Periods 1, 3, & 6 Word of the Week: Ecumenism

Yesterday, periods 1, 3, and 6 chose ecumenism as their word of the week.

We used www.dictionary.com to look up the word ecumenism, and then we had to follow the link to the definition of ecumenical to really understand these terms.  Based on the two definitions we reviewed, here is our classroom definition of ecumenism:

1. general or universal thinking;

2. a philosophy promoting unity among the whole Christian church.

Next, our classes came up with sentences to use ecumenism, or one of its forms, correctly.  We decided to make sentences using the first definition, rather than the second one.  Here are the sentences we devised:

1. Scientists think ecumenically.

2. Scientists are ecumenical thinkers.

3. To make his choice, the judge thought ecumenically.

4. Psychologists solve people's problems using principles of ecumenism.    

Period 4 Word of the Week: Climacteric

This week, period 4 chose climacteric as its word of the week.  We used www.dictionary.com to look up the word, and here is the definition we found:

1. any critical period,

2. a year in which important changes in health, fortune, etc. occur.

There were also some scientific definition of the word climacteric, but we chose to use the more universally-applicable definitions.

We then devised a sentence using the word climacteric:

The teenage years are the most climacteric period in a person's life.

All Classes - Word of the Week: Vex

On December 14, 2012, all four English 11 classes chose vex as their word of the week.

Vex means:

1. to irritate, annoy, or provoke;
2. to torment, trouble, distress, or plague;
3. to make someone feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters.


Our classes came up with some creative sentences to demonstrate how to use the word vex correctly:

The rumors of the end of the world on 12/21/12 vex us.

Ms. B was vexed by students throwing things in her class.

Getting a lot of homework for the weekend vexes me.

Random noises vex Patrick.

Procure

Period 1 & Period 4 Word of the Week: Lofty

On December 7, period 1 and period 4 chose lofty as their word of the week.

The definition of lofty is:
1. exalted or noble in character or nature
2. of imposing height or extending high in the air
3. haughty or condescending in manner

Our classes created some sentences to demonstrate how to use lofty in context:

Janessa is a person of lofty height.

and

Monks are lofty individuals; they devote their lives to doing good.

All Classes - Word of the Week: Indubitably

All of Ms. B's English classes (periods 1, 3, 4, and 7) chose indubitably as their first "Word of the Week."

The definition of indubitably is "unquestionably," or "unable to be doubted."

Each class came up with at least one sentecne to use the word indubitably correctly.  Here are the sentences we devised:

There will indubitably be drama and ratchetness when you walk through the halls of GHS.

Bill Gates is indubitably a very rich man.

It is indubitably true that third period will be noisy.

The sun will indubitably come up tomorrow.

Great job, everyone! 

Be sure to keep thinking about this word and try to use it in a sentence.  It will be on your next warmup quiz!

Abate

Parfait

Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

Longest Word

Lopado­temacho­selacho­galeo­kranio­leipsano­drim­hypo­trimmato­silphio­parao­melito­katakechy­meno­kichl­epi­kossypho­phatto­perister­alektryon­opte­kephallio­kigklo­peleio­lagoio­siraio­baphe­tragano­pterygon

Indubitably

Welcome, English 11 students

I'm so excited to learn along with all of you and start using our vocabulary blog this school year.

As you read, watch TV, listen to music, travel, work, and use the internet, I hope you will keep track of unfamiliar words and post them here on our blog.  Each week our class will vote on a "word of the week" that we will study and practice.  That will help us all incorporate the new word into our vocabulary.

Periodically, you will be quizzed on the words we've studied in class to see how well you're paying attention.  Our quizzes will help you figure out how many new words you've learned.  You might just impress yourself...

Oh, and by the way, GO TROJANS!

fond

Ms. Bourque has fond memories of her 2nd period students. I miss you guys!!!

Word of the Week: Subsequent

Our word of the week for 3/26/12 to 3/29/12 is subsequent.

The dictionary definition of subsequent is, "coming after something in time, later."

The sentence we created in class to practice the word subsequent is:

Spring break is subsequent to school today. :)

Transient

Overt

Methionylglutaminyl arginyltyrosylglutam yl...serine

Word of the Week: Antidisestablishmentarianism

Our word of the week for 3/19/12 to 3/23/12 is antidisestablishmentarianism.

The dictionary definition of antidisestablishmentarianism is, "opposition to the withdrawal of state support or recognition from an established church, especially the Anglican Church in 19th-century England."

We talked in class about how this word is often used more generally to describe a perspective of opposition to the dissolution of the rules and structure of an established organization.  For instance, just now Ms. Bourque thought of an example:

Antidisestablishmentarianists might believe that state-supported and regulated public schools are a good thing.  They may believe that the complete privatization of education would be a bad move.

The sentence we created in class to practice the word antidisestablishmentarianism is:

Teachers are great examples of antidisestablishmentarianism, in school.

Word of the Week: Haute Couture

Our word of the week for 3/12/12 to 3/16/12 is haute couture.

The blogger who found this word says, "haute couture: page 250 in The Glass Castle.
"if I overheard mention of something I was ignorant about... haute couture...""

The dictionary definition of haute couture is, "refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing."

The sentence we created in class to practice the word haute couture is:

Celebrities often wear haute couture.

Another sentence that was texted to the blog during class was:

The haute couture of that time period was very different from the top fashion we wear today.

Word of the Week: Pensive

Our word of the week for 3/5/12 to 3/9/12 is pensive.

The blogger who found this word says, "It was repeatedly said on a tv show I was watching describing a guy's mood."  The dictionary definition of pensive is, "engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought."

The sentence we created in class to practice the word pensive is:

The student taking the test was pensive. 

Another sentence that was texted to the blog during class was:

The doctor looked pensive as he tried to figure out what was wrong with his patient.