yore

(n) - If something existed in the days of yore, it was around a loooooooooong time ago.

• Synonyms: past, yesteryear, days gone by, good 'ol days
• Antonyms: present, future
• Etymology: Old English, date unknown, from gear which is related to year, which comes from the Greek word hora meaning "year, season"
• Example: I'll bet they didn't have winter vacation in the days of yore!

Yes, they did have string instruments in the days of yore, and new players probably sounded much like our fantastic orchestra students did at yesterday's concert!

ubiquitous

(adj) – Something that is ubiquitous seems to be everywhere. This word is often used in a facetious way.

• Synonyms: all over, everywhere, wall-to-wall, universal
• Antonyms: rare, scarce, hard to find
• Etymology: 1570s Latin, from from ubi meaning "where" + que meaning "any, also, ever" + -ous meaning "having, full of, having to do with"
• Morphology: ubiquity - n
• Example: At this time of year, concerts and holiday programs are ubiquitous.

bolster

(v) – If you bolster something, you improve it or "lift" it. You can bolster someone's feelings or confidence by helping them to feel better and more positive.

• Synonyms: aid, assist, help, boost, strengthen, support
• Antonyms: hinder, obstruct, stymie
• Etymology: Before 1200, from Pre Germanic bolkhstraz, which comes from the PIE root bhelgh- meaning "to swell" (this is where we get the word belly!)
• Example: A helpful friend can really bolster your confidence.

inscribe

(v) - If you inscribe something, you carefully cut, print, or write words on it (for example, the surface of a stone or coin).

• Synonyms: imprint, write, engrave, sign
• Antonyms: say, read
• Etymology: 1550s Latin, from in- meaning "in, into," + scribere meaning "to write in or on" (which is where we get the word "scribble")
• Morphology: scribble - v, describe - v, description - n, subscribe - v, subscription - n, inscription - n
• Example: One of my greatest treasures is a "Night Before Christmas" book that my dad inscribed for me when I was in high school.

furtively

(adv) - If you are acting as if you want to keep something secret, you are behaving furtively.

• Synonyms: secretively, sneakily, clandestine, surreptitiously, stealthy
• Antonyms: honestly, openly, publicly
• Etymology: Late 15th Century Latin, from furtivus meaning "stolen, hidden, secret," which comes from furtum meaning "theft, robbery," which actually comes from furis meaning "thief"
• Morphology: furtive - adj
• Example: Teachers dislike it when students pop their heads out, look furtively down the hall, and alert the rest of the class that, "THE TEACHER IS COMING!"

I have been behaving furtively when people ask me about my family's yearly Christmas card! Can you figure out why?

synthesize

(v) – To synthesize is to make something by combining different things or substances, or to combine separate things into a complete whole.

• Synonyms: combine, make whole, blend, mash up, incorporate, unify
• Antonyms: divide, separate
• Etymology: 1610s Greek, from from syn- meaning "together" + tithenai meaning "put, place”
• Morphology: synthesizer - n
• Example: When you combine what you already knew with what you know now, you are able to synthesize a whole new piece of information. 

Test your skill at synthesizing sounds to make a beautiful (??) melody:

inverse

(n.) - The inverse of something is the exact opposite of another.
(adj.) - An inverse operation, feeling, or procedure is on that is exactly opposite of its counterpart.

• Synonyms: opposite, flip-side, antonym, other, backward
• Antonyms: same
• Origin: 1533 Latin, from in- meaning "in, on" + vertere meaning "to turn"
• Morphology: inversion - n, invert - v
• Example: Addition is the inverse of subtraction.

Test out your ability to follow inverse operations

by finding the Eye of Rom:

woe

(n) - Woe is a way to describe the troubles or issues that someone faces.  If you feel great sadness, you could say that you feel woe.

• Synonyms: anguish, grief, distress, sadness, despair, misery, misfortune
• Antonyms: happiness, joy
• Etymology: 12th Century Old English, from wa which is a common expression of sadness in many languages because of its similarity to the sound of a cry
• Morphology: woeful - adj
• Example: I am trying hard to ignore the sense of woe I feel about turning 40!

Billy Bug will feel woe if he doesn't get his fill of grubs. Can you help?

subtle

(adj) - If something (or someone) is subtle, it is not easy to notice or understand unless you pay careful attention.

• Synonyms: barely noticeable, unobtrusive
• Antonyms: obvious, “in your face,” obtrusive, blatant
• Etymology: 1300 Latin, from subtilis meaning "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven," which comes from sub meaning "under" + -tilis, from tela meaning "web"

Can you spot the subtle differences between two very similar pictures?

coordinate

(v) - To coordinate is to organize people or things so that they will work or go well together;
(n/adj) - A coordinate is one of a set of numbers which give the exact position of a point on a map, grid, etc.

• Synonyms: equal, like; agree, go with, match, mesh
• Antonyms: mismatch, unequal
• Etymology: 1600 Latin, from com- meaning “with” + ordo meaning "order"
• Morphology: coordinated, coordination
• Example: The origami papers you you will choose for your gift coordinate so well with one another that I am sure your families will love them!

Let's test your memory of coordinate pairs:

convene

(v) - If a group of people come together, like for a formal meeting, they convene.

• Synonyms: meet, assemble, come together, gather, rally, unite
• Antonyms: split up, go home
• Etymology: Early 15th Century Latin, from com- meaning "with, together" + venire meaning "to come" (which is where we get the word venue)
• Morphology: convience - n
• Example: Your new inquiry groups will convene today to discuss the project for unit 3.

Before that meeting, our entire class will convene at the front of the room for an Order of Operations review and challenge!

Order of Operations Review

accumulate

(v.) - If something begins to accumulate, there gradually gets to be more and more of it over a period of time.

• Synonyms: build, grow, add to, pile up, expand
• Antonyms: shrink, dwindle, become less
• Etymology: 1490 Latin, from ad- meaning "in addition" + cumulus meaning "heap"
• Morphlogy: accumulation - n, cumulative - adj

Example: "This is Sand" is a fun website, and since you can watch all of that colorful "stuff" accumulate, today it will be educational, too!

flourish

(n) – If you do something with a flourish, you do it with a large confident movement that makes people notice you.
(v) – If you flourish, you grow well and are healthy. Anything that develops well and is successful, like a plant, is considered to flourish.

• Synonyms: grow, bloom, prosper, wave around, flaunt, dance, swirl
• Antonyms: die
• Etymology: 1300 Latin, from florere meaning "to bloom, blossom, flower," which comes from flos meaning "a flower"
• Example: Would you be able to flourish as a millionaire? How about as a pretend millionaire?

Expressions Millionaire

zilch

(n) - If you have nothing, you have zilch.

• Synonyms: zero, zip, nada, nothing, none, hill of beans
• Antonyms: one +, everything, anything
• Etymology: 1966 English (!), from a 1930s comic character named Mr. Zilch in the magazine "Ballyhoo." Zilch is actually a last name in German that probably came from a nonsense word that came to mean "nothing."
• Example: I wanted to win the Powerball last week, but since I didn't even bother to buy a ticket, I ended up with zilch.

Remember the game of SKUNK? Go ahead - take a risk!

Beware! If a zero is rolled, your score will be ZILCH!

vary

(v) - If two (or more) things of the same type vary, they are all different from each other.

• Synonyms: differ, change, disagree, range
• Antonyms: remain, stay, equal
• Etymology: Mid 14th-Century Latin, from varius meaning "different, spotted"
• Morphology: variable - adj, n; variation - n; varied - v, adj
• Example: Becuase we all come from a different heritage, our holiday traditions will vary from house to house.

The experiences we have in our new reading unit will vary from the others we have had. Let's go on a virtual field trip to see how:

commence

(v.) – When you begin or start something, you commence with it.

• Synonyms: begin, start, launch, kick off, “get the show on the road”
• Antonyms: culminate, end, finish, cease, stop
• Etymology: Early 14th Century Latin, from com- "together" + in- meaning "into, in" + -ire meaning "to go"
• Morphology: commencement - noun
• Example: I am sure that Ms. Hofstad is ready for her actual teaching career to commence!

serenity

(n) - Serenity is a state of calm or peacefulness.

• Synonyms: peacefulness, calmness, quietness, tranquility
• Antonyms: agitation, excitement, noise
• Etymology:1530s Latin, from serenus meaning "clearness, serenity," and having to do with weather
• Morphology: serene - adj
• Example: A snowy, quiet day with nothing to do can bring some people a feeling of serenity.

Let's have some serenity now:

stamina

(n) - Stamina is physical or mental strength that allows you to continue doing something for a long time without getting tired.

• Synonyms: strength, endurance, "stick-to-it-iveness," tolerance
• Antonyms: laziness, weakness
• Etymology:1670s Latin, from stamina meaning "threads." The current meaning of "power to resist or recover, strength, endurance" was first recorded in 1726.
• Example: The more you read, the more you want to read... this is proof that you have to build up stamina for reading!

Let's see if you have the stamina to read for 5 minutes straight - without looking up at this cool timer!

manipulate

(v) - If you manipulate an object, you use skill in moving or handling it. You can manipulate another person by making them think and behave exactly as you want them to, or by skilfully deceiving or influencing them.

• Synonyms: move, maneuver, shape, manage, influence
• Antonyms: leave alone, ignore
• Etymology:1827 Latin, from manus meaning "hand" (as in manual) + plere meaning "to fill" + verb-forming suffix -ate
• Morphology: manual, manipulation, man, mangle, maneuver
• Example: You may have to collaborate with our guest, Mr. Warner, so that he will be able to manipulate Elmo and the projector.

Can you manipulate this man using only the Q, W, O, and P keys?

inflection

(n) - If a word inflects, its form changes according to its meaning or use. So, an inflection can be the way the sound of your voice goes up and down when you are speaking. It can also be the way in which a word changes its form to show a difference in its meaning or use (like when you a suffix such as -s, -es, -ed, or -ing).

• Synonyms: accent, intonation, pitch, change, variation, morphology
• Antonyms: monotone
• Etymology: Early 15th Century Latin, from in- meaing "in" + flectere meaning "to bend" (as in flexible)
• Morphology: inflected, inflect
• Example: How can your voice inflection change the meaning of a sentence?

Here is a great game to help us learn about Order of Operations math today (notice the inflection...):

juncture

(n) - A juncture is a particular point in an activity or period of time.

• Synonyms: turning point, crossroads, instant, moment, occasion, point in time, 
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from iungere (notice the spelling!) meaning "to join" (which is also where we get the word jugular!)
• Morphology: junction - n
• Example: At this juncture, we will be taking a short break. What do you plan to do over the long weekend?

commerce

(n) - Commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services.

• Synonyms: business, economics, industry, merchandising, retail
• Etymology: 1530s Latin, from com- "together" + mercis meaning "merchandise" 
• Morphology: commercial - n, adj
• Example: What are some examples of commerce that you learned about with Junior Achievement last week?

discern

(v) – If you are able to discern something, you can understand or recognize it.

• Synonyms: notice, observe, perceive, detect, figure out
• Antonyms: ignore, neglect, overlook
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from dis- meaning "off, away" + cernere meaning "distinguish, separate, sift" (which is also where we get the word crisis)
• Morphology: discernment – n, discernable – adj, discerning – v or adj
• Example: Watch the video below. Can you discern the meaning of the word "discern" from this film?

• Here's another example: If you look closely at one of Bev Doolittle’s paintings, you are able to discern the different animals in her design.

  Bev Doolittle

acquire

(v) - If you acquire something, you get it, either by buying it or having it be given to you.

• Synonyms: get, receive, earn, achieve, gain, gather, win, find
• Antonyms: lose, give up, surrender
• Etymology: Mid 15th Century Latin, from ad- meaning "extra" + quaerere meaning "to seek to get"
• Morphology: acquisition - n
• Example: Have you made your Christmas list yet? What are some things you hope to acquire?

facetious

(adj.) - If you are being facetious, you are saying (or implying) things in a cleverly amusing tone.

• Synonyms: amusing, joking, kidding, sarcastic, witty
• Antonyms: serious, mature, thoughtful, morose, wise
• Etymology: 1590s Latin, from facetus meaning "witty, elegant, fine, courteous," which may have actually come from the word facis meaning "torch."
• Example: What is the meaning of this rather facetious photograph?

portray

(v) - To portray someone (or something) is to describe or show them (or it) in a particular way, according to your opinion of them. Actors who play the part of a character in a play, film, or television program portray that character.

• Synonyms: represent, imitate, act like, characterize, impersonate, simulate
• Antonyms: misrepresent
• Etymology: 1300 Latin, from por- meaning "forward, forth" (which is related to pro) + traire meaning "trace, draw," which comes from trahere meaning "to drag, draw"
• Morphology: portrayal - n
• Example: Who would you choose to portray you in a movie about your life?

locale

(n) - A locale is the place where something happens or where the action takes place in a book or a film.

• Synonyms: setting, background, hang-out, spot, area, place
•  Etymology: 1772 Latin, from locus meaning "place"
• Morphology: local, locate, location
• Example:  The locale for today's Junior Achievement lesson is Room 1, Burlington!

stimulate

(v) - If you stimulate something, you encourage or help it to begin or develop further.

• Synonyms: excite, activate, fire up, energize, egg on
• Antonyms: calm, discourage, depress
• Etymology: 1610s Latin, from stimulus meaning "spur, goad," which actually comes from PIE *sti- meaning "point, prick, pierce"
• Morphology:  stimulus - n, stimulation - n
• Example: "I hope that my work will encourage self expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the great world around us." -A.A.

figurative

(adj) - A figurative word or phrase is used in a different way from its usual meaning, to give you a particular idea or picture in your mind.

• Synonyms: connotative, symbolic, metaphorical, representative, illustrative, descriptive
• Antonyms: denotative, literal, real, exact, precise
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from figura meaning "a shape, form, figure," which originally comes from the PIE word *dheigh- meaning "to form, build"
• Morphology: figure - v
• Example: In the figurative sense, we are a family and you are all my children.

literal

(adj) - The literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning.

• Synonyms: denotative, word for word, exact, real, actual
• Antonyms: imaginative, connotative
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from litera meaning "letter, alphabetic sign; literature, books" (which is also where we get the word letter)
• Morphology: literacy - n, literary - adj, literate - adj, literature - n
• Example: The literal translation of this Latin word is "letter!"

emit

(v) - To emit means to send something out, such as sound, heat, light, energy, etc.

• Synonyms: send out, exude, shoot, radiate, gush, exhale, spill
• Antonyms: contain, hold in, hide
• Etymology: 1620s Latin, from ex- meaning "out"+ mittere meaning "to send"
• Morphology: emission - n, emissary - n
• Example: I like to use lamps in the classroom because they emit more peaceful light.

implement

(v) - If you implement something, you take action or make changes that you have officially decided should happen.
*This word can also be used as a noun. An implement is a piece of machinery, typically used for farming or ranching.

• Synonyms: put into place, carry out, accomplish, just do it
• Antonyms: finish, stop, ignore
• Etymology: 1806 Latin, from in- "into, in, on" + plere meaning "to fill"
• Morphology: implementation - n
• Example: When I first decided to implement Word of the Day, we didn't even use journals! We only talked about the word and cheered.

Want to see my very first blog?

It was implemented on Monday, September 29, 2008!

sustain

(v) - If you make something sustain, you make it continue to exist or happen for a period of time. If you sustain an injury, you become hurt.  If food or drink sustains a person, animal, or plant, it makes them able to continue living.

• Synonyms: keep up, maintain, carry, save, preserve, uphold
• Antonyms: discontinue, halt, stop 
• Etymology: Late 13th Century, from sub meaning "up from below, under" + tenere meaning "to hold"
• Morphology: sustainable - adj, sustenance - n
• Example: A very good singer can sustain a single note for very long time.

denote

(v) - The definition of denote is to mean or represent something. If you denote something, you directly make it known or make it plain.

• Synonyms: designate, mean, indicate, express, represent, symbolize
• Antonyms: hint at
• Etymology: 1590s Latin, from de- meaning "completely" + notare meaning "to mark"
• Morphology: denotation - n, denotative - adj
• Example: The little star on your map denotes a capital city.

Remember:

Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. 

Connotation is the suggested or implied meaning of a word.

Ready? Get out your clickers!

macabre

(adj) - Something that is macabre is shockingly unpleasant and horrific, and usually connected with death or with people being seriously hurt.

• Synonyms: eerie, deathlike, dreadful, frightening, grim, spooky
• Antonyms: living, normal, pleasant
• Etymology: Early 15th Century French, from Danse Macabré meaning "dance of Death." The word macabre most likely came from the Latin name Machabæorum, which was the last name given to Judas, third son of Mattathias the Hasmonean, who was the leader of the religious revolt against Antiochus IV, 175-166 B.C.
• Example: Some people feel that Halloween is a bit of a macabre celebration, so they dress up in eerie or spooky costumes. For me, today is all about the candy!

The song Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) was composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1874, and it is still used in eerie films today!

keen

(adj) - Something that is keen is very sharp. For example, a keen sense of smell is an extremely good ability to smell. A person with a keen sense of humor has a very sharp and witty talent when it comes to "funny stuff."

This word can also be used to describe something that you think is "awesome." This is more of a British term, but it was commonly used by teenagers in the US during the 1950s and 60s.

*This word can also be used as a verb, meaning "to sharpen."

• Synonyms: sharp, acute, clever, quick
• Antonyms: ignorant, stupid, dull 
• Etymology: 1200 Old English, from cēne  meaning "bold brave," and later "clever, wise." This comes from Proto Germanic word *kan- meaning "be able to" (which is where we get the word can)
• Morphology: keenly - adv
• Example: An owl has keen senses of sight and hearing.

Today, Emma shows us more keen examples:

excursion

(n) - An excursion is a short journey made with a particular purpose in mind.

• Synonyms: journey, trip, expedition, outing
• Antonyms: stay home!
• Etymology: 1574 Latin, from from ex- meaning "out" + currere meaning "to run" (as in current)
• Example: I'm excited to discuss our excursion to the Alberta Bair Theater last Friday. 

The play Great Mountain was based on the Native American Folktale, The Story of Jumping Mouse. Let's take a virtual excursion into Jumping Mouse's illustrated land.

lingo

(n) - Lingo is a "language" that is used only by a particular group of people, or during a certain period of time.

• Synonyms: jargon, slang, speech, verbiage, terminology, vocabulary
• Antonyms: standard
• Etymology: 1650s Latin, from lingua meaning "tongue"
• Morphology: linguistic - adj
• Example: A team of doctors and nurses would use different lingo than a group of lumberjacks.

How well do you know your math lingo?

Click here or on the image below to try out some common 5th grade lingo!

exude

(v) - Something that exudes flows out slowly and steadily, like a steady leak. This could literally be liquid, or it could be more of a figurative connotation. For example, if you exude a particular quality, it is easy to see that you have a lot of it, because it practically oozes out of you.

• Synonyms: bleed, leak, ooze, radiate, sweat, trickle out, seep
• Antonyms: hide, conceal, trap
• Etymology: 1570s Latin, from ex- meaning "out" + sudare meaning "to sweat"
• Example: Dylan N. is a happy-go-lucky guy who exudes confidence.

gregarious

(adj) - Someone who is gregarious is friendly, outgoing, and social, and prefers to be around other people.

• Synonyms: fun, social, friendly, outgoing, sociable
• Antonyms: introverted, shy, unfriendly, quiet
• Etymology: 1660s Latin, from grex meaning "flock, herd," from (and plus!) PIE root *ger- meaning "to gather together, assemble" + adjective-forming suffix -ous
• Example: Camryn is one gregarious 5th grade girl!

connotation

(n) - A connotation is the inferred meaning of a word. When thinking of the "meaning of a word," a connotation is a quality or an idea that is more than just its basic meaning.

• Synonyms: association, implication, hint, suggestion
• Antonyms: definition
• Etymology: 1530s Latin, from com- meaning "together" + notare meaning "to mark" (which is where we get the word note) + the noun-forming suffix -tion
• Morphology: connotative - adj
• Example: Even though the words thin, slim, and bony are all synonyms, "bony" has a negative connotation.

Words are incredible!

Click here or on the image below to see some more examples:

nonchalant

(adj.) - Someone who is nonchalant is behaving calmly and does not seem interested in or worried about anything.

• Synonyms: easy going, laid back, calm, casual, untroubled, without a care
• Antonyms: caring, jumpy, nervous, anxious
• Etymology: 1734 French, from Fr. nonchaloir meaning "be indifferent to, have no concern for;” originally from 1300s Latin, from non- "not" + French chaloir meaning "have concern for," ultimately from Latin calere "be hot" (as in calorie)
• Morphology: nonchalance - n
• Example: If we are nonchalant when it comes to protecting Earth, then our resources will continue to become more scarce.

Click here or on the image below to adventure with the Green Squad, a special group of friends who are anything but nonchalant when it comes to taking care of our planet!

contemplate

(v.) - If you think about something that you might do in the future, or think about something seriously for a period of time, you are contemplating.

• Synonyms: consider, think about, reflect on, take in, study
• Antonyms: disregard, forget, ignore
• Etymology: early 1200s Latin, from com- meaning “with” + templum meaning “temple”
• Morphology: noun - contemplation, adjective - contemplative
• Example: I don't even want to contemplate what will happen if we slowly allow more animal species to become extinct!

Now that you have had a day to contemplate all of the things that Mr. McCall taught us about green building yesterday, can you think of any more questions you would like to ask him?

Let's contemplate the status of some of the world's endangered species.

Click here or on the image below to go to the site.

scarce

(adj) - If something is scarce, there is not very much of it available. You can make yourself scarce by leaving a place, especially in order to avoid an unpleasant situation.

• Synonyms: not enough, insufficient, in short supply, limited, almost out, scanty, sparse, few and far between
• Antonyms: plentiful, abundant, sufficient
• Etymology: 1300 Latin, from excarpere meaning "pluck out." This comes from ex- meaning "out"+ carpere meaning "pluck, gather," which comes from PIE *kerp- meaning "to gather, pluck, harvest"
• Morphology: scarcely - adv, scarcity - n
• Example: If we don't take steps to conserve, our natural resources will become more and more scarce.

erode

(v) - If something is constantly being used or worn, it will eventually wear away or erode. For example, you could gradually reduce something such as someone's power or confidence. Also, if the weather erodes rock or soil, or if rock or soil erodes, its surface is gradually destroyed.

• Synonyms: deteriorate, wear away, crumble, disintegrate, waste away
• Antonyms: grow, build, fix
• Etymology: 1610s Latin, from ex- meaing "away"+ rodere meaning "gnaw" (as in rodent)
• Morphology: erosion - n
• Example: Today at the NILE, we will get to see how weather and water causes Montana land to erode.

Click here or on the image below to see how Mother Nature causes Earth to erode.

resume

(v) – If you start something again after stopping or being interrupted, you resume it.

also…

(n) - A resume is a short written account of your education and your previous jobs that you send to an employer when you are looking for a new job.

• Synonyms: continue, begin again, restart, go on
• Antonyms: finish, stop, end
• Etymology: 1400 Latin, from re- meaning "again" + sumere meaning "take up, start"
• Example: We will resume our map project again on Monday.

misnomer

(n) - A misnomer is a wrong or unsuitable name for something.

• Synonyms: wrong name
• Antonyms: fitting name
• Etymology: Mid 15th Century Latin, from mis- meaning "wrongly" + nomer meaning "to name"
• Example: Leave it to Andon to figure out that the term 'football' is a misnomer, since it's mostly done with your hands, and the ball is not shaped like any other ball there is!

ratio

(n) - A ratio is a relationship between two amounts, represented by a pair of numbers (for example 2:1 or 2/1) showing how much bigger one amount is than the other.

• Synonyms: proportion, relationship, correlation, scale
• Antonyms: whole
• Etymology: 1630s Latin, from ratio meaning "reason," from rat- meaning "think"
• Morphology: ration - v, n; rational - adj
• Example: The ratio of teachers to students at our school is about 22:1.

Click here or on the image below to try our your knowledge of ratios!

epitome

(n) - The epitome is the perfect or best possible example of something.

• Synonyms: core, model, example, ultimate, representation
• Antonyms: non-example
• Etymolgoy: 1520s Greek, from epitemnein meaning "cut short," which comes from epi- meaning "into" + temnein meaning "to cut."
• Morphology: epitomize - verb
• Example: Lead 21 is the epitome of cool! It is not just a great Reading program, but it is also a good example of how teachers and students can use technology in the classroom!

Click here or on the image below to play a cool game from Lead 21:

distort

(v) - If you distort something, you change the appearance, sound, or shape of it so that it is strange or unclear.

• Synonyms: deform, bend, twist, mangle, ruin
• Antonyms: beautify, straighten, improve
• Etymology:1580s Latin, from dis- meaning "not, away from" + torquere meaning "to twist
• Morphology: distortion - n, distorted - adj, v
• Example: Map distortion occurs when you try to take a 3-dimensional surface and turn it into a 2-dimensional representation.

Why would anyone distort these adorable frog bodies?!

Click here or on the image below to find out!

generate

(v) – If you produce or cause something, you generate it.

• Synonyms: produce, create, cause, make
• Antonyms: break, destroy
• Etymology: 1500 Latin, from genus meaning "family, birth, descent, origin"
• Morpholoy: generation - n, general - adj
• Example: Engineers can use water, wind, the sun, fossil fuels, and many other resources to generate electricity.

conserve

(v) – If you try to conserve something, you work to protect it and to prevent it from changing or being damaged.

• Synonyms: go easy on, keep, maintain, save, preserve, take care of, use wisely, protect
• Antonyms: destroy, neglect, squander, use, waste
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from com- meaning “with” + servare meaning "keep watch, maintain"
• Morphology: conservation, conservative
• Example: I hope that when the time comes, you are able to conserve your Halloween candy. You just never know when you’re going to need a tasty treat!

We always hear about how important it is to conserve energy... 

can you help Lolly do it? 

Click here or on the image below to play the game!

Why is it such a big deal that we try to conserve energy?

alternative

(adj.) - Something that is alternative is different from what is usual, traditional, or expected.
*This word can also be used as a noun.

• Synonyms: another, substitute, different
• Antonyms: the same, identical
• Etymology: Late 14th Century, from the P.I.E. root al- meaning "beyond" + suffix –ter (as in other)
• Morphology: alternate, alter
• Example: You will have the opportunity to practice some alternative algorithms for division, just like you have done with multiplication.

Solar power is one type of alternative energy. Check it out with this cool game!

incinerate

(v.) - If you incinerate something, you burn it to the point that you reduce it to ashes in order to destroy it.

• Synonyms: burn, char, barbeque, scorch
• Etymology: 1550s, Greek and Latin, from the Latin prefix in- meaning "into" + cineris meaning "ashes," which comes from the Greek word konis meaning "dust"
• Morphology: incineration - n, incinerator - n, incendiary - adj
• Example: What to do with all that garbage sitting at the dump? Why not incinerate it!

deviate

(v.) - To deviate is to to change what you are doing so that you are not following an expected plan, idea, or type of behavior. When you deviate from something, you stray away from the normal path of it.

• Synonyms: differ, drift, vary, stray, turn
• Antonyms: keep, stay
• Etymology: 1630s Latin, from phrase de via, from de meaning "off" + via meaning "way"
• Morphology: deviation - n, deviant - adj
• Example: This week, we will deviate from our normal reading routine in order to wrap up our first unit.

Which of these words deviate from the meaning at the bottom?

Click here or on the image below to test your vocabulary!

standards

(n) - Standards are levels that are considered to be acceptable, or the levels that someone or something has achieved.

• Synonyms: principles, benchmarks, ideals, models, examples
• Etymology: Mid 12th-Century, probably from the Frankish word *standhard, which literally means "stand fast or firm," a compound word from standan meaning "to stand" + hardus meaning "hard." This word got its name because a flag was fixed to a pole or spear and stuck in the ground to stand firmly upright. The meaning for this word as "a rule, principal or means of judgment" comes from the 1560s.
• Example: I have high standards when it comes to your learning and behaviors, otherwise you would not be in this class!

Did you know that we have standards for math?

Want to know what they are?

abrupt

(adj) - If something is abrupt, it is sudden and unexpected. If a person is abrupt, they probably seem rude and unfriendly, especially because they do not waste time in friendly conversation.

• Synonyms: direct, blunt, short, snappy, sudden
• Antonyms: gentle, calm, kind
• Etymology: 16th Century Latin, from ab- meaning "off" + rumpere meaning "break" (as in rupture)
• Morphology: adv - abruptly
• Example: A fire drill could cause our learning to come to an abrupt halt.

menacing

(adj.) - Something menacing is unpleasant, threatening, and scary. If the sky is menacing, you can see there is going to be a storm. If someone's look is menacing, you know they are about to do something horrible.

• Synonyms: threatening, intimidating, frightening, looming
• Antonyms: unthreatening, pleasant
• Etymology: 1300 Latin, from minæ meaning "threats, projecting points"
• Morphology: noun = menace
• Example: Rescue Josh McGuire, pg 79 - "He had to crawl into the menacing black space."

And now presenting...

Menacing Molly!

taboo

(n) - If you commit a taboo, you do somthing that other people consider to be wrong.
(adj) - Something that is considered taboo is bad and is just not done.

• Synonyms: not allowed, forbidden, wrong, off-limits
• Antonyms: ok, acceptable, allowed
• Etymology: 1777 English, this word was first recorded in Captain James Cook's "A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean," meaning "forbidden, unclean or cursed." This word is explained in some English sources as being from the Tongan (Polynesian language of the island of Tonga) word ta-bu meaning "sacred," which comes from ta meaning "mark" + bu meaning "especially."

• Example: A taboo subject, word, or activity is one that people avoid because it may be offensive or embarrassing.

Have you ever played the game Taboo?

 The objective of the game is for you to have a partner guess the word on the card without using the taboo word itself or without saying the five other words listed on the card!

Click here or on the image below to try it!

reputation

(n) - A reputation is the opinion that people have about someone or something because of what has happened in the past.

• Synonyms: fame, honor, influence, position, regard, character
• Antonyms: disregard
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from re- meaning "again" + putare meaning "to reckon, consider"
• Morphology: repute, reputable
• Example: Spiders, like the one Emma found in her yard, have a reputation for being scary killers... 

vigor

(n) – Vigor is physical or mental energy and determination.

• Synonyms: power, energy, bounce, get-up-and-go, liveliness, strength
• Antonyms: weakness, inactivity, laziness
• Etymology: 1300 PIE , from *wog- or *weg- meaning “be lively or active"
• Morphology: vigorous
• Example: Recess always seems to bring out the vigor in kids…ok, and maybe grown-ups, too.

This 1936 Popeye cartoon is called Vim, Vigor, and Vitaliky.

Can you guess why?
Explain the title of this cartoon.

Don't forget to use today's word!

intricate

(adj) - Something intricate contains many small parts or details that all work or fit together.

• Synonyms: complicated, detailed, elaborate
• Antonyms: simple, understandable, easy
• Etymology: Late 15th Century Latin, from in- meaning "in" + tricæ meaning "toys, tricks"
• Morphology: intricacy
• Example: If you look at a road map, you will see many more intricate details about places in our country than if you look at a physical map.

The human brain is an incredibly intricate piece of machinery! Look at these images to see what I mean...

 

incredulous

(adj.) - If you are unable or unwilling to believe something, you are probably incredulous about it.
*incredible means 'unbelievable' and incredulous means 'unbelieving'

• Synonyms: disbelieving, distrustful, doubtful, doubting, mistrustful, questioning, suspicious, uncertain, unconvinced, wary
• Antonyms: believing, convinced
• Etymology: 1570s, from Latin, from in- meaning "not" + credere meaning "to believe"
• Morphology: incredible, incredulity
• Example: The results of some science experiments may cause you to be incredulous.