCINT -adj- concise, clearly said in a few words

TACITURN-adj- habitually untalkative, uncommunicative

TOUT-v- to promote or praise energetically

UNIMPEACHABLE-adj- beyond doubt, beyond reproach

VIABLE-adj- able to live or exist

WANTON-adj- immoral; deliberately cruel and malicious

additional 5 for honors classes:

PRATTLE -v- babble, chatter

METTLE -n- courage, spirit

GREGARIOUS -adj- sociable

ENMITY -n- ill-will, hatred

VEXATIOUS -adj- full of annoyance or distress; harassed, intended to vex or annoy

VOCABULARY 15

INVETERATE-ADJ- long standing; habitual
I am an inveterate nailbiter; i've been doing it since i was four years old.

MULTIFARIOUS-ADJ- having great variety; numerous and diverse
When you get to college, there are multifarious courses to choose from, unlike the limited options available in high school.

RENEGADE-N- an outlaw, a traitor, a deserter
I've always wanted to be a renegade, but i'm afraid of being hunted down and arrested.

RUMINATE-V- to meditate, to think at length
I have a tendency to ruminate too much about me life instead of just living in the moment.

CARPING-ADJ- complaining
Your carping about having to read every day and write stories and sit in your seats and listen to me is REALLY getting on my nerves. Suck it up and deal!

CLAIRVOYANT-N, ADJ- having exceptional insight; a person with exceptional insight (a psychic)
I am tempted to visit a clairvoyant to find out what my future holds.

PANOPLY-N- 1. A splendid array 2. warrior's armor
We discovered a panoply of old dolls on a hidden table at a nearby garage sale; I scooped them all up.

LOLL-V- to lounge, to act in a lazy manner
Sometimes i think that i'd rather loll around all day watching TV and eating chocolate insted of teaching. Then i come to my senses.

COMPUNCTION-N- remorse, regret
I feel no compunction about punching you in the nose. You can't kiss my boyfriend behind my back!

DISPARAGE-V- to discredit, to belittle
The student disparaged me my calling me a loser with bad hair who can't even teach.

ADIITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS CLASSES:

COMELY-ADJ- attractive and agreeable
Because I am SO comely, all the fella want a date with me; it's those cantankerous girls with warty shins and bloody eyeballs that have trouble getting dates.

ASKEW-ADJ- crooked, slanted
We had always suspected he wore a toupe, but when he came in with his hair quite askew one windy day, we knew for sure it was a rag.

PRESAGE-V- foretell
The vultures flying overhead presaged the discovery of the corpse.

UNCOUTH-ADJ- outlandish and rude
I refused to bring my uncouth boyfriend to dinner at my prim and proper granma's house. He is more suited for been and peanuts at a biker bar.

GOSSAMER-ADJ- sheer, like cobwebs
The gossamer veil softened her face and made her look like a dream on her wedding day.

VOCABULARY 16
INSIDIOUS~adj~ sneaky, sly, meant to deceive or entrap, treacherous

ENGENDER~v~ to cause or exist or to develop; produce

EXACERBATE~v~ to make worse, to make more violent

GIBE~v~ to mock or ridicule
~n~ an expression of scorn or derision

GARRULOUS~adj~ tiresomely talkative, wordy and rambling

ALACRITY~n~ cheerful willlingness, eagerness

IMPLAUSIBLE~adj~ difficult to believe, provoking disbelief, not plausible

PHLEGMATIC~adj~ having or showing a slow and stolid temperament, having a sluggish temperament, unemotional

CONSECRATE~v~ to decleare or set apart as sacred, dedicated to a sacred purpose

LISTLESS~adj~ lack of interest, energy, or spirit, lethargic

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS...............

PREVARICATE~v~ to lie, to stray from or evade the truth

EXTOL~v~ to praise highly, exalt, glorify or honor

BEFUDDLE~v~ to confuse, perplex

YEN~n~ strong desire or inclination, a yearning or craving

MUTINOUS~adj~ rebellious, unruly, turbulent, uncontrollable

VOCABULARY 17

INSIDIOUS~adj~ sneaky, sly, meant to deceive or entrap, treacherous

ENGENDER~v~ to cause or exist or to develop; produce

EXACERBATE~v~ to make worse, to make more violent

GIBE~v~ to mock or ridicule
~n~ an expression of scorn or derision

GARRULOUS~adj~ tiresomely talkative, wordy and rambling

ALACRITY~n~ cheerful willlingness, eagerness

IMPLAUSIBLE~adj~ difficult to believe, provoking disbelief, not plausible

PHLEGMATIC~adj~ having or showing a slow and stolid temperament, having a sluggish temperament, unemotional

CONSECRATE~v~ to decleare or set apart as sacred, dedicated to a sacred purpose

LISTLESS~adj~ lack of interest, energy, or spirit, lethargic

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS...............

PREVARICATE~v~ to lie, to stray from or evade the truth

EXTOL~v~ to praise highly, exalt, glorify or honor

BEFUDDLE~v~ to confuse, perplex

YEN~n~ strong desire or inclination, a yearning or craving

MUTINOUS~adj~ rebellious, unruly, turbulent, uncontrollable

VOCABULARY 18

TACTLESS -adj- having no skill in dealing with people; rude; insensitive

THWART -v- to stop something from happening; to hinder. oppose, or frustrate

UNOBTRUSIVE -adj- not noticeable; inconspicuous, seeming to belong

VICARIOUS adj- fantasized

WHET -v- to increase, sharpen, stimulate

ADMONISH -v- to caution or warn, to criticize or warn midly but firmly

AMBIVALENCE -n- indecision, experiencing contradictory emotions

ASSUAGE -v- to soothe, make less severe, to satisfy, ease, lessen

BLITHE -adj- cheerful, carefree

CATALYST -n- something which causes reactions in other things without being affected itself

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS..........

BLANDISHMENT -n- flattery, sweet talk

COEVAL -adj- of the same or equal age, or duration, originating or existing during the same period

MOLLIFY -v- appease, calm, to pacify

PRETEXT -n- a false reason put forth to hide the real one

RECTIFY -v- to correct, to straighten, amend, revise, set right

VOCABULARY 19

CLANDESTINE -adj- secret

INVECTIVE -n- abuse (verbal)

DEFERENCE -n- great respect

INVEIGLE -v- to lead astray, OR..... to wheedle (which means cajole, or beg and beg and beg until you get what you want

DISPARITY -n- lack of equality, difference

EFFACE -v- to wipe out, to erase

EMENDATION -n- correction of errors, improvement

POTABLE -adj- suitable for drinking

TRUNCATE -v- to cut the top off

GRATUITOUS -adj- freely given; unnecessary, uncalled for, negative

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS.....

BENEFICENT -adj- kindly, good

IMPROVIDENT -adj- not thrifty

INVIDIOUS -adj- designed to create ill-will or envy

MEIN -n- demeanor, bearing, the way you carry yourself

RAMSHACKLE -adj- rickety, falling apart

VOCABULARY 20

UNFEIGNED~ADJ~ GENUINE, REAL

INADVERTENT~ADJ~ ACCIDENTAL, UNINTENTIONAL

INSCRUTABLE~ADJ~ IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND

SEDULOUS~ADJ~ DILIGENT, HARD-WORKING

LUCID~ADJ~ CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE

VITUPERATIVE~ADJ~ ABUSIVE, SCOLDING

PARTISAN~ADJ~ ONE-SIDED, PREJUDICE; COMMITTED TO ONE PARTY

PLACATE~V~ TO SOOTHE OR PACIFY

ICHTHYOLOGY~N~ THE STUDY OF FISH

QUANDARY~N~ DILEMMA

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

BASTION~N~ FORTRESS, DEFENSE, STRONGHOLD

COMPLICITY~N~ PARTICIPATION, INVOLVEMENT

MALINGERER~N~ ONE WHO PRETENDS TO BE SICK TO GET OUT OF RESPONSIBLITY

TOADY~V~ TO FLATTER FOR FAVORS

VENTURESOME~ADJ~ BOLD, DARING

VOCABULARY 21

REFURBISH~V~ to make like new

RESPITE~N~ intercal of rest, a break

SCOFF~V~ to mock or make fun of

SPORADIC~ADJ~ occuring irregulary

SUMPTUOUS~ADJ~ lavish, costly, extravagant

TALON~N~ claw

TIRADE~N~ long, angry scolding speech

UNSCATHED~adj~ unharmed

VILIFY~V~ to defame or slander

WITHER~V~ to dry up or shrivel

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS!!!!!

POLEMIC~N~ controversy, argument supporting a point of view

MUTABLE~ADJ~changing in form

GLOWER~V~scowl

BANDY~V~discuss lightly

UNWITTING~ADJ~ unintentional

VOCABULARY 23

IMPLACABLE~ADJ~ NOT ABLE TO BE SATISFIED OR PACIFIED; UNYEILDING, RELENTLESS

AMELIORATE~V~ TO MAKE BETTER, TO IMPROVE

BOMBASTIC~ADJ~ USE OF IMPRESSIVE SOUNDING LANGUAGE WITH LITTLE MEANING

CATHARSIS~N~ EMOTIONAL PURIFICATION OR RELIEF

ATROPHY~V~ TO WASTE AWAY

CLEMENCY~N~ MERCY, MILDNESS

PEJORATIVE~ADJ~ NEGATIVE, UNFAVORABLE

PROWESS~N~ BRAVERY; SKILL, ADEPTNESS

DEVOID~ADJ~ ENTIRELY WITHOUT; LACKING

TRUCULENT~ADJ~ FIERCE AND CRUEL, BRUTAL, SAVAGE

AdDiTiOnAl 5 FoR HoNoRs ClAsSeS!!!!!!!!

QUAGMIRE~N~ BOG, MARSH

BADINAGE~N~ TEASING CONVERSATION

DESULTORY~ADJ~ AIMLESS, JUMPING AROUND

INIQUITOUS~ADJ~ UNJUST, WICKED

SMATTERING~N~ SMALL AMOUNT

VOCABULARY 24

EFFERVESCENT~adj~ bubbly, producing bubbles; full of energy

AGOG~adj~ highly excited by eagerness

CONTRABAND~n~ goods smuggled into or out of a place where they are illegal

PORCINE~adj~ resembling a pig, related to a pig

EBULLITION~n~ a sudden violent outburst

VERSLIBRIST~n~ a writer of free-verse

INCIPIENT~adj~ beginning

INSIPID~adj~ dull, bland

NEBBISH~n~ a timid, meek, or ineffectual person

RAPSCALLION~n~ rascal

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS................

PRODIGIOUS~adj~ enormous in size or quantity; amazing

UNFLEDGED~adj~ not fully developed, immature

WARREN~n~ a place where rabbits live; a crowded tenement

BENIGHTED~adj~ being in a state of intellectual darkness, ignorant

TYRO~n~ a beginner, a novice

VOCABULARY 25

SNARKY~ADJ~ IRRITABLE, SHORT-TEMPERED

PAUCITY~N~ SCARCITY, SMALL AMOUNT

FIDDLE-FOOTED~ADJ~ EXCITABLE OR NERVOUS; INCLINED TO WANDER

FREEBOOTER~N~ A PERSON WHO PILLAGES AND PLUNDERS, ESPECIALLY A PIRATE

QUERULOUS~ADJ~ FAULT-FINDING, COMPLAINING

FLEER~ V/N ~ V~TO LAUGH OR SMIRK IN DERISION; N~ A TAUNTING LOOK OR GIBE

RETICENT~ADJ~ NOT SAYING MUCH, ESPECIALLY ABOUT SELF

SCRUPULOUS~ADJ~ HONEST, CONSCIENTIONS, CAREFUL ABOUT DETAILS

SPURIOUS~ADJ~ COUNTERFEIT, FALSE

SUPERCILIOUS~ADJ~ PROUD AND SCORNFUL, HAUGHTY, LOOKING DOWN ON

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

ADULATION~N~ FLATTERY, ADMIRATION

AFFABLE~ADJ~ COURTEOUS, PLESANT

ANTIPATHY~N~ AVERSION, DISLIKE

CEREBRATION~N~ THOUGHT

PRATE~V~ TO SPEAK FOOLISHLY, TO BOAST IDLY

VOCABULARY 26~ LAST ONE!

tangential~adj~ touching on a subject; diverging or digressing

trepidation~n~ apprehension, dread, fear

untenable~adj~ can't be defended or maintained

vindictive~adj~ revengeful, unforgiving, bitter

folderol~n~ foolishness, nonsense

aesthetic~adj~ artistic, showing appreciation of beatuty

analogous~adj~ comparable, similar

dodger~n~ a shifty, dishonest person, a trickster

buffoon~n~ a clown, a fool

caustic~adj~ stinging, biting

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

virulent~adj~ extremely poisonous

wary~adj~ very cautious

protract~v~ to prolong

puerile~adj~ childish

maelstrom~n~ whirlpool

VOCABULARY 26~ LAST ONE!

2006-06-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

tangential~adj~ touching on a subject; diverging or digressing

trepidation~n~ apprehension, dread, fear

untenable~adj~ can't be defended or maintained

vindictive~adj~ revengeful, unforgiving, bitter

folderol~n~ foolishness, nonsense

aesthetic~adj~ artistic, showing appreciation of beatuty

analogous~adj~ comparable, similar

dodger~n~ a shifty, dishonest person, a trickster

buffoon~n~ a clown, a fool

caustic~adj~ stinging, biting

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

virulent~adj~ extremely poisonous

wary~adj~ very cautious

protract~v~ to prolong

puerile~adj~ childish

maelstrom~n~ whirlpool

C2 VOCABULARY 11

2006-05-31T06:56:00.000-07:00

ingenuous-adj- innocent; sincere

altruistic-adj- selfless

arduous-adj- difficult, hard

venal-adj- open to bribery or corruption

capricious-adj- changeable, whimsical

sycophant-n- flatterer, suck-up

vacuous-adj- stupid or inane, devoid of meaning

ungainly-adj- awkward, clumsy

quell-v- to suppress or quiet by force

strident-adj- loud, harsh, doscordant, grating

additional words for honors:

cherubic-adj- angelic, innocent

meddlesome-adj- interfering

reprisal-n- retaliation

ebullient-adj- enthusiastic

dogged-adj- stubborn and perservering

VOCABULARY 25

2006-05-31T06:45:00.000-07:00

SNARKY~ADJ~ IRRITABLE, SHORT-TEMPERED

PAUCITY~N~ SCARCITY, SMALL AMOUNT

FIDDLE-FOOTED~ADJ~ EXCITABLE OR NERVOUS; INCLINED TO WANDER

FREEBOOTER~N~ A PERSON WHO PILLAGES AND PLUNDERS, ESPECIALLY A PIRATE

QUERULOUS~ADJ~ FAULT-FINDING, COMPLAINING

FLEER~ V/N ~ V~TO LAUGH OR SMIRK IN DERISION; N~ A TAUNTING LOOK OR GIBE

RETICENT~ADJ~ NOT SAYING MUCH, ESPECIALLY ABOUT SELF

SCRUPULOUS~ADJ~ HONEST, CONSCIENTIONS, CAREFUL ABOUT DETAILS

SPURIOUS~ADJ~ COUNTERFEIT, FALSE

SUPERCILIOUS~ADJ~ PROUD AND SCORNFUL, HAUGHTY, LOOKING DOWN ON

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

ADULATION~N~ FLATTERY, ADMIRATION

AFFABLE~ADJ~ COURTEOUS, PLESANT

ANTIPATHY~N~ AVERSION, DISLIKE

CEREBRATION~N~ THOUGHT

PRATE~V~ TO SPEAK FOOLISHLY, TO BOAST IDLY

EXTRA CREDIT~

eleemosynary~adj~ of, relating to, or depending on charity

fideism~n~ relying on faith alone rather than science or philosophy in religion

look-in~n~ a short visit

snarf~v~ to eat or drink eagerly, to devour

collywobbles~n~ bellyache

17 MAY UPDATE

2006-05-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

WOW, there's only a month of school left!!!!! Which means that some of you will have your mind on things other than your FAVORITE english class. wait, it's your only english class!

SO, JUST TO REVIEW:

C1 CLASSES...THIS MEANS YOU H AND B!
WE SHOULD ALREADY HAVE TWO PIECES OF WRITING FROM YOU THIS QUARTER..........THE LAST ONE OF THE YEAR IS DUE ON June 5 or 6, depending when your class meets.

Also, you've just finished your book chats, good job!

HONORS CLASSES...A AND F!
WE SHOULD ALREADY HAVE THREE PIECES OF WRITING FROM YOU THIS QUARTER............THE LAST ONE OF THE YEAR IS DUE ON June 5 or 6, depending when your class meets.

ALL CLASSES, please remember that dialogue journals are still due each and every Thursday your class meets........TWO entries! don't get behind!

P.S. NO MORE CHEATING OR PLAGIARIZING...................OR ELSE!

C2 VOCABULARY 10

2006-05-15T05:29:00.000-07:00

IF YOU ARE NOT IN A C2 CLASS, LOOK BELOW FOR VOCABULARY 24!!!!!!!!!! YOU MAY BE THINKING TO YOURSELF, GEE, I THINK I MAY HAVE ALREADY HAD THESE WORDS! YOU DID!

MOROSE~adj~ gloomy, bad tempered

PAINSTAKING~adj~ very careful

NEFARIOUS~adj~ extremely wicked, evil

PRECLUDE~v~ to prevent or make impossible

PROVINCIAL~adj~ unsophisticated, countrified

RECALCITRANT~adj~ unmanageable, refusing to follow rules

RESCIND~v~to cancel, repeal, or take back

JUXTAPOSE~v~ to place side by side to compare or contrast

FECUND~adj~ fruitful, productive, intellectually productive

SUBSTANTIATE~v~ to support with proof, to verify

extra 5........
DOLT~n~ a stupid person

AGAPE~adj~ open-mouthed

IMPECCABLE~adj~ perfect, flawless

RESPLENDENT~adj~ brilliant, lustrous

PERORATE~v~ to lecture or give a sermon

VOCABULARY 23

2006-05-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

IMPLACABLE~ADJ~ NOT ABLE TO BE SATISFIED OR PACIFIED; UNYEILDING, RELENTLESS

AMELIORATE~V~ TO MAKE BETTER, TO IMPROVE

BOMBASTIC~ADJ~ USE OF IMPRESSIVE SOUNDING LANGUAGE WITH LITTLE MEANING

CATHARSIS~N~ EMOTIONAL PURIFICATION OR RELIEF

ATROPHY~V~ TO WASTE AWAY

CLEMENCY~N~ MERCY, MILDNESS

PEJORATIVE~ADJ~ NEGATIVE, UNFAVORABLE

PROWESS~N~ BRAVERY; SKILL, ADEPTNESS

DEVOID~ADJ~ ENTIRELY WITHOUT; LACKING

TRUCULENT~ADJ~ FIERCE AND CRUEL, BRUTAL, SAVAGE

AdDiTiOnAl 5 FoR HoNoRs ClAsSeS!!!!!!!!

QUAGMIRE~N~ BOG, MARSH

BADINAGE~N~ TEASING CONVERSATION

DESULTORY~ADJ~ AIMLESS, JUMPING AROUND

INIQUITOUS~ADJ~ UNJUST, WICKED

SMATTERING~N~ SMALL AMOUNT

eXtRa CrEdIt:

singultous~n~ hiccup

vulpine~adj~ related to a fox; foxy, crafty

kakistocracy~n~ government by the least qualified or most nuprincipled citizens

abaction~n~ stealing of cattle on a large-scale

hypermnesia~n~ abnormally vivid or complete memory of the past

C2 VOCABULARY 10

2006-05-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

MOROSE-adj-gloomy and bad tempered

PAINSTAKING-adj-very carefule, attentive

NEFARIOUS-adj-wicked, evil

PRECLUDE-v-to prevent

PROVINCIAL-adj-unsophisticated, countrified

RECCALCITRANT-adj-unmanageable, refusing to follow rules

RESCIND-v-to take back, cancel, appeal

JUXTAPOSE-v-to place side by side to compare or contrast

FECUND-adj-fertile, productive

SUBSTANTIATE-v-to support with proof or verify

C2 Vocabulary 9

2006-05-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

THIS IS FOR COLLEGE 2 STUDENTS, EVERYONE ELSE..........SCROLL DOWN FOR VOCAB 21!!!!!
YOUR QUIZ IS ON FRIDAY 5 MAY!!!

duplicity-n- deceitfulness

emulate-v- to try to equal or surpass

euphemism-n- a nice way of saying something that is harsh

fastidious-adj- hard to please, particular

garbled-adj- confused mixture

hierarchy-n- organization by rank or class

impassive-adj- without feeling or emotion

indigent-adj- poverty stricken

jargon-n- specialized vocabulary of members of a group

lethargic-adj- drowsy, dull sluggish

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:
panache-n- flair, flamboyance

inept-adj- incompetent

disconsolate-adj- sad

somnolent-adj- half-asleep

nepotism-n- favoritism to a relative

EXTRA CREDIT-
scofflaw-n- one who flouts laws....traffic, liquor, etc

perspicuous-adj- easily understood

perspicacious-adj- having good judgement, discerning

operculum-n- body process or part that suggests a lid, the covering of the gills of a fish

interstice-n- crack, crevice

Week of 1-5 MAY!

2006-05-02T05:39:00.000-07:00

Yay, it's May!!!

Book chats are next week on Tuesday and Wednesday, so get your projects and index cards ready!

*All classes that meet this Thursday (H and F) have dialogue journals due......TWO ENTRIES!*

*All honors classes have the second writing piece of the quarter due on Thursday or Friday!*

*Vocab is the same as usual, quiz and sentences are on Thursday or Friday depending on when we meet*

****Anyone missing work, and that's a lot of you.......please get it in as soon as possible, progress reports are about two weeks away and i'm tired of chasing you around! Remember, every time you don't do two weeks of Vocab sentences, it's like failing a quiz........think about it!****

VOCABULARY 21

2006-05-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

REFURBISH~V~ to make like new

RESPITE~N~ intercal of rest, a break

SCOFF~V~ to mock or make fun of

SPORADIC~ADJ~ occuring irregulary

SUMPTUOUS~ADJ~ lavish, costly, extravagant

TALON~N~ claw

TIRADE~N~ long, angry scolding speech

UNSCATHED~adj~ unharmed

VILIFY~V~ to defame or slander

WITHER~V~ to dry up or shrivel

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS!!!!!

POLEMIC~N~ controversy, argument supporting a point of view

MUTABLE~ADJ~changing in form

GLOWER~V~scowl

BANDY~V~discuss lightly

UNWITTING~ADJ~ unintentional

ExTrA cReDiT!!!!!

WISEACRE~N~ one who pretends to have knowledge or cleverness, smart aleck

DISCALCEATE~V~ to pull off sheos or sandals

ZEROTH~ADJ~ being numbered zero in a series, also of or relating to being a zero

EDACIOUS~ADJ~ having a huge appetite, revenous, excessively eager

SYLPH~N~ a slender graceful woman or girl

BOOK CHAT GUIDELINES

2006-04-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

"What do we have to do for a book chat?” students whine.

“Never fear. As your leader, I will outline the requirements, “ I promise.

1. READ YOUR BOOK!!! I can not stress the importance of this step too much.

2. Write a summary of your book:
Setting
Characters
Plot
Theme

3. Be prepared to speak about your book - Tell us the title and author. Share your summary with us to some degree - but make it interesting! Give a recommendation about your book- thumbs up or thumbs down. Then, give three examples from the book to support your verdict. Be specific. (Remember, someone may want to read your book, so don’t give away any surprises.)

4. Bring in some kind of visual aid - make a poster, picture, cartoon, etc. to show what you know. Or you could dress up as a character or the author - if you choose this option, make it good! I will be looking for creativity, a focus on sharing information about the book, and information about characters, plot, and theme. Keep in mind that this comprises about 1/4 of your quarter grade, so it’s an important assignment and should reflect a substantial amount of effort. (Well, not JUST in the visual aid . . . the rest of your presentation should be pretty darn good, too!)

If you would like to make this a snack-fest then we need to have people sign up to bring food. If you don’t bring food, you don’t eat food.

VOCABULARY 20

2006-04-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

UNFEIGNED~ADJ~ GENUINE, REAL

INADVERTENT~ADJ~ ACCIDENTAL, UNINTENTIONAL

INSCRUTABLE~ADJ~ IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND

SEDULOUS~ADJ~ DILIGENT, HARD-WORKING

LUCID~ADJ~ CLEAR, UNDERSTANDABLE

VITUPERATIVE~ADJ~ ABUSIVE, SCOLDING

PARTISAN~ADJ~ ONE-SIDED, PREJUDICE; COMMITTED TO ONE PARTY

PLACATE~V~ TO SOOTHE OR PACIFY

ICHTHYOLOGY~N~ THE STUDY OF FISH

QUANDARY~N~ DILEMMA

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

BASTION~N~ FORTRESS, DEFENSE, STRONGHOLD

COMPLICITY~N~ PARTICIPATION, INVOLVEMENT

MALINGERER~N~ ONE WHO PRETENDS TO BE SICK TO GET OUT OF RESPONSIBLITY

TOADY~V~ TO FLATTER FOR FAVORS

VENTURESOME~ADJ~ BOLD, DARING

EXTRA CREDIT:

SCURF~N~ SCALY OR SHREDDED DRY SKIN, DANDRUFF

SALTATORY~ADJ~ RELATING TO LEAPING OR DANCING

SONGFEST~N~ INFORMAL GROUP SING

SOBERSIDED~ADJ~ MODERATE, DEVOID OF EXTREME QUALITITES

SOBRIQUET~N~ AFFECTIONATE NICKNAME, ASSUMED NAME

WEEK OF 24-28 APRIL

2006-04-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

WELCOME BACK FROM VACATION!
I HOPE YOU ARE ALL RESTED, I'M SURE NOT BUT I'M HERE ANYWAY~

Honors Classes:
If i didn't receive a writing piece from you before vacation, I NEED IT ASAP...........or ELSE!

F and H periods:
Anyone who didn't turn in dialogue journal entries before vacation, I NEED THOSE TOO!

All C1 Classes:
Your first piece of writing for the quarter is due on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. B-Period, i know this is a busy week for you with vocabulary, dialogue journal entries, and a writing piece, but all you have to worry about for nex week is vocab so it will be a nice rest.

EVERYONE~ BOOK CHATS ARE ONLY TWO WEEKS AWAY, START THINKING ABOUT YOUR VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND NOTECARDS. I WILL REPOST THE BOOK CHAT INFORMATION ON THIS WONDERFUL BLOG SO YOU CAN REFERENCE IT 24 HOURS A DAY!!!!!

10 April, THE WEEK BEFORE VACATION!!!

2006-04-10T05:35:00.000-07:00

The countdown to vacation is ON!
Only 5 days of school left before we are set free for 9 WHOLE days. I know, i know, it's less than that for most of you because of those school trips, and pre-planned family vacations. As a special gift to all of you who will be her on Friday, I won't be! I know i'll be missed though, and you'll think about me and all the wonderful things that we would do in class if i were there.

Until then, here's what's up for the week:

A and B periods.... Your vocabulary quiz will be on this WEDNESDAY, NOT FRIDAY!!!! Have your sentences ready!

F and H periods.... Business as usualy, Vocab quiz and sentences for thursday, dialogue journal entries (2) due thursday

ALL YOU HONORS KIDS>>>>>>> MAKE SURE WE HAVE A WRITING PIECE FROM YOU BY FRIDAY!

A Period, IF WE COULD HAVE YOUR WRITING BY WEDNESDAY, THERE WILL BE STARBURST INVOLVED (or a tootsie roll for Truman!)

We are now in the second week of the quarter, don't forget to keep up with all of your work, ESPECIALLY if you miss class...remember that you are still responsible for the Vocab even if you AREN'T here thanks to our BLOG.

***ONE LAST REMINDER*** Posting on this blog means extra credit for YOU! There were 6 students whose grades improved last quarter just for posting on this BLOG!!

VOCABULARY 19

2006-04-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

CLANDESTINE -adj- secret

INVECTIVE -n- abuse (verbal)

DEFERENCE -n- great respect

INVEIGLE -v- to lead astray, OR..... to wheedle (which means cajole, or beg and beg and beg until you get what you want

DISPARITY -n- lack of equality, difference

EFFACE -v- to wipe out, to erase

EMENDATION -n- correction of errors, improvement

POTABLE -adj- suitable for drinking

TRUNCATE -v- to cut the top off

GRATUITOUS -adj- freely given; unnecessary, uncalled for, negative

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS.....

BENEFICENT -adj- kindly, good

IMPROVIDENT -adj- not thrifty

INVIDIOUS -adj- designed to create ill-will or envy

MEIN -n- demeanor, bearing, the way you carry yourself

RAMSHACKLE -adj- rickety, falling apart

WOOT WOOT! EXTRA CREDIT HERE I COME!

YAWPING-n- a loud, bad sound

RESILE-v- to spring back into shape, to draw back or recoil

TOCSIN-n- an alarm sounded by bell

TREEN-n- wooden cookware or utensils

KEELHAUL-v- drag under keel of boat to punish

4th QUARTER DUE DATES

2006-04-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

YAY! It's the fourth quarter! This is a chance for all of us to start fresh!
Just to get everyone off on better footing, we would like to propose the following progam........

Actually, it's not a proposal; it's how it's going to be!

WRITING PIECES: due dates depend on the day your fabulous class meets!

C1 CLASSES...THIS MEANS YOU F AND B!

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THREE WRITING ASSIGNMENTS THIS QUARTER. THE DUE DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
April 26 or 27
May 15 or 16
June 5 or 6

HONORS CLASSES...A AND F!
YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOUR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS THIS QUARTER. THE DUE DATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
April 13 or 14
May 4 or 5
May 18 or 19
June 5 or 6

FOR EVERYONE:

AND FOR THE BEST NEWS OF ALL.....
YOU WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A BOOK CHAT THAT WILL BEGIN ON MAY 9 OR 10

Don't forget about all the routine things we do every week in the wonderful world of English- vocabulary and reading and dialogue journals due every Thursday that your class meets- it's just going to be a fun-filled quarter so mark those dates on your calendars!

One more thing to keep in the back of your mind......finals will be conducted in the same way that mid-terms were. Keep all those vocab sheets and notes you took in class, and keep checking the BLOG!

VOCABULARY 18

2006-04-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Click on the word to be linked to a pronunciation page!

TACTLESS -adj- having no skill in dealing with people; rude; insensitive

THWART -v- to stop something from happening; to hinder. oppose, or frustrate

UNOBTRUSIVE -adj- not noticeable; inconspicuous, seeming to belong

VICARIOUS adj- fantasized

WHET -v- to increase, sharpen, stimulate

ADMONISH -v- to caution or warn, to criticize or warn midly but firmly

AMBIVALENCE -n- indecision, experiencing contradictory emotions

ASSUAGE -v- to soothe, make less severe, to satisfy, ease, lessen

BLITHE -adj- cheerful, carefree

CATALYST -n- something which causes reactions in other things without being affected itself

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS..........

BLANDISHMENT -n- flattery, sweet talk

COEVAL -adj- of the same or equal age, or duration, originating or existing during the same period

MOLLIFY -v- appease, calm, to pacify

PRETEXT -n- a false reason put forth to hide the real one

RECTIFY -v- to correct, to straighten, amend, revise, set right

AND THE EXTRA CREDIT:

CHORINE- a chorus girl
BAKSHEESH- paymet for expedite service (tip or bribe)
BELLWETHER- leader, indicator of trends
HYPNOGOGIC- relating to drowsiness before sleep
GLABELLA- smooth prominence between eyebrows

SMILEY FACE TRICKS! :o)

2006-04-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

Smiley-Face Tricks~With many thanks to MaryEllen Ledbetter

1~ MAGIC 3—Lists, examples, adjectivs......three examples in a series can create a rhythm, or add support for a point, they add emphasis and a poetic, musical quiality for listeners/readers :

In those woods, I spent hours LISTENING to the wind rustle the leaves, CLIMBING trees and spying on nesting birds, and GIVING the occasional wild growl to scare away any pink-flowered girls who might be riding their bikes too closely to my secret entrance.

2~REPETITION FOR EFFECT—Writers often repeat specially chosen words or phrases to make a point, to stress certain ideas for the reader........repeat a symbol, sentence starter, important word for importance. This is not because you can't think of another work, repetition for effect is always conscious!

The veranda is your only shelter AWAY FROM the sister in bed asleep, AWAY FROM the brother who plays in the tree house in the field, AWAY FROM your chores that await you.

3~ SPECIFIC DETAILS FOR EFFECT—Instead of general, vague descriptions, specific sensory details help the reader visualize the person, place, thing, or idea—uh, you know, a SHOW as opposed to tell! Add vivid and specific information to your writing to clarify anf create word pictures. thundered instead of noise, cadillac instead of car.....you get the point.

It’s one of those experiences where you want to CALL A RADIO STATION and tell your problems to SOME GUY WHO CALLS HIMSELF DR. MYKE but who isn’t more of a doctor than your pet hamster is, one of those experiences where you want to READ A SAPPY HARLEQUIN NOVEL and LISTEN TO BARRY MANILOWE with a BOX OF BONBONS AS YOUR BEST FRIEND, one of those experiences where you wouldn’t be surprised if someone came up to you and asked EXACTLY WHAT TIME YESTERDAY YOU WERE BORN. Yeah, one of those.

4~ FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE—Non-literal comparisons such as similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, symbolism, irony, alliteration, assosance etc —add “spice” to writing and can help paint a more vivid picture for the reader:

~SIMILIES~ comepare using like or as...stiff AS a board

~METAPHORS~ compares without using like or as... her face is an opsn book

~HYERBOLE~ an extreme exaggeration... so hungry i could eat a horse

~ONOMATOPOEIA~ a word that sounds like what it means... BAM! BOOM! ZAP! CRUNCH!

~ALLITERATION~ repetition of beginning consonant sound...peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers...gives noise and music to the piece of writing

~ASSONANCE~ related to alliteration, the dark side of it, repetition of vowel sound in neighboring words...rain in spain....but it doesn't have to rhyme...hEat of the mEan girls' argument is a near rhyme

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses on its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. (Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting)

5~ FULL-CIRCLE ENDING - When you include an image at the beginning of a piece of writing and then mentioning it again at the end, it gives your piece a sense of closure.

6~ HYPHENATED MODIFIERS— When you connect two adjectives or adverbs together with a hyphen to describe a noun, it lends an air of originality and sophistication to your writing. Sometimes a new way of saying something can make all the difference; hyphenated modifiers, or single-thought adjectives, often cause the reader to “sit up and take notice.” They add originality and more flavor to writing and allow you to invent words:

She’s got this chestnut hair with reddish-orange highlights, parted in the middle, past her shoulders, and straight as a preacher. She’s got big green eyes that all guys admire and all girls envy, and this I’m-so-beautiful-and-I-know-it body; you know, like every other super model.

7~ EXPANDED MOMENT—Instead of “speeding” past a moment, writers often emphasize it by “expanding” the actions, developing it fully to make your reader take notice. Taking a moment you would ordinarily speed past and stretch it out intentionally. This makes writing BETTER, not longer!

But no, I had to go to school. And, as I said before, I had to listen to my math teacher preach about numbers and letters and parallelograms. I was tired of hearing her lecture about a=b divided by x. I glared at the small black hands on the clock, silently threatening them to go faster. But they didn’t listen, and I caught myself wishing I were in a swimsuit again, mindlessly nudging white sand that married pale-blue water, flipping the soft stiff pages of Camus’ The Stranger… I don’t belong in some dumb math class. I belong on the beach where the wind whips wheat-colored strands of hair into my eyes and where I thickly slurp virgin Pina Coladas all day. I want to grip a straw not a mechanical pencil that will try unsuccessfully to write the answers to meaningless questions.

8~ HUMOR—Professional writers know the value of laughter; even subtle humor can help turn a “boring” paper into one that can raise someone’s spirits. Whenever possible and appropriate, inject a little humor to keep your reader awake. Remind the rader that reading is fun!

And you—yes, you, Justin!—were the guilty party who, after I took off my shoes to enjoy the hot pavement in early spring, put a frog in them. Of course, I didn’t look at the shoes when I put them back on; it was the squish that gave your prank away.

KICK SOME MCAS

2006-03-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

27 March-31 March 2006

HAPPY MCAS WEEK!

Hopefully all of yoiu enjoyed the rally on Monday, i know i sure did! The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System's English component will only last 3 days. Not too bad, right? And as a favor to all of our fantastic students, we are NOT DOING VOCABULARY this week. i know, i know, you're just tickled pink, arentcha?

They only English-related thing you have to worry about, besides those pesky tests, is MAKE-UP WORK!

IF WE DO NOT HAVE IT IN OUR HANDS BY WEDNESDAY AFTER SCHOOL, ANYTHING MISSING WILL **poof!** TURN INTO A ZERO!

I'm looking forward to next week when we no longer have to worry about practicing for MCAS and we can go back to business as usual.

Thanks for all your cooperation while we prepared you for this demanding week of your lives!

COLLEGE 2 VOCABULARY 8

2006-03-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

ADULTERATE-v- to corrupy, to contaminate, to pollute

ALOOF-adj- not interested, stanoffish, indifferent

APOCHRYPHAL-adj- false, counterfeit

BELITTLE-v- to make something seem unimportant, to trivialize

CAPITULATE-v to surrender, to give in

CRESTFALLEN-adj- discourages, disappointed

CONCILIATORY-adj- meant to soothe or reconcile

DEARTH-n- shortage

DESECRATE-v- to treat with disrespect

DIFFIDENT-n- shy; modest, unassertive

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS:

SPECTRAL-adj- ghostly

MENDACTIOUS-adj- lying, false

GUFFAW-n- boistereous laughter

BILK-v- to swinde, to cheat

PULSILLANIMOUS-adj- cowardly, fainthearted

VW Comercial thanks to Chris Hathaway

2006-03-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, Chris Hathaway and i were talking about how funny the new VW commercial is with the whole 'Un-Pimp My Ride Theme', and he was good in pointing out all of the improper english used by the German engineers, obviously meant to be funny while mking fun of the kid who gets an 'F' for being LAME....... a good observation, so if you haven't seen it, check it out by clicking the link HERE!

VOCABULARY 17

2006-03-21T07:15:00.000-08:00

NONCHALANCE ~n~ carelessness, lack of interest or concern

PARSIMONIOUS ~adj~ too thrifty, stingy, cheap

PIQUE ~v~ to hurt feelings; to excite or arouse interest

TACIT ~adj~ unspoken, silent but implied

PUGNACIOUS ~adj~ eager to fight

REDUNDANT ~adj~ repetitive

LIMPID ~adj~ clear (like water), clear (easy to understand)

MARTINET ~n~ a strict disciplinarian

SOPOROFIC ~adj~ producing sleep

SAGACIOUS ~adj~ very wise

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS

TITANIC ~adj~ gigantic

GADFLY ~n~ an animal biting fly, an irritating person

PURLOIN ~v~ steal

ARDOR ~n~ passion, heat, zeal

WAX ~v~ increase, grow

OH YIPPEE! THE EXTRA CREDIT WORDS ARE BACK IN ACTION!

SPARGE ~v~ to spray or sprinkly

BUBBLE AND SQUEAK ~n~ cabbage and potatoes fried together

BONTON ~n~ sophisticated manner or style, the proper thing, high society

ALGOPHOBIA ~n~ abnormal fear of pain

GRACILE ~adj~ gracefully slender, graceful

GAH!

2006-03-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

im having a relaly hard time thinkig of topics to write about...
anyone want to help me out?

Week of 20-24 March

2006-03-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

Another busy week in the life of our English class..... here's what's going on:

A AND B PERIODS:
You have TWO dialogue journals due, vocab sentences, a writing piece due (either Tuesday or Thursday, and of course, the vocab quiz in class on Thursday (words including the extra credit are posted below)

H AND F PERIODS:
You also have a writing piece due this week.......it is due on either Wednesday or Friday. Your vocabulary quiz is Friday and the vocab sentences are dure on Wednesday.

D PERIOD:
We will be giving you Vocabulary 8 at some point this week but the quiz will not be until after MCAS next week. We will also be going to the computer lab to finish our character sketches.

Any questions, just post a comment or e-mail me!

VOCABULARY 16

2006-03-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

INSIDIOUS~adj~ sneaky, sly, meant to deceive or entrap, treacherous

ENGENDER~v~ to cause or exist or to develop; produce

EXACERBATE~v~ to make worse, to make more violent

GIBE~v~ to mock or ridicule
~n~ an expression of scorn or derision

GARRULOUS~adj~ tiresomely talkative, wordy and rambling

ALACRITY~n~ cheerful willlingness, eagerness

IMPLAUSIBLE~adj~ difficult to believe, provoking disbelief, not plausible

PHLEGMATIC~adj~ having or showing a slow and stolid temperament, having a sluggish temperament, unemotional

CONSECRATE~v~ to decleare or set apart as sacred, dedicated to a sacred purpose

LISTLESS~adj~ lack of interest, energy, or spirit, lethargic

ADDITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS...............

PREVARICATE~v~ to lie, to stray from or evade the truth

EXTOL~v~ to praise highly, exalt, glorify or honor

BEFUDDLE~v~ to confuse, perplex

YEN~n~ strong desire or inclination, a yearning or craving

MUTINOUS~adj~ rebellious, unruly, turbulent, uncontrollable

6 March is a SUPER BUSY WEEK!

2006-03-08T05:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's what we have going on assignment-wise:

A and B periods have the worst of it because we only meet twice this week.....
Each student is responsible for the following:

1~ 2 Dialogue Journal Entries!

2~ Vocabulary Sentences

3~ Be prepared for the Vocabulary 15 Quiz

4~ Bring MCAS Practice Prompt to Class

F and H periods have it a little easier:
1~ Vocabulary sentences are due today (Wenesday) in class

2~ Be prepared for the Vocabulary 15 Quiz on Friday

3~ We will be writing our final drafts for the MCAS pratice prompt on Friday

I know this is a tough week for everyone but there is light at the end of the tunnel, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow......FOOD on thursday and friday for everyone who cooperates!

Post Post

2006-03-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

ok i am a contributor to the blog. yes i am. So i think i should get some hefty recognition.
I hope everyone had a great vacation and I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces again soon.
lol Im lying a little of course.

Superstar Student Posts!

2006-03-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

"ask not what the blog can do for you, but what you can do for the blog."
- Thurman Murman

SO.........students are now actively participating, some have been for a while, some are new.......here is what they have contributed.................

BLAKE:

English is AMAZINg, craaazy cool, and sarah jessica parker's hall of fame.

E- Emazing
N- Not German
G- GREAT!
L- Lovable
I- Intrepid
S- Sophisticated
H- Hot like Sarah Jessica Parker

AND FROM ANOTHER STAR STUDENT:

hey yall, im made one of them thar thingies too!

E- enema
N-nomads
G-galbladder
L-listerine
I-insulin
S-soap
h-hash (corned beef that is)

i also wanted to say that english class has provided me with important life lessons that hve changed my life forever.

WOW DID YOU ALL READ THAT? LIFE LESSONS IN ENGLISH.....WHO WOULD'VE THUNK?

WELCOME BACK FROM VACATION! WEEK OF 6-10 MARCH!

2006-03-06T05:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome back from vacation!

Hopefully everyone is well rested and ready for yet another week of the greatest subject to ever be taught...........ENGLISH! This week will be dedicated to MCAS practice, i know, i know, very exciting right? Well, by the end of the week you may be bored but you will also be prepared for the testing at the end of the month. Don't worry though, we'll still have time for all the regulars: independent reading, grammar and yes, VOCAB!!! Woot woot!

Below this post you will find the Vocabulary for the week, yes, even the extra credit words defined as a reward for anyone who checks out this FANTASTIC blog!

B-Period, please DO NOT FORGET about the Vocab 14 quiz that you have TOMORROW because we didn't have time for it before vacation. If you have lost the words, HAVE NO FEAR, just look at the left column on this page and click on VOCABULARY 14 and your prayers will be answered!

And a big thanks to Jessica for posting on the blog (extra credit for her!) If you don't read the comments at the end of each post, that's ok because i'll copy it below!

oh gosh this is confusing, but since i'm such a dedicated english fan i decided to try this out. well i made a fabulous observation while in florida.
i took a trip through the everglades and discovered an island made by the indians(they threw the remains of shellfish they ate in the same spot for many years). so anyways this boy grew up in the everglades and fished around and hated people so he'd always spend time on the islands, and when he grew up he bought one of the islands and spent his entire life as a recluse (yup vocab) until he died from a heart attack.

VOCABULARY 15

2006-03-06T05:16:00.000-08:00

INVETERATE-ADJ- long standing; habitual
I am an inveterate nailbiter; i've been doing it since i was four years old.

MULTIFARIOUS-ADJ- having great variety; numerous and diverse
When you get to college, there are multifarious courses to choose from, unlike the limited options available in high school.

RENEGADE-N- an outlaw, a traitor, a deserter
I've always wanted to be a renegade, but i'm afraid of being hunted down and arrested.

RUMINATE-V- to meditate, to think at length
I have a tendency to ruminate too much about me life instead of just living in the moment.

CARPING-ADJ- complaining
Your carping about having to read every day and write stories and sit in your seats and listen to me is REALLY getting on my nerves. Suck it up and deal!

CLAIRVOYANT-N, ADJ- having exceptional insight; a person with exceptional insight (a psychic)
I am tempted to visit a clairvoyant to find out what my future holds.

PANOPLY-N- 1. A splendid array 2. warrior's armor
We discovered a panoply of old dolls on a hidden table at a nearby garage sale; I scooped them all up.

LOLL-V- to lounge, to act in a lazy manner
Sometimes i think that i'd rather loll around all day watching TV and eating chocolate insted of teaching. Then i come to my senses.

COMPUNCTION-N- remorse, regret
I feel no compunction about punching you in the nose. You can't kiss my boyfriend behind my back!

DISPARAGE-V- to discredit, to belittle
The student disparaged me my calling me a loser with bad hair who can't even teach.

ADIITIONAL 5 FOR HONORS CLASSES:

COMELY-ADJ- attractive and agreeable
Because I am SO comely, all the fella want a date with me; it's those cantankerous girls with warty shins and bloody eyeballs that have trouble getting dates.

ASKEW-ADJ- crooked, slanted
We had always suspected he wore a toupe, but when he came in with his hair quite askew one windy day, we knew for sure it was a rag.

PRESAGE-V- foretell
The vultures flying overhead presaged the discovery of the corpse.

UNCOUTH-ADJ- outlandish and rude
I refused to bring my uncouth boyfriend to dinner at my prim and proper granma's house. He is more suited for been and peanuts at a biker bar.

GOSSAMER-ADJ- sheer, like cobwebs
The gossamer veil softened her face and made her look like a dream on her wedding day.

AND NOW........THE EXTRA CREDIT!!!!

COMSTOCKERY-N- Censorship of literature and other forms of expression and communication because of perceived immorality or obscenity

IN CAMERA-ADV-In secret; privately. OR In private with a judge rather than in open court.

PETTIFOGGER-N- n 1: a person (especially a lawyer or politician) who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods 2: a disputant who quibbles; someone who raises annoying petty objections

PANTOFFLE-N- A slipper

UFOLOGY-N-The study of unidentified flying objects.

C2 VOCABULARY 7

2006-03-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

QUINTESSENCE-n- the purest form, the best example

TENTATIVE-adj- unsure, hesitant, depending on a condition

REPUGNANT-adj- repulsive, disgusting

VENERATE-v- to honor or treat with great respect

SOPHOMORIC-adj-childish and silly, immature and juvenile

STULTIFYING-adj- causing to appear stupid; rendering useless

STARK-adj- empty or bare, grim, desolate, bleak

REBUFF-v- to reject or refuse rudely

VORACIOUS-adj- ravenous, greedy,

QUIESCENT-adj- at rest, inactive, dormant

Additional 5 for Honors:

XENOPHOBIA-n- the fear of foreigners

BESMIRCH-v- to make dity (usually related to a reputation of someone)

IMPRUDENT-adj-unwise, indiscreet, lacking discretion

PENURIOUS-adj-stingy

PERFUNCTORY-adj- careless, indifferent

FROM LYDOA

2006-02-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

ENGLISH

E- esoteric
N- not nefarious
G- gregarious
L- laudible
I- ingratiating
S- not squandered
H- heretic?

haha i love english you know

ENGLISH = DANK

2006-02-22T08:27:00.000-08:00

yes, Lydia, you've discovered the joys of posting on the class blog, you are truly a super star! you forgot to post your contact info in case anyone wanted to call you over vacation, perhaps to make some more snow angels?

In response to your questions:

NO, your class is not responsible for a memoir this week, although it would be wonderful to get a few. We do need a writing piece by the time you get back from vacation if you can swing it.

As for the vocab words, posting them online is incentive for students to actually use the class blog. It's still fun to learn them in class because Ms. Wallace gesticulates like crazy and it's entertaining. Haha. Enjoy the extra credit words.

School= Schwag

2006-02-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

haha i think i can post blogs on the English homework account.

o this is way to satisfying.

well everyone i hope you all have a fabulous vacation...i know i will...ill be on the island...all vacation so hit me up and we will party.
call mee at home my cell phone went through the wash

alright now for some actual english related things

questions from me cause i have nothing else to do and lunch is in like 5 minutes:

do we have to write a memior for this week?
and why woulld you want ott copy down the vocab words if its just going to leave you to do nothing in the actual anglish calss?

hate lap toip keyboards

Week of 21 FEBRUARY!

2006-02-21T05:20:00.000-08:00

Yay! Only four days of school before vacation. Which means you only have our class twice! How exciting!

Periods H and F- You each have ONE, not two, dialogue journal entry due this week. Vocabulary sentences are due on Thursday and the quiz is on Thursday as well.

Periods A and B- If all goes as planned, we will be working on memoirs this week. Your vocabulary sentences are due on Friday and yes, your quiz is on Friday as well.

D Period- We will continue working on methods of characterization on Wednesday and Friday. We will spend part of class going to the library and typing up our dominant impressions from the character maps we made in class.

Remember, drafts are always welcomed as are extra dialogue journal entries. You could even write two for this week, hold on to one, and then only have to worry about one next time.

VOCABULARY 14

2006-02-21T05:08:00.000-08:00

And now that you've thoroughly enjoyed my cartoon (HA HA HA!), here are the words:

RECLUSE-n- a person who lives alone and away from others

FARRAGO -n- a careless or confused mixture, a hodge-podge

VERNACULAR -n- standard, everyday language; common, idiomatic

UNGUENT -n- ointment; salve for wounds

SUCCINT -adj- concise, clearly said in a few words

TACITURN-adj- habitually untalkative, uncommunicative

TOUT-v- to promote or praise energetically

UNIMPEACHABLE-adj- beyond doubt, beyond reproach

VIABLE-adj- able to live or exist

WANTON-adj- immoral; deliberately cruel and malicious

additional 5 for honors classes:

PRATTLE -v- babble, chatter

METTLE -n- courage, spirit

GREGARIOUS -adj- sociable

ENMITY -n- ill-will, hatred

VEXATIOUS -adj- full of annoyance or distress; harassed, intended to vex or annoy

AND NOW...........THE EXTRA CREDIT WORDS!!!!

VERMICULATE-V- TO DECORATE WITH WAVY OR WINDING LINES or ADJ- WORM-LIKE, TWISTING, INFECTED WITH WORMS (EWWW!)

MISPRIZE-V- TO DESPISE; TO UNDERVALUE

HEMIALGIA-N- PAIN AFFECTING ONE HALF OF THE BODY

HELMINTHOLOGY-N- THE STUDY OF WORMS (EWWW AGAIN!)

COLLEGE 2 VOCABULARY 5

2006-02-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

HERETIC-N- someone who goes against a church
LAUDABLE-ADJ- praiseworthy
PROPENSITY-N- tendency, inclination
INDEFATIGABLE-ADJ- tireless
IMPARTIAL-ADJ- fair
PRAGMATIC-ADJ- practical
PERUSE-V- to study, to look over carefully
OVERT-ADJ- obvious
MITIGATE-V- to relieve, to make less intenst
IRRELEVANT-ADJ- not realted, not important

VOCABULARY 13

2006-02-14T06:28:00.000-08:00

I'm posting the sentences too because there wasn't enough time in class! Remember, B period, your quiz is WEDNESDAY, not FRIDAY.........BOOK CHAT ON FRIDAY INSTEAD>>>>>>>BRING SNACKS!

BELLICOSE-adj- war-like, quarrelsome
The bellicose 6th graders kept on hitting eachother and calling eachother names during recess.
ABJURE-v- to renounce; to avoid or shun
It might be a good idea to adjure your peers when they make bad decisions
INGRATIATE-v- to get on someone's good side, to make oneself acceptable
If you want to get a good grade, you may want to ingratiate your teacher by bringing her a valentine.
JUDICIOUS-adj- wise, careful, showing good judgement
The judicious student always looked before crossing the street, didn't drive after midnight, and never did drugs.
LEVITY-n- lightness, lack of seriousness
The professor shouwed such levity with his lecture that the students were unable to take it seriously.
CORROSIVE-adj- acidlike, eating away gradually; bitterly sarcastic
To corrosive liquid destroyed the marble countertop.
PARIAH-n- an outcast
Social pariahs, although they are often quiet and keep to themselves, can often be some of the smartest students.
STENTORIAN-adj- extremely loud
Every class has a stentorian student, you know, the one who doesn't shut up and will stop at nothing to be heard.
OBVIATE-v- to anticipate and prevent
Vaccinations can obviate the dangers of childhood diseases.
RETROGRESS-v- to move backward, to return to an earlier condition
Students who don't study or do their homework often retrogress instead of making progress

additional words for honors.........

BROWBEAT-v- to bully, to intimidate
If you want to browbeat on of your friends, you could say mean things, treat them poorly, or even spit on them
BRAZEN-adj- insolent, rude
The brazen secretary repeatedly rebuffed all questions the patients had and eventually ignored them altogether.
JUBILATION-n- rejoicing, celebration
The end of year jubilation included silly string, cleaning out of lockers, and LOTS of candy.
REPREHENSIBLE-adj- deserving blame
The student who burned all copies of The Catcher in the Rye was reprehensible and was punished appropriately.
WAGGISH-adj- mischievous
The waggish student was always sllipping in and out of class with a sly grin on his face.

Week of 13 February

2006-02-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

ANYONE WHO HAS NOT GIVEN US A WRITING PIECE YET, PLEASE DO SO OR YOU WILL BE FAILIING WHEN PROGRESS REPORTS COME OUT. WE NEED IT BY THE END OF THE WEEK OR ELSE!

This is a pretty busy week for everyone except for A period~

A PERIOD~ Just your regular vocab assignment, sentences for Wednesday, quiz on Friday. We will be starting memoirs on Friday so get excited!!!

B PERIOD~ Your vocabulary quiz is on Wednesday, NOT FRIDAY! Make sure to have studied and have your sentences ready for this Wed, 15 February. Your BOOK CHATS are due on FRIDAY, if you've lost the handout, reference the earlier post titled 'Book Chat Guidelines.'

D PERIOD~ We are working on methods of characterization this week. We will be spending some time in the library typing up paragraphs on Dominant Impressions. Your vocab quiz on list 6 will be next week, on the Friday before vacation.

F PERIOD~ Dialogue journals are due this Thursday, you need to have two new entries. Vocab quiz on Thursday as well so have your sentences ready.

H PERIOD~ No vocab quiz this week, but you are responsible for the words because they WILL be on the final exam when June comes along. Your book chats should be prepared and ready to go for Thursday's class. BRING FOOOOOOOOD!

Notes on Leads

2006-02-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

ORGANIZATION:

LEADS:

1. Sets Tone
2. Determines content and direction
3. Establishes voice and verb tense
4. (hopefully) engages the reader
5. to the writer- a good lead makes the rest of the piece easier to write and makes you want to write more.

NARRATIVE LEADS

TYPICAL (and BORING!):

It was a day at the end of June. My mom, dad, brother, and I were at our camp on Rangeley Lake. We arrived the night before at 10:00, so it was dark when we got there and unpacked. We went straight to bed. The next morning, when I was eating breakfast, my dad started yelling for me from down at the dock at the top of his lungs. He said there was a car in the lake.

ALTERNATIVE 1: ACTION

I gulped my milk, pushed away from the table, and bolted out of the kitchen, slamming the broken screen door behind me. I ran down to our dock as fast as my legs could carry me. My feet pounded on the old wood, hurrying me toward my dad’s voice. “Scott!” he bellowed again.
“Coming, Dad!” I gasped. I couldn’t see him yet -- just the sails of the boats that had already put out into the lake for the day.

ALTERNATIVE 2: DIALOGUE

“Scott! Get down here on the double!” Dad bellowed. His voice sounded far away.
“Dad?” I hollered. “Where are you?” I squinted through the screen door but couldn’t see him.
“I’m down on the dock. MOVE IT! You’re not going to believe this,” he replied.

ALTERNATIVE 3: THOUGHT!

I couldn’t imagine why my father was hollering for me at 7:00 in the morning. I thought fast about what I might have done to get him so riled. Had he found out about the way I talked to my mother the night before when we got to camp and she asked me to help unpack the car? Did he discover the fishing reel I broke last week? Before I could consider a third possibility, Dad’s voice shattered my thoughts.
“Scott! Move it! You’re not going to believe this!”

ADD-ON FROM 9 FEBRUARY CLASS:

ALTERNATIVE 4: DESCRIPTION

starts with a description of a setting or person. this has the potential to be a good lead if done correctly.

NEWSPAPER LEADS:
who, what, when, where, why, how.

When beginning a story, experiment with different leads. A great lead will GALVANIZE (vocab. word) you and make your writing easier. Choose the lead that YOU like best; your readers will like it, too . . . hopefully.

VOCABULARY 12

2006-02-06T07:54:00.000-08:00

CIRCUMSPECT-ADJ- careful, cautious
HISTRIONIC-ADJ- over-acting, melodramatic, theatrical
DEBILITATE-V- to weaken, to sap the strength of
GESTICULATE-V- to make gestures, especially when speaking
DISMANTLE-V- to take apart
BUCOLIC-ADJ- pastoral, rural, rustic
ENERVATE-V- to weaken or destroy the strength of
EVANESCENT-ADJ- fleeting, gradually disappearing
DIDACTIC-ADJ- instructive, meant to teach
GARNER-V- to collect

and all you honors students can add on the following:

SQUANDER-V- to waster, to use extravagantly
PANDEMIC-ADJ- epidemic over a large region
GRUELING-ADJ- exhausting, difficult
BELLIGERENT-ADJ- war-like, ready to fight
LURID-ADJ- shocking and sensational; glowing through flames

x-tra credit: this differs from class to class depending on which words we assigned

PYE-DOG (MAY ALSO BE SPELLED PI-DOG)
PURULENCE
LIGER
DOGGO
BELLESLETTRES

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO POST THE DEFINITIONS OF EXTRA CREDIT WORDS MAY DO SO.

Methods of Characterization

2006-01-31T05:01:00.000-08:00

Methods of characterization are how an author develops his or her characters into something memorable for the reader

1. Direct Description: when the writer comes right out and tells you information about a character

2. Actions: The actions of the character teaches the readers (and other characters) about the character

3. Speech: What the character says and how they say it gives information to the reader.

4. Thoughts: What's going on inside the character's head reveals information about the character.

5. Reactions of Others: How other characters respond to the character.

6. Relationships: Who the character's friends are.

If you weren't in class, or just forgot to write it down, this is something you may want to print out and put in your notes.

VOCABULARY 10

2006-01-26T05:35:00.000-08:00

HONORS

QUISLING-n-a traitor, someone who betrays his/her country to help an invading enemy
PAINSTAKING-adj-very carefule, attentive
NEFARIOUS-adj-wicked, evil
PRECLUDE-v-to prevent
PROVINCIAL-adj-unsophisticated, countrified
RECCALCITRANT-adj-unmanageable, refusing to follow rules
SYBARITE-n-a person devoted to luxury and pleasure, a hedonist
JUXTAPOSE-v-to place side by side to compare or contrast
FECUND-adj-fertile, productive
GAMESOME-adj-merry, frolicsome
DOLT-n-idiot, stupid person
AGAPE-adj-open-mouthed
IMPECCABLE-adj-perfect, flawless
RESPLENDENT-adj- brilliant, lustrous
PERORATE-v- to lecture or give a sermon

C1

MOROSE-adj-gloomy and bad tempered
PAINSTAKING-adj-very carefule, attentive
NEFARIOUS-adj-wicked, evil
PRECLUDE-v-to prevent
PROVINCIAL-adj-unsophisticated, countrified
RECCALCITRANT-adj-unmanageable, refusing to follow rules
RESCIND-v-to take back, cancel, appeal
JUXTAPOSE-v-to place side by side to compare or contrast
FECUND-adj-fertile, productive
SUBSTANTIATE-v-to support with proof or verify

ex. cred: GAMESOME
QUISLING

Tuesday 24 January

2006-01-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

Alright, so..... hopefully this blog will prove useful to at least some of you. Here's what we have so far:

ALL CLASSES: WE HAVE INTRODUCED THE NEWEST THREE WEEK PROJECT WHICH IS TO DO SOMETHING DIFFICULT. i know, it sounds simple, and it is! THE MORE OF YOU THAT ACTUALLY DO THE PROJECT, THE BETTER IT WILL BE. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CLASS IN THREE WEEKS AND MAKE SOMETHING UP THAT WASN'T ACTUALLY DIFFICULT AT ALL. it doesn't have to be some huge life-changing activity. for example, i have certain OCD tendencies that i would like to work on, and as i start trying to maybe work outside of them, i will keep you updated with a post on this blog. thanks (in advance) for your efforts toward the completion of this project!

A Period: There will be NO QUIZ on Vocabulary 10 but don't forget your sentences. Also very exciting is the book chat that will be Thursday (hence the lack of quiz) Bring lots of snacks, and, of course, your presentation. Just in case it might have slipped you mind, you also have dialogue journals due on Thursday.

B Period: You guys have a lot of work due Thursday and should not even come to class unless you have all of the following:
VOCAB SENTENCES
VOCAB WORDS ALL MEMORIZED IN YOUR HEAD (yes, you have a quiz!)
TWO (2) DIALOGUE JOURNAL ENTRIES

F Period: Vocab sentences are due on Wednesday, Quiz will be on Friday. Your book chat will be held next Thursday if all goes as planned. Also, be working on a new writing piece if you have some time because it will most likely be due at the end of next week.

H Period: Vocabulary sentences are due on Wednesday, quiz is Friday. We will be talking about characterization in the next couple classes and eventually creating characters of our own which, i know, is VERY EXCITING!

I think that's it for now. Any questions, comments, thoughts are welcomed.

Introduction.

2006-01-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

This can be a place for students to communicate about our fabulous English class. Please make sure your posts are appropriate. Thanks.

VOCABULARY 11

2006-01-12T06:10:00.000-08:00