vague

(adj.) - Something that is vague is unclear because someone does not give enough detailed information or does not say exactly what they mean.

• Synonyms: unclear, hazy, confusing
• Antonyms: clear, sure, definite
• Etymology: 1548 Latin, from vagus meaning "wandering, rambling"
• Example: Be careful not to use vague pronouns when starting your sentences or I might not know to whom you are referring when you describe the thing with the guy at the place!

inquiry

(n.) - An inquiry is a single question that leads to extensive investigation.

• Synonyms: question, check, anaylsis, examination, exploration, investigation, research
• Antonyms: answer, reply
• Etymology: Mid 15th Century Latin, from enquere, which was actually respelled as inquaerere in the mid-16th Century to conform to Latin. This word comes from in- meaning "into" + quaerere meaning "ask, seek" (which is where we get the word query) "
• Morphology: v - inquire, n - query
• Example: Your inquiry groups will be your chance to collaborate from people outside of your differentiated groups to investigate a topic or question of your choice!

What is an inquiry project, you ask? Watch this cool video to see how a group of learners went on an investigation to find out that very thing!

What is your idea about what an inquiry project might be in reading?

conjecture

(n.) - (n.) - A conjecture is an idea or opinion formed by guessing when you don't have very much information to go on.
*This word can also be used as a verb.

• Synonyms: speculation, prediction, guess, inference, hypothesis, opinion, theory, assumption
• Antonyms: fact, proof, reality, truth
• Etymology: Late 14th Century Latin, from coniectura meaning "a casting together (of facts, etc.)," from conicere meaning "to throw together," which comes from com- meaning "with, together" + iacere meaning "to throw" (which is also where we get the word jet)

Examine the image below to see how your conjectures will be a key part of the Inquiry process in reading this year:

differentiate

(v.) - To differentiate is to recognize or express the difference between things or people.

• Synonyms: individualize, tell apart, separate, distinguish between
• Antonyms: associate, connect, group, link
• Etymology: 1876 Latin, from differre meaning "to set apart;" originally a mathematical term meaning "discriminate between"
• Morphology: difference, different
• Example: Today we will break into our differentiated groups for reading.

One of the things we will learn to do in reading this year is differentiate between words with similar Latin and Greek roots. Click here or on the image below to give it a try:

How will being in differentiated reading and math groups help you learn more this year?

heritage

(n) – Heritage is a person’s (or group’s) background or tradition; the traditional beliefs, values, customs etc of a family, country, or society.

• Synonyms: ancestry, culture, custom, legacy, tradition, past
• Etymology: Early 13th Century Latin, from heredis meaning "heir,” which originally comes from the Greek word khera meaning "widow"
• Morphology: n - heir
• Example: This week, we will start reading about how your heritage makes you who you are.

Let's take a virtual field trip to a city whose citizens are celebrating with a Heritage Festival!

What is your heritage?

clandestine

(adj.) - Something that is clandestine is done in secret.

• Synonyms: secret, sly, hush-hush, sneaky
• Antonyms: out in the open, truthful
• Etymology: 1560s Latin, from clandestinus meaning "secret, hidden," which comes from clam meaning "secretly," which actually comes from the base of celare meaning "to hide" (this is where we get the word cell).
• Example: Our class handshake will be a clandestine maneuver - shhhhh!

SHHHH!!! Remember to keep these moves clandestine!

1. 5 - 0
2. Clasp & Bump
3. Clap Happy
4. Over Under
5. Slide, Bump, Poof

philology

(n.) - Philology is the study of words and of the way words and languages develop

• Synonyms: linguistics, science of language
• Etymology: 1716 Greek, from philo- "loving" + logos "word, speech."

Where do you think you will see or hear some of our words so that you can become an expert in philology?

collaborate

(v.) – to work with a person or group in order to achieve something

• Synonyms: work together, cooperate, join forces, team up
• Antonyms: work alone, disagree, argue
• Etymology: 1871 Latin, from com- meaning "with" + labore meaning "to work"
• Forms: Noun – collaboration, collaborator / Adj. – collaborative / Adv. – collaboratively

We will have many, many opportunities to collaborate this year - starting today!