TEACHER S GUIDE - Word Web Vocabulary

Volume 1 TEACHER'S GUIDE 

TEACHER S GUIDE 

dandelion

What’s In a 

Product Name? 

ELEMENTS of WORD WEB 

and their symbols 

Awesome Application: A word in another language showing a commonality of roots 

Bonus Blast: A long word composed of many word parts, such as lithonephrotomy 

(litho/nephr/otomy) 

Cool Connection: A word not usually recognized as being related to a particular word stem 

Delve Deeper: An indication of words or subjects that can be explored further to obtain either more 

information or a graphic 

Featured Fact: Instead of just an illustrative sentence, a real fact 

Idiom: A speech form or expression that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its 

elements, as in “couch potato” 

Literary Link: A quotation that shows an application of a word 

Periodical Pearl: An example of a word found in a headline or subhead in a newspaper, magazine, 

journal or catalog - any form of periodical literature 

Real World Word: One of many words, usually in a sequence, that relates to our visual world, including 

acronyms; sports team names; car, van and truck names; foreign words in common English usage; 

architectural terms; idioms; colors and patterns; cooking and food terms; election-related words 

Root-and-Branch Week: An entire week devoted to one megaword and its many ramifications 

Super Sentence: Sentence containing several of the year’s words combined in a sensible and creative 

manner 

Teaching Tip: For students, a warning about tricky spelling or pronunciation; for teachers, a teachimg 

tip or a reminder to monitor student’s participation 

Think Link: A question that encourages and challenges students to think creatively; may be used as 

a springboard for classroom discussions or left for students to work out on their own 

Wicked Word of the Week: One of many words that are interesting, useful and fun to learn 

What’s In a (Product) Name?: The connection between word stems and commercial products

Published by: 

Teacher’s Guide, Volume I 

by Elinor Miller, M.Ed. 

“Language is the dress of thought.” 

Samuel Johnson

Word Web Vocabulary, subsidiary of 

Sage Education Enterprises, Inc. 

Box 437 

Cummaquid, MA 02637 

www.seepub.com 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elinor Miller was a classroom teacher for more than twenty years before 

she founded The Banner School, a private nondenominational elementary and middle school, 

in Frederick, Maryland. As a curriculum specialist, she was responsible for the school’s receiving 

many grants and statewide recognition for its interdisciplinary curriculum and its social studies 

and science programs. Among her successful and effective programs at The Banner School, Elinor 

built the foundation for Word Web Vocabulary. In each volume, Elinor demonstrates her knowledge 

of wildlife, as well as her love for the varied terms she has designated as Real World Words. 

She is also a freelance writer whose materials on education, parenting and birdwatching appear in 

numerous publications. 

Copyright © 1997 by Elinor Miller, M.Ed. 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any 

means - graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information 

storage and retrieval systems - without permission of the publisher. 

Designed by Elinor Miller 

Manufactured in the United States of America 

Word Web Vocabulary, its author, and any development sub-contractor do not claim any ownership 

interest in any trademarks used in this publication except Word Web Vocabulary. 

ISBN: 1-69 29 27-00-4

Dear Language Arts Teacher: 

We, the designers of Word Web Vocabulary, are pleased that you will be using 

our program. You will quickly realize that Word Web is not a new subject to be added to an already filled 

curriculum but instead is the catalyst that will integrate and reinforce the contents of your Language Arts 

curriculum from the elements of style, mechanics, spelling, grammar, figures of speech and research to the 

correlation of words and concepts to literature — regardless of the grade level(s) of your students. In addition, 

we believe Word Web will excite you and your students through its many graphics, special features and connections 

to the “real world.” 

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTENTS 

Six lessons comprise a chapter, the first five of which introduce new words, while the sixth is a review. Each 

lesson lasts one week. Therefore, the six chapters in each volume cover thirty-six weeks, the length of most 

school years. The words related to a root or affix are at multiple levels and are coded. You and each student (and 

perhaps the student’s parents) decide the level at which he or she should work. The inside front cover of each 

book explains symbols used throughout the volume. 

MANAGING EACH LESSON (see flow chart that follows) 

At the start of the week and before students open their workbooks, display the upcoming prefix, root or suffix on 

the blackboard. Elicit words from your students that are related to this word stem; write them on the board. Then 

have students turn to their books to see how many words they already connect to the word stem. Allow time for 

students to peruse the words that are defined and to add any new words to the web. 

On the second day, clarify and elaborate more fully on the week’s word stem; then introduce and discuss the Real 

World Word. Confer about Think Link and Periodical Pearl suggestions. Allocate whatever time you can for 

sentence writing. Walk around the room to look over work in progress, making comments and marking any errors 

you find (see “Correcting and Grading Students’ Work” below). On the third day, repeat the process with the 

Wicked Word of the Week; and on the fourth day, introduce the science or social studies word. 

Regarding the latter, every subject in the school curriculum has its own vocabulary and therefore speaks its own 

language. Unless you are managing a completely self-contained classroom, maintain regular contact with content 

area specialists in science and social studies, so that you can provide lexical support for their topics, which in 

Word Web Vocabulary is the fourth word of the week. Students enter these words into their workbooks in the 

space provided and utilize them in their sentence writing. (If the science and social studies teachers are unable to 

provide you with relevant words, Sage Education Enterprises has a supplement of annotated science and social 

studies words.) 

Starting with lesson 7, you will find spelling words for all grade levels that are frequent “demons.” Students 

should incorporate these words into their writing, and you may decide to dictate sentences that contain these 

words as part of the chapter review. On the fifth day review all the week’s words; elicit sentences from students, 

especially Super Sentences; ask for research and Periodical Pearl discoveries; discuss Think Links; monitor sentence 

writing. 

Designate class time during the review lesson at the end of each chapter for the correcting and finishing of 

sentences and answers to Think Links. 

i

STRUCTURING SENTENCE WRITING 

At the year’s outset, indicate the number of sentences you want your students to write for each word according to 

their abilities and previous experience with Word Web Vocabulary. Generally, first graders, during the first half of 

the year, construct sentences orally with the teacher who then writes them on the board. As students gain 

proficiency in writing, they copy these into their workbooks. Most first graders can begin independent sentence 

writing during the second half of the year. In second grade, most students are able to write two sentences from 

their choice of the week's word web; in third grade, three sentences; and in fourth through twelfth, four sentences. 

Students also write sentences for each Real World Word and Wicked Word of the Week. 

Require students to incorporate words from previous weeks in the current week's sentences, as this type of 

continuous review is one of the key reasons why students will learn these words. When writing their sentences, 

students should use various forms of each word. For example, if "aud-," meaning to hear, were the root, 

then students would construct sentences using audible, inaudible, audience, auditory, etc. This basic etymology 

will teach students how to decode unknown words. For Wicked Words, they should use verbs in different tenses, 

or utilize a noun form, adjective or adverb. You can best decide whether the answers to Think Links count toward 

the number of required sentences. As the school year progresses, you may be able to increase the number of 

sentences you expect your students to write. 

Set aside some time in class for sentence writing and assign some as homework. Older students who have never 

been required to do much writing previously may balk at writing vocabulary sentences. You know, however, that 

this provision is essential for many reasons that reach beyond the learning of vocabulary words. It is discipline, as 

well as an on-going opportunity to apply all skills learned in other language arts lessons (see introductory paragraph 

above). Students may incorporate their week's spelling words, if applicable, into their vocabulary sentences. 

Encourage students to use word processors or typewriters. 

CORRELATING THE MANY FACETS OF LANGUAGE ARTS 

You, through your students’ weekly sentence writing and answers to Think Links, must take the opportunity to 

reinforce, at the appropriate grade level: Grammar and usage [parts of speech, including agreement of pronouns 

and antecedents; sentence parts, including agreement of subject and verb; clauses and phrases; simple, compound 

and complex sentences; sentence types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory)]; mechanics (spelling, 

capitalization, punctuation, uses of apostrophes); types of writing (narrative, expository, descriptive, persuasive); 

figures of speech (similes, metaphors, personification); inquiry and analysis. Review various types of reference 

material they’ll need for Think Links and other research. Utilize the “spelling demons” as reinforcement or 

challenges. 

To broaden your students’ horizons, help them connect vocabulary words with attributes of characters in literature 

(Scrooge, Cinderella, Achilles, Falstaff, Robinson Crusoe) and history (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, 

Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, King Arthur) with whom they are familiar. Require students to make such 

analogies in their sentence writing. 

CORRECTING AND GRADING STUDENTS’ WORK 

The burden on you, of course, is correcting your students’ work. Without your feedback, their learning will suffer. 

Encourage parents to look over their children's sentences each week and help them with corrections. Be sure to 

indicate mechanical errors. Consider giving two grades for each set of sentences: One for the content, the other 

for the mechanics. This information is very useful when conferring with parents and for report cards. 

ii

The designers of Word Web Vocabulary suggest grading each sentence with a “5” (highest), “4”, “3”, “2”, or “1” 

according to the level of thought and effort the sentence shows. For instance, a sentence such as, “A marina is a 

boat’s parking place” is a “3” or “4" and is better than, “I saw a marina,” which is only a “1.” “The mariner on 

board the submarine used to be a discus thrower in the Olympics" is a “5,” as well as a Super Sentence. (See 

Super Sentences below.) 

USING SPECIAL ELEMENTS 

THINK LINKS AND DELVE DEEPER: (See inside of front cover for definitions of these 

elements.) Both of these elements provide opportunities for students to use critical 

thinking and research skills, be they in a dictionary, an atlas, an encyclopedia, an almanac or on 

the Internet. Use your discretion in deciding how your students should use Think Links and how 

you will judge their efforts. Choose one or two Think Links each week as springboards for general classroom 

discussion, after which students can write their own responses. Encourage all students to use these component 

regularly. 

SUPER SENTENCES: Encourage your students to write these sentences that combine several 

words from previous lessons in a sensible, not silly, way. (See examples below: The number after 

each sentence indicates the grade of the student who wrote the sentence; the boldly printed 

words were their vocabulary words, the underlined ones from previous lessons.) Read good examples aloud to 

the whole class. Post them on a bulletin board. Publish them in a newsletter. 

The Inca raised maize in the glen. (2) 

The angler had to forage for night crawlers. ( 3) 

The obese hooligan wore an argyle shirt instead of his plaids and tartans. ( 4) 

It took a lot of elbow grease for the hooligan to clean the fanlight. (5) 

While foraging through trash, the raccoon came upon a paisley glove. (6) 

The artificial heart is an innovation of the eighties. (7) 

The builders revitalized the church with an Ionic column. ( 8) 

PERIODICAL PEARLS: Regardless of their abilities and interests, students can further reinforce 

their word study by searching through newspapers and other periodical literature for Periodical 

Pearls, cutting these out or downloading them from the Internet, pasting them in their workbook 

and sharing them with the class. The surprising frequency of these words rewards and motivates 

students. Each marking period, collect their workbooks and give one point for each of these examples of 

word use. Set a minimum either for all students or for individuals. Be sure that you, too, bring Pearls to class! 

Should you ever feel that the management of vocabulary is taking too much of your time, remember that it is not 

a separate subject but one that complements and supplements all the elements of your language arts curriculum. 

The first year you use the Word Web Vocabulary will be like trying anything new. However, before long you will 

see the results both in your students' daily work and on their standardized test scores. You will know you are 

involved in a worthwhile experience. 

iii

iv 

DAY I: 

PREFIX 

ROOTS 

SUFFIX 

(FRI/MON) 

➤ 

DAY 2: 

REAL WORLD 

WORD 

(MON/TUES) 

➤ 

DAY 3: 

WICKED WORD 

OF THE WEEK 

(TUES/WED) 

➤ 

DAY 4: 

SCIENCE AND 

SOCIAL 

STUDIES 

WORDS 

➤ 

DAY 5: 

APPLICATION 

AND 

DISCUSSION 

Teacher Flow Chart 

Introduce 

Prefix, Root, 

Suffix 

Word Web Vocabulary, Volume 1, Teacher’s Edition 

Elicit 

Student 

Response 

➤ ➤ ➤ 

Introduce 

Word 

➤ ➤ ➤ 

Introduce 

➤ ➤ ➤ 

Introduce 

➤ ➤ ➤ 

Discuss All 

Words 

General 

Classroom 

Discussion 

of TL’s 

Discuss 

TL & 

Other 

Elements 

Discuss & 

Share 

TL & PP 

Elicit 

Sentences, 

Internet 

Discoveries 

➤ ➤ ➤ 

Discuss 

Think 

Links 

Monitor 

Sentence 

Writing 

Monitor 

Sentence 

Writing 

Monitor 

Sentence 

Writing 

Monitor 

Sentence 

Writing 

➤ 

➤ 

➤ 

➤

LESSON 

1 

LESSON 

2 

LESSON 

4 

PREFIX: hemi-, 

semi-, demi- -1 

ASAP -2 

asset -3 

__________ -4 

PREFIX: mono-1 

WYSIWYG -2 

vital -3 

__________ -4 

PREFIX: bi--1 

HOV -2 

cascade -3 

__________ -4 

LESSON 

3 

LESSON 

5 


PREFIX: uni--1 

PREFIX: di--1 

CHAPTER 1 

1. Prefix: A word part that is attached in front of a 

root word, such as “dis-” in disbelieve, to produce a 

specific meaning; Root: Part of a word that is the 

basis for broad meaning to which either a prefix or 

suffix, or both, is added (affixed); Suffix: A word 

part attached to the end of a root word 

2. Acronym: A word formed from the initial letters 

of a name or by combining initial letters or parts of a 

series of words 

3. Wicked Word of the Week: One essential to 

growth in language and literacy 

4. Science or social studies word supplied by teacher 

TGIF -2 

thrifty -3 

__________ -4 

SUNOCO -2 

abate -3 

__________ -4 

1

Before the start of the first 

lesson, help students become 

familiar with Word 

Web Vocabulary and its 

components by studying 

the elements and their 

symbols on the inside of 

the cover with them. 

Read aloud with students 

the general instructions in 

their introduction. At this 

point, have students close 

their workbooks. 

Before introducing the 

first prefix to your students, 

familiarize them 

with the concept of prefixes, 

roots and suffixes, 

explaining that the origin 

of most of these is from 

either Latin or Greek. 

Allow students to practice 

with a common prefix 

such as “un-” so that they 

can see its effect on a root 

word. Let them “discover” 

for themselves the meaning 

of “un-” (not): unaware, 

unprepared, uncaring, 

undue, unappetizing, 

etc. Solicit more “un-” 

words from the class. If 

you feel they need more 

practice, go around the classroom asking each student to supply an “un-” prefix to alphabetical roots: unassuming, 

unbeknown, etc., or have groups create their own set of words. 

If you feel more work is necessary in this area, try “dis-," which has several meanings (1. separation — apart, 

asunder; 2. removal — away, from; 3. negation — undoing, reversal), as another example: disadvantage, disbelief, 

disqualify, disable, disobey, disarm, etc. If needed, continue with a third prefix, perhaps “re-.” 

With students keeping their workbooks closed, you are now ready to present “semi-.” Elicit as many words with 

this prefix from the class as they can produce. Repeat the process with “demi-” and “hemi-." Now, students 

should open their workbooks. They will quickly see the words with which they are familiar. Go over any words 

that they did not suggest. 

Acquaint students with the symbols which indicate the various study levels. 

2 

semiannual 

semiautomatic 

semiconscious 

beginner 

semipermeable 

semitrailer 

semiretired 

semisweet 

semicircle 


semiprofessional 

demitasse 

semi-, demihemi 

semicolon 

semiweekly 

demi-plié 

hemisphere 

hemicycle 

semimonthly semiprivate 

beginner 

intermediate 

intermediate 

intermediate 

advanced 

hemidemisemiquaver 

semiformal 

advanced challenge 

all levels 

Lesson 1 

semiprecious 

My own word 

semifinal 

My own word 

demigod 

2

For the first chapter, the 

challenging words are 

separated from the others 

so that they may seem less 

overwhelming to any insecure 

student. 

Solicit other sentences 

from students for each of 

the words. This week will 

go more slowly than it will 

in the future. 

Discuss the Bonus Blast 

and encourage students to 

try this out on a friend or 

family member. 

Explain about the Think 

Link symbol (the image 

of Rodin’s sculpture 

called The Thinker). 

Open Think Links to 

classroom discussion. 

Give students, especially 

those who are reluctant, 

ideas on how they can answer 

the questions. Explain 

your expectations 

for students’ responsibility 

for Think Links. 

Think Link #1 appears at 

the intermediate level, but 

students at both the beginner 

and advanced levels 

should try to answer it, 

too. (Answers to Think 

Links appear at the end of 

each chapter.) 

Choose certain Think Links as research-and-write assignments. 

semi-, demi-, hemi-: prefixes for “one-half, partly” 

semi- (L) 

(all are adjectives unless otherwise indicated) 

semiannual (half + year): Occurring or issued twice (each 

half of) a year. The teachers held their semiannual party. 

semiautomatic: Partly automatic, as a firearm. The bank 

robber used a semiautomatic rifle. 

semicircle (n): A half of a circle as divided by a diameter; an 

object or arrangement of objects or people in the shape of a 

half a circle. adj: semicircular 

semicolon (n): A mark of punctuation(;) used to connect 

independent clauses or a long series, composed of the top 

half of a colon (:) and a comma 

semiconscious: Only partly conscious (awake). The accident 

victim was semiconscious. 

semifinal : A match, a competition, or an examination that 

precedes the final one, half-way to the finals 

semiformal: What sort of semiformal clothes 

might a person wear to a dance? 

semimonthly: Occurring or issued twice a month, as a semimonthly 

newsletter or magazine 

semipermeable: Allowing certain small items to pass through 

but acting as a barrier to others. That semipermeable strainer 

let the sand pass through but caught the gravel. 

semiprecious: A gem, such as an opal, that has commercial 

value but is only partly as rare or expensive as a precious 

stone such as a diamond 

semiprivate: Only partly private, such as a hospital room 

shared with another patient. How would you describe a 

semiprivate conversation? 

The Delve Deeper symbol appears with a number of words and acts as a suggestion that some form of research is 

possible, not necessarily on the In- ternet. Ask students what else they could find out about words that have the 

symbol with them and where they could go for the information — a dictionary, encyclopedia, atlas, almanac or the 

Internet. 

Explain to your students the requirements you are establishing for their sentence writing. Have them turn the page 

in their workbook to see where they can do their writing. Explain that after the first week of school, they will be 

required to incorporate words from earlier weeks into their current week’s sentences. Explain Super Sentences. Have 

students try a few orally. 

Other "semi" words are semiboneless, semiaquatic, semiliterate and semitruthful. 

2 

semiprofessional: Participating in a sport for pay but only 

on a parttime basis 

semiretired: A person who is only partly retired from work. 

Many grandfathers are semiretired. 

1 

semisweet: A type of partly-sweet chocolate used 

in baking. 

semitrailer (n): A trailer whose wheels are at the rear 

half only, with the forward portion being supported by 

the truck cab or towing vehicle 

semitropical: Florida is a semitropical state. 

semiweekly: Occurring each half of (twice) a week 

3 

Try this on a friend! 

demi- (French) 

demigod (n): In mythology, a male being, often the offspring 

of a god and a mortal, who had part but not all of 

the powers of a god; a person who is highly honored or 

revered. Mayor Curley was regarded as a demigod by 

many Bostonians. 

demitasse (half + cup): A small (half-size) cup of strong 

black coffee or espresso; the small cup that is used to 

serve this drink 

demi-plié (n) ballet: Half a grand-plié, a movement in 

ballet that involves bending the knees 

hemi- (Gr) 

hemicycle (n): A semicircular hall or room, usually with 

a wide opening from another room 

hemisphere (n): A half of a sphere; either the 

northern or southern half of the earth, as divided by the 

equator, or the eastern or western half as divided by a 

meridian. In which hemisphere do you live? 

hemidemisemiquaver: A musical note that is 1/2 of a 1/2of 

a 1/2- of an 1/8- note — in other words, a 64th note! 

11 

3 

3

On the second class day, 

in accordance with the 

Teacher Flow Chart, introduce 

the second word 

of the week, The Real 

World Word, which in 

Chapter One is the first in 

a series of acronyms (definition 

on page 1). A Super 

Sentence appears as a 

model for those which 

students should be encouraged 

to write. Have 

students turn the page to 

see where they can write 

their own Super Sentences. 

On the third day, go over 

the Wicked Word of the 

Week and the three sentences 

that illustrate the 

use and meaning of asset. 

Students can try out the 

Think Links which are intended 

for all students regardless 

of the level at 

which they work when 

studying prefixes, roots 

and suffixes. 

The publishers of Word 

Web Vocabulary strongly 

encourage you to maintain 

regular contact with 

4 

colleagues teaching science 

and social studies. By 

supplying students with the fourth word of the week, you provide the necessary lexical support for these topics. 

Students utilize these words in their sentence writing in the same way as they do the other lessons’ words. 

At this point in the week, go over the Student’s Flow Chart with the class, giving whatever guidance students 

need to complete the lesson. Share some Periodical Pearls (being sure that students understand what periodical 

publications are) of your own and help students locate the pages in their books where they can place theirs. 

(There is room provided at the end of every chapter and, when room allows, on some of the lesson pages.) 

4 

Dad said, “I want you to wash the car A-S-A-P!” 

“Fax it to me ASAP!” 

Her shiny hair and her personality are her best assets. 

Most people keep some of their assets like jewelry 

and savings bonds in a bank safety deposit box. 

A popular investment fund is called Asset Manager. 

MY SENTENCES: 

"...a gift to each child in the world (would) be a sense of wonder 

so indestructible that it would last throughout life..." Rachel Carson 


ASAP: Acronym meaning As Soon As Possible 

(pronounce each letter individually) 

WICKED WORD OF THE WEEK 

The semiprofessional tennis player said he 

would finish the semifinal ASAP, so that he 

could get to the semiformal party on time. 

asset (n): A useful or valuable quality, person, or thing; 

an advantage or a resource; a valuable item that is owned 

4-7 

What is your best personal asset? 

What is your most valuable (tangible) asset? 

Are you an asset to your class? Why or why not? 

What is your school's greatest asset? 

MY SCIENCE OR SOCIAL STUDY WORD AND ITS DEFINITION:

Repeat the method you 

used in Lesson I to introduce 

the prefix: Start with 

the students’ books closed 

and solicit as many 

“mono” words as they can 

provide. If a student 

should present a word not 

already included in the 

lesson, there are two 

empty rectangles on the 

web entitled “My own 

word” which are there for 

that purpose. If more than 

two such words surface, 

there is plenty of blank 

space on the web page for 

these words. 

Go over each word with 

the whole class. This lesson 

contains the first Cool 

Connection, intended for 

students at every level. 

monotony 

monocle 

monograph 

monorail 

monoxide 

monaural 

monolith 

monotype 

mono- 

monoculture 

monopoly 

mononucleosis 

monomial 

monoplane 

monarch 

monogram 

Lesson 2 

My own word 

monogamy 

My own word 

Discuss Think Links and 

have a few students attempt 

answers. At this 

point, you and your students 

should be aware of 

monotone 

the level at which they are 

going to work most com- 

monk monastery 

fortably. No student 

above the third grade who 

works at the beginner 

beginner 

beginner 

intermediate 

intermediate 

intermediate 

advanced 

advanced challenge all levels 

6 

level should be made to feel inferior or slow; nor should those who can handle the advanced words be able to act 

with superiority. Regardless of students' levels, they should be encouraged to study words both above and below 

their chosen levels. Not only is it impossible to categorize vocabulary words into cut-and-dried levels, it is a 

subjective process, which is why students may appear to operate at disparate levels at different times. 

Use Word Web Vocabulary to bring out the best in each of your students. Everyone can be a high achiever with 

this program. Request that students share their Super Sentences, or read aloud those you encounter on students' 

pages as you circulate around the room. Encourage everyone to let his eyes roam newspapers, magazines, 

and advertising circulars seeking applications of the current and past weeks’ words. Bring your own examples 

into the classroom. Create a bulletin board. Make sure each student pastes his finds on spaces provided in the 

workbook for Periodical Pearls. Remember, Think Links lend themselves to research-and-write assignments. 

5

For students who need 

more challenges, let 

them work with “monomania” 

(one + excessive 

concentration on a 

single object or subject). 

Have students look the 

word up in the dictionary 

and, using sentences, 

give examples. If they 

have read Moby Dick, 

ask, “What characteristics 

did Captain Ahab 

display to qualify him as 

a monomaniac?” (Answer: 

His obsession with 

killing the renowned 

white whale ultimately 

caused the demise of 

many men.) 

There are apt to be many 

stories about current lawsuits 

against monopolies, 

such as those filed against 

Microsoft and Intel. Discuss 

these and bring articles 

to the classroom 

both to clarify the topic 

and as Periodical Pearls. 

Computer graphics programs 

use monotone (a 

grayscale image printed 

with a single, nonblack 

ink) as a synonym for 

monochromatic. B & W 

televisions are mono- 

chrome. Monoculture: The growing of a single crop on a farm or in a region or country. We drove through a 

monoculture of oil palm trees. monocultural: A single, homogeneous culture without diversity. Iowa is a 

monocultural state. 

Independence Rock: Fur trappers named this formation on July 4, 1824. On any summer evening in July, 

hundreds of emigrants could be found swarming all over Independence Rock, chiseling messages to others following 

behind. Many of the emigrants arrived here on the Fourth of July, and that was cause for celebration. They 

baked pies and shared revelry. Emigrant James Nesmith: "Had the pleasure of waiting on five or six young ladies 

to pay a visit to Independence Rock. I had the satisfaction of putting the names of Miss Mary Zachary and Miss 

Jane Mills on the southeast point of the rocks." Emigrant Margret Hecox: "Being the Fourth of July, we concluded 

to lay by and celebrate the day. The children had no fireworks, but we all joined in singing patriotic songs and 

shared in a picnic lunch." 

6 


mono-: Greek prefix meaning "one" 

monarch (one + ruler)(n): A single ruler, such as a king or 

queen, an emperor or empress. Why is one butterfly 

species called a monarch? 

“I am the monarch 8 of the sea , the 

ruler of the Queen’s navy ...” H.M.S. Pinafore. 

Gilbert and Sullivan 

monocle(n): An eyeglass for one eye. The monarch wore a 

monocle. 

monogram (one + letter)(n): A design composed 

of one or more letters, typically the initials 

of a name, used as an identifying mark 

monoplane (n): An airplane with only one pair of wings (as 

opposed to a biplane) 

monopoly (one + sell)(n): Exclusive possession or control. 

The Mattel Company has a monopoly on Barbie Dolls. 

What is the goal of each player in the game of 

Monopoly? 

9 

monorail (n): A one-rail track for wheeled vehicles traveling 

on it or suspended from it. A monorail runs 

through the campus of West Virginia University. 

monotone (n): A succession of sounds or words uttered in 

one tone of voice; sameness or dull repetition in sound, style, 

manner, or color 

monotony (n): One-ness of tone or sound; wearisome 

sameness. We suffered through the monotony of the long 

lecture, as the speaker droned on and on in a monotone. 

monotype (n) Biology: The one member of its group, such as 

a single species that constitutes a genus; a one-of-a-kind print 

made by pressing paper against a painted or inked surface 

monk 

Originally, a man who retired from the world 

and devoted himself to a solitary ascetic life 

monastery 

from Greek “to live alone.” A house where monks under 

religious vows retire from the world 

Challenges for those who want to know more: 

monaural (one + ear)(adj): Electronics: Relating to a system 

of transmitting, recording, or reproducing sound in 

which one or more sources are connected to one channel 

monoculture (one + culture)(n): The raising of only one 

product, as wheat or wool, instead of using the land for a 

greater variety of crops 

monogamy (one + marriage) (n): Marriage with one person 

at a time, as opposed to bigamy and polygamy 

monograph (one + writing)(n) : A scholarly piece of writing 

of essay or book length on one, often limited, subject. 

She read the monograph on demitasse cups. 

monolith (one + stone)(n): A large block of stone, often 

one used in architecture or sculpture 

Independence Rock, Wyoming, 

a well-known monolith to 

travelers on the Oregon Trail 

monomial (n) Mathematics: An algebraic expression 

consisting of only one term. Can you write an 

algebraic monomial? Biology: A taxonomic 

name consisting of one word 10 

mononucleosis (one + nucleus)(n): A medical condition 

in which there is an abnormally large number of white 

blood cells with one nucleus in the bloodstream 

monoxide (n): An oxide with each molecule containing 

one oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide is CO, whereas carbon 

dioxide is CO 2 . 

7

This week’s acronym is a 

contemporary computer 

term. Students probably 

encounter it when reading 

computer magazines 

or descriptions of webpage 

software, and like 

many other words of its 

ilk, it has spread into the 

general vocabulary. 

As you can see, many 

forms of the word vital are 

presented in this lesson, 

providing you with an opportunity 

to review parts 

of speech. 

Many products utilize vital 

in their names and advertising. 

Students should 

look for examples, such as 

Lancôme's Vitabolics skin 

care product. 

Ask students how a malfunctioning 

satellite can 

cut vital communication 

links. (It controls many 

pagers and access to the Internet, 

as well as communications 

between retailers, 

news organizations 

and broadcasters.) 

You can easily build a website without knowing 

any HTML by using one of the 

WYSIWYG web-page editors. What you see 

on the screen is what you will get at your 

website. 


vital (adj): Necessary to the continuation of life; life-sustaining; full of life; 

animated. Necessary to continued existence or effectiveness; essential 

He has the most vital personality of anyone I know. 

She had vital information for the monarch. 

Their presence was vital to the success of the plan. 

11 

Name at least two vital organs found in every 

mammal. 

The doctor said the newborn baby’s vital signs 

were very good. To what was the doctor referring? 

13 

What would the vital signs of a resort area be? 

Vital statistics: Each year my hometown publishes vital statistics 

about itself; it publishes the number of births and deaths 

during the year. You are applying for a job and are asked for 

your vital statistics. What information would you 

give? 

14 

Fire is as vital for some forests as rain. 

MY SENTENCES: 

WYSIWYG: Acronym for What You See Is 

What You Get, a computer term pronounced “whizzywig” 

vitality (n): Vigor; liveliness. That crimson flower is 

full of vitality. Although that lady is 90 years old, she 

still has lots of vitality! 

vitally (adv): It is vitally important that he get the 

message immediately! Name at least three 

things that are vitally important for you to do 

every day. 

15 

revitalize (v): The mayor helped revitalize 

the city. Use revitalization (n) in a sentence. 

16 

What’s In A 

Vitalis Hair Product — Blistex Lip Revitalizer 

Challenge advanced stu- 

8 

dents to figure out how 

each of the items in the following Worldwatch Institute report affects the vital signs of the environment: The 

world's economic growth; rate of electrical generation from wind versus new nuclear power generation; what 

countries produced wheat, especially if this exceeded the U.S.; whether oil producing companies are investing in 

wind and solar energy; the impact of the Internet on communications, rate of telephone lines increases, cellular 

phones; fire damage to rain forests; global warming; carbon emissions; carbon dioxide concentrations in the 

atmosphere and Earth’s average temperature; melting icecaps in the Andes; shrinking glaciers in the Alps and the 

breakup of the sea ice around Antarctica; worldwide cigarette production. 

“The fresher the stimulus and the more engaged you are, the more impact it has on you, 

and the more likely you are to remember it.” Arnold Scheibel 

12 

The weatherman said, “What you see now is 

what you’re going to get the rest of the day.” 

Product Name? 

MY SCIENCE OR SOCIAL STUDY WORD AND ITS DEFINITION: 

7

While students are looking 

at the web, go over all 

the words quickly, always 

emphasizing how “one” 

fits in. 

Stress often during the 

week how to use unique 

correctly. Have students 

listen for the incorrect usages 

“very or quite unique” 

on television or radio. 

Something is either one of 

a kind or it is not; it cannot 

be modified. 

Explain the “what’s-goodfor-one-is-good-for-all” 

idea behind unisex. Diapers 

are unisex. What else 

is unisex? 

Throughout the lessons, 

Literary Links appear. 

This first one, for united, 

should generate a short 

discussion as to what this 

quote refers. Students in 

grades 6 and up should be 

able to identify the United 

States’ civil war. 

Cool Connections are intended 

to be studied by all 

ability levels. 

unison 

Several Awesome Associations occur with this “uni” prefix. Most students today are already familiar with the 

phrase, “You are (or I am) numero uno!” Solicit information about the game Uno. How did it get its name? 

Both Les Etats Unis and Los Estados Unidos are definitely at the challenging level for most students unless they 

are already familiar with French or Spanish. 

There are probably more products than presented here that utilize “uni-” or exist as 

Awesome Associations (Pizzeria Uno). Have students look for them in advertisements 

or in groceries and pharmacies. The more you praise these efforts, the more 

your students will be inspired to look for examples. If you find students lagging in this 

endeavor, you can set up a minimum that you require of everyone. Or, you can give 

points for each example with a corresponding grade value for a specified number of 

points. Do whatever it takes to motivate your students! 

8 

union 

unit 

Los Estados Unidos 

E Pluribus Unum 

unite 

unisex 


unique 

unicameral 

unify 

uni- 

unilateral 

universe 

Unitarian 

uniform 

unicycle 

beginner 

intermediate 

beginner intermediate advanced 

intermediate 

challenge all levels 

advanced 

Les Etats Unis 

uno 

Lesson 3 

unicorn 

My own word 

unity 

My own word 

What’s In A 

Product Name? 

10

Uni + verse is perhaps 

one of the more difficult 

concepts, as the Latin 

meaning for “verse,” turn 

or bend, is more obscure 

than many other roots. 

Depending on the where 

you live, Unitarian 

churches may or may not 

be well known. They are 

especially widespread in 

New England. Unitarian 

is an extension of 

unitary, meaning not divided, 

integrated. 

Unicameral depends on 

students understanding 

that the word camera 

means chamber. A judge 

often says, “Let’s meet in 

camera.” The camera 

with which we take pictures 

is based on the principle 

of a chamber. 

Uni + lateral is also difficult, 

unless students are 

already acquainted with 

lateral, as in a lateral 

(sideways) pass in football 

or the lateral fins on 

a fish. 

Think Links, Real World 

Words and the Wicked 

Word of the Week 

present opportunities for 

brainstorming and other techniques that allow 

students to hone critical thinking skills, 

proving especially valuable for gifted children 

whose divergent thinking comes to the fore. 

20 

uni-: Latin prefix meaning "one" 

E Pluribus Unum (Latin motto of the 

United States of America): E (out of) + 

Pluribus (many)+ Unum (one) = 

17 

Out of many, one. Where can one find this motto? 

unicorn (one + horn) (n): A fabled creature 

represented as a horse with one straight spiraled 

horn projecting from its forehead. Many 

Medieval people believed in unicorns. 

unicycle (n): A vehicle consisting of a frame mounted 

over one wheel and usually propelled by pedals. The 

clown rode a unicycle in the circus. 

uniform (one + form) (adj): Always the same; unvaried in 

texture, color, or design. The company had a uniform policy 

about vacations. (n): A distinctive outfit intended to identify 

those who wear it as members of a specific group. Do you 

wear a uniform to school or to work? If yes, how do you 

feel about it? If not, would you like to wear one? 

Why or why not? 

18 

unify (v): To make into or become a unit; consolidate. (n): 

unification; deunification 

union (n): Agreement or harmony resulting from the uniting 

of individuals. (v): unionize 

unique (adj): One of a kind. My bracelet is unique. 

Can I have a very unique asset? 

19 

unisex (adj): Designed for, or suitable to, one sex or the other. 

Elimination or absence of sexual distinctions, especially in 

dress. I bought a unisex jacket. 

I get my hair cut in a semiprivate room at a unique 

unisex salon that has a monotonous decor. 

Can you write your own Super Sentence that uses one 

semi- or hemi- or demi- prefix with a mono- and uni- word? 

unison (n): When two or more speakers say or sing the same 

words at one time; an instance of agreement or concord. We 

practiced saying the poem in unison. 

unit (n): A single thing, person or group regarded as one member 

of a number of groups. We finished the first unit in our 

spelling book. My office unit is very small. 

unite (v): To bring together so as to form one whole. reunite 

(v); united (adj) “United we stand, divided we 

fall.” The Flag of our Union. G. P. Morris. Our 

united efforts brought peace. We live in the United States. 

unity (n): The state or quality of being as one; in accord; 

harmony. Our class worked on the play in unity. 

universe (one + turning)(n): All matter and energy, 

including Earth, the galaxies and the contents of intergalactic 

space, regarded as one. We must learn not to 

pollute our universe. universal (adj): The idea of worldwide 

peace has universal appeal. university: A college 

with more than one school in it. 

A Christian who denies the doctrine of the Trinity, believing 

that God exists only in one person (not three) 

“The United States” in French: Les Etats Unis; 

“The United States” in Spanish: Los Estados Unidos 

What’s In A 

Product Name? 

Unitarian 

Uno means one in Spanish. If 

you are "numero uno," who are 

you? 

Unisom (sleeping aid): 

What does it mean? 

22 

Challenges for those who want to know more: 

unicameral (adj): Having or consisting of only one 

legislative chamber. (See camera on page 132.) 

unilateral (adj): One-sided or undertaken by only 

one, two or more sides. England and Russia made a 

unilateral agreement. 

The Unisphere (one + world / sphere), a 12-story high stainless 

steel model of the earth, was the symbol of the 1964-65 

New York World's Fair. It is still on the site today at Flushing 

Meadow Park. The view from the edge of its adjacent pool 

gave the observer a view of the world as it would appear from 

6,000 miles in space. 

21 

11 

9

Grocery ads are a wonderful 

source for your own 

thrifty questions, such as 

“Why is 1 quart of strawberries 

@ $1.48 a thriftier 

buy than 1 pound of 

strawberries @ $1.28?” 

Students will have to 

know that a pint is a 

pound (“A pint’s a pound 

the whole world ‘round.”) 

and that two pints make 

a quart. 

Have students make up 

their own thrifty questions. 

“Which is more 

thrifty, ______________ 

or ______________?” 

In addition to discussing 

each Literary Link, you 

may wish your students to 

practice their handwriting 

by copying these quotes. 

Are your students 

writing complete 

sentences when 

they answer Think Links? 

Are your students 

beginning 

to write Super 

Sentences? Be sure to 

share good examples with 

the class. 

10 

As I passed the faculty lounge, I heard someone say, “TGIF!” 

I muttered, “I couldn’t agree more.” 

MY SENTENCES: 

“A word is not a crystal, transparent and unchanging; it is the skin of a living thought 

and may vary greatly in color and content according to the circumstances and time in 

which it is used.” Oliver Wendell Holmes 


TGIF: Acronym for Thank Goodness It’s Friday 


She is a thrifty person because she wears her clothes out 

before buying new ones, and she uses savings coupons 

when she buys food. She is well-known for her thriftiness. 

A person who buys a first-class seat on a plane is not thrifty 

with money. Some might call him a spendthrift. 

thrifty (adj): Wisely economical 

“Poor man,” said I, “you paid too much for your 

whistle.” The Whistle. Benjamin Franklin. 

Do you believe that Ben Franklin was a thrifty 

person? Why or why not? 

24 

One of the car rental companies is called Thrifty. Do you 

think the name might induce you to rent a car from them? 

Other car rental agencies are called Budget and 

Econo Car. Do they send the same message? 

25 

What is a thrift shop? 

26 

23 

What is your spin on why so many businesses 

choose TGIF as their name?” 

Complete this sentence: She was so thrifty that 

she __________________ 

27 

Which would be the more thrifty purchase: 

28 A can of peas costing 50¢ or those on sale at a 

“Buy one can, get one free” special if one can 

costs $1? 

Three boxes of frozen vegetables for $5 or two for 

$3. How much is the difference? 

Yogurt 4 for $2 with a 40¢ coupon (for all 4) I can 

double or 5 for $2 and a 20¢ coupon I can triple? 


28 

28 

12

How many Periodical 

Pearls have 

you brought to 

class this week? 

YOUR NOTES 

Use “Your Notes” to 

record any interesting 

ideas that turned up in a 

class, new words that students 

discovered, or any 

sort of information that 

will help you and others in 

future years. 

bigamy 

biplane 

What’s In A 

Product Name? 

bilateral 

bicycle 

bifocal 

bivalve 

bilingual 

binoculars 

What’s In A 

Product Name? 

"Education is not to reform students or amuse them or to make them expert technicians. It 

is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, teach them to think 

straight, if possible." Robert M. Hutchins 

biennial 

bipartisan 

binary 

biracial 

bi- 

bicentennial 

bicameral 

biscuit/biscotti 

bisect 

binomial 

billion 

biceps 

bicolored 

beginner 

intermediate 


intermediate 


advanced 

Lesson 4 

bicuspid 

My own word 

My own word 

14 

11

Another “bi-” word is 

biathlon, the competitive 

and Olympic sport 

that combines crosscountry 

skiing and rifle 

sharpshooting. 

Students who undertook 

“unicameral” in the previous 

lesson should not 

have difficulty with “bicameral.” 

Which type of 

government does your 

state have? 

Even though the spelling 

for “two” in German is 

zwei, Zwieback, translates 

to “twice baked.” Be 

sure that students understand 

that the vowels 

have been reversed in 

this word meaning 

“two.” Biscuit originally 

referred to bread that was 

baked, cut into slices and 

then returned to the 

oven until very crisp and 

dry, so that it was baked 

twice. Italian biscotti is 

made this way. 

Encourage students 

to find a 

Bisquick ad or 

box top of their own to 

add to their Periodical 

Pearls. 

12 

YOUR NOTES 

bicentennial (two + hundred + year) (n): A 200th anniversary 

or its celebration. When did the United States 

celebrate its bicentennial? Has your home town celebrated 

its bicentennial? 29- 30 If yes, when? 

bicolored (adj): Having two colors. "The bicolored, 

python rock-snake ..." The Elephant's Child. 

Rudyard Kipling. What else can be bicolored? 

31 

bicuspid (two + point) (n): Having two points or cusps, as 

the crescent moon; a bicuspid tooth, especially a premolar. 

I cracked a bicuspid when I fell. 

bicycle (n): Write your own definition. 

32 

bifocal (adj): Having two focal lengths, one section that 

corrects for distant vision and another that corrects for near 

vision, as eyeglasses. Dad wears bifocals. 

bigamy (two + marriage) (n): The criminal offense of being 

married to two people at the same time. bigamist (n): Person 

who commits bigamy 

bilingual (adj): Using or able to use two languages, especially 

with equal or nearly equal fluency. I am bilungual in 

English and Spanish. 

binoculars (two + eyes) (n): An optical device, such as field 

glasses, designed for use by both (two) eyes at the same time. 

Compare to monocular. 

biplane (n): A plane with two sets of wings. The biplane 

sprayed the crops with fertilizer. 

biracial (adj): Two ethnic races mixed together. Jane and 

Joe have a biracial marriage. 

A 

bisect (v): To cut into two equal parts; to split. 

Line B bisects line A at point C. 

B . ➚ 

C 

bivalve (n): A mollusk, such as an oyster or a clam, that has 

a shell consisting of two hinged valves. Name 2 more. 

33 

biweekly (adj): Happening every two weeks OR happening 

twice a week, a confusing word because it has two different 

meanings. If you were told you must attend a biweekly 

meeting, would you know how often it took place? 

34 

“Most learning experiences produce multiple outcomes.” Ralph Tyler 


bi-: Latin prefix meaning "two" 

biscuit/biscotti 

(n) Twice cooked. Old-fashioned biscuits and Italian 

biscotti are baked two separate times. 

What’s In A 

What do you think Bisquick means? 

What’s In A 

35 

Product Name? 

Product Name? 

Zwiebach: Although the word for two 

in German is really “zwei,” Zwieback 

does mean “twice baked.” 

Challenges for those who want more: 

bicameral (adj): Composed of or based on two legislative 

chambers or branches. What are the two legislative 

branches of U. S. government? Of British government? 

(See camera on pg. 132.) 

36 

biceps (n): A muscle with two heads or points of origin. 

Where are these muscles found? 

37 

biennial (adj): Lasting or living for two years; happening 

every second year. Some flowers are biennials. 

bilateral (adj): Having two sides. The countries made a 

bilateral agreement. 

billion (n): An imitation of million. 10 9 =1,000,000,000 

binary star (n): A double star whose members revolve 

around their common center of gravity 

binomial (two + law) (n) Mathematics: A polynomial 

with two terms. Write an algebraic binomial. 

38 

bipartisan (adj): Of, consisting of, or supported by members 

of two parties, especially two major political parties. 

The president of the U.S. received bipartisan support from 

what political parties? 

39 

15

Let advanced students 

work on the following: 

Not everyone, including 

some environmentalists, 

favors HOV lanes. A recent 

news article quoted 

a woman who said she is 

“puzzled” that environmental 

groups are taking 

positions against the proposed 

HOV lanes “because 

I think we share a 

common objective of increasing 

the use of highoccupancy 

vehicles and 

reducing dependency on 

single-occupancy vehicles.” 

Why might environmentalists 

be opposed 

to a city adding HOV 

lanes? (Environmentalists 

might be concerned if a 

new lane has to be added 

for HOV to an existing 

highway because that 

would destroy more land.) 

Lead your students into 

brainstorming all sorts of 

uses for cascade, such as 

cascades of new knowledge, 

new technology, 

new ideas, newly-published 

books. In an electrical 

sense, cascade 

means connected in series. 

Today's Think Links offer opportunities 

for research and writing 

projects. 

Are your students correcting spelling 

and mechanical errors in their 

sentences? 

We picnicked beside the roaring cascade. 

The snow cascaded off the roof. 

Her hair cascaded down her back. 

His books cascaded off the desk. 

HOV: Acronym for High Occupancy Vehicle, 

a car, truck or bus carrying at least two people 

The main highways leading into and out of most major 

cities in the United States have special High Occupancy 

Vehicle (HOV) lanes which allow only those vehicles 

that have a stated minimum number of occupants (2, 3 

or 4) to use them during the morning and evening rush 

hours Mondays through Fridays. 40 

MY SENTENCES: 


cascade (n): Waterfall; anything that ripples 

or showers down in the manner of a waterfall 


YOUR NOTES 

“A new word is a new idea to help you think.” Norman Lewis 

Why would cities establish HOV lanes? Do 

you think creating HOVs is a good idea? Why 

/why not? 

If you travel where there are HOVs, how 

many occupants must a vehicle have before it 

can legally drive in a HOV lane? 

The Cascade Mountains are in Washington and Oregon. 

How might they have gotten their name? 

41 

What’s In A 

42 

Why would a manufacturer 

call its dishwashing product 

Cascade? 

Product Name? 

16 

13

Remember to require 

students to 

answer Think 

Links in complete sentences. 

Are you grading 

them on spelling and the 

mechanics of grammar? 

14 

YOUR NOTES 

dichotomy 

digraph 

Diptera 

“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” Ludwig Wittgenstein 


divide 

di- 

diploma / diplomat 

beginner 

intermediate 


intermediate 


advanced 

Lesson 5 

diurnal 

My own word 

diverse 

My own word 

diverge 

18

The prefix diplo-, although 

not in wide usage, 

is included in the 

hope that sometime in 

the future, if not now, 

students will recall its 

meaning. 

Digress (two + step / 

walk) is another word for 

more able students. 

Compare diverse with 

various words based on 

mono- , such as: diverse 

colors versus monochromatic; 

diverse cultures 

versus monocultures 

(page 6, teacher's notes). 

The Diptera or true flies 

are an amazing order of 

insects which can be 

readily recognised in 

their adult forms because 

those which have wings, 

and most of them do, 

have only two; all other 

flying insects have four 

wings. In the true flies 

the hind wings have become 

modified into a 

pair of balancing organs 

called halteres. 

YOUR NOTES 

di- or dicho-: Greek prefixes meaning 

“two, twice, double, divided” 

digraph (n): Two letters representing a single speech sound, 

such as the ph in pheasant or the ea in beat. Name 

two more digraphs. 

43 

diverge (two + bend)(v): To go or extend in different directions 

from a common point. “Two roads diverged 

in a wood, and I — I took the road less 

traveled by ...” The Road Not Taken. Robert Frost. divergent 

(adj): Differing from each other or from a standard. 

Give an example of divergent thinking. 

44 

diverse (two + turns)(adj): Differing one from another. 

The students had quite diverse ideas about the movie. diversify 

(v): To give variety to; vary. Our teacher diversified 

our assignments. 

divide (two + window)(v): 45 When we say "divy up!" 

what are we really saying? Why are the Rocky Mountains 

in the western U.S. often called "The Great Divide"? 

diploma / diplomat 

diploma [diplo (twofold, double)]: A certificate conferring 

a privilege or honor; an official document or charter, from 

ancient times when a letter or composition on paper or 

parchment was folded in two. diplomat (n): One, such as 

an ambassador, who uses skill and tact in dealing with others, 

especially in relations with other governments 

Challenges for those who want more: 

dichotomy (n): Division into two usually contradictory 

parts or opinions. The husband and wife had a real dichotomy 

about the children's curfew. 

Diptera (two + wing)(n): Order of insects comprising 

the true or two-winged flies (as the housefly), the mosquitoes, 

gnats, etc. 

A true fly, a member of the Diptera order 

of insects 

diurnal (adj) (two + lights): Used especially when referring 

to birds and animals that are active both in the 

daytime and at night, such as some very northern owls, 

rabbits and other mammals. Why must some 

wildlife be diurnal? 

47 

"No use to shout at them to pay attention. If the situations, the materials, the problems 

before the child do not interest him, his attention will slip off to what does interest him, 

and no amount of exhortation or threats will bring it back." John Holt 

46 

Place your periodical pearls here 

19 

15

Gasoline company acronyms 

are so widespread 

that they deserve our attention. 

Once students 

begin decoding these 

types of acronyms, they 

are on their way to recognizing 

another facet of our 

language. We hope that 

they will also question 

such names as Texaco 

(Texas Company), 

SOHIO (Standard Oil, 

Ohio), Arco (Atlantic 

Richfield Company), 

Conoco (Continental Oil 

Company), Citgo (City 

Services), BP (British Petroleum) 

and Exxon 

(which has no meaning 

today but evolved from 

the original Esso, a different 

type of acronym based 

on the sounds of the letters 

“S” and “O,” which 

stood for Standard Oil.) 

The now defunct Amoco 

was an acronym for 

American Oil Company. 

Students may wonder 

how they are to use a gas 

station name in their sentences, 

so a little brainstorming 

might be in order. 

“The Sunoco dealer 

...;” “The cascade next to 

the Sunoco station ...” and 

so forth. 

16 

As the storm abated, the boys' noise abated, too. 

I hope the pain in my broken arm will soon abate, along 

with my fear of falling again. 

After five minutes of “time out,” the child's anger abated. 

MY SENTENCES: 

Look for Wicked Words of the Week that you and students can relate to the literature the class is either 

studying currently or has in the past. Did some character's pain, fear or anger abate? Was some 

character particularly thrifty? What were a character's assets? 

“Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style.” Jonathan Swift 


SUNOCO: An acronym for SUN Oil COmpany 


abate (v): To grow less 

My brother let the gasoline cascade down the side of 

our semitrailer at the SUNOCO service station, but I 

am too thrifty to let that happen. 

The diplomat’s assets, stored in a semiannual 

account, grew unabated over the years. 

abatement (n): A lessening. The homeowner asked for 

an abatement on her taxes. 


20

Since this lesson is a review, provide time during the week for students to catch up and 

correct their sentences and answers to Think Links. 

Chapter reviews contain a mix of question types, most of which, like analogies, are found on 

standardized tests. The student page for the review is 23; for the Think Links answers, page 24. 

For both Review and Think Link answers, it is not as important for students to be right or 

wrong as it is for them to share, discuss and even dispute others' answers, including those given in 

the text. 

Have you recorded the number of Periodical Pearls you and your students have brought to class 

so far? 

What is the average number of Think Links your students answered in this chapter? 

How many Super Sentences did students write? 

Once you determine the answers to the above questions, enter the figures in the students' performance 

record on page 112-116. 

YOUR NOTES 

“Words are a lens to focus one’s mind.” Ayn Rand 

17

REVIEW FOR LESSONS 1-5 

(use only words from lessons 1 - 5) 

1. semi- : hemi- = bi- : ______ (read this: semi is to hemi as bi is to what?) 

2. Write a sentence is which you use ASAP, thrifty, and any word starting with the prefix “bi-.” 

3. Which does not belong and why? (a) universe (b) uninteresting (c) reunite (d) unicorn 

4. Which does not belong and why? (a) monocle (b) monarch (c) monsoon (d) monorail 

5 - 11. Fill in the blanks: 

5. The girls sang the song in _______________________ (one voice). 

6. The celebration of a 200th anniversary is called a ______centennial. 

7. It is _____________ (important) that he get the message. 

8. He spoke in such a __________________ that we soon fell asleep. 

9. A monochrome painting has _________ colors. 

10. The water __________________ over the rocks with a thunderous noise. 

11. Randy is our class’s greatest ____________ because he helps others with their work. 

12. If a carpenter answers me in monosyllables, give at least 3 examples of how she might answer. 

1. di- 2. various answers 3. (b) because it does 

not use the root "uni-" 4. (c) because it does not 

use the root "mono" 5. unison 6. bi- 7. vital 

18 

How many Think Links did you answer in this chapter? ______ 

How many Super Sentences did you write in this chapter? _____ 

How many Periodical Pearls did you bring to class in the last 6 weeks? _____ 

10 - 12 correct! 

Love these words! 

They work 

for me! 

ANSWERS ANSWERS ANSWERS TO TO TO REVIEW REVIEW 

REVIEW 

HOW HOW DID DID YOU YOU DO? 

DO? 

7 - 9 correct! 

Could have done a little 

better. Next time I will! 

Lesson 6 

8. monotone 9. one 10. cascaded 11. asset 12. 

Examples: What? Yes. No. Huh? Can't. Won't. 

Yes'm. 

Fewer than 7 correct! 

Should have studied more. 

I will next time — honest!

1. Dressier than jeans and less than a tuxedo or evening 

dress; perhaps a shirt and tie or a shirt and nice V-neck sweater 

or a skirt or dressy pants 

2. Between more than 2 people but still a small number 

3. If in N. and Central America, Europe: the northern 

hemisphere; if below the equator, such as Ecuador and Brazil 

of S. America, or Australia: the southern hemisphere. 

4.-7. Answers will vary. 

8. It is larger than other butterflies. 

9. To gain control of most of the properties, causing the 

other players to go bankrupt 

10. Examples: 2x; 4ay; 3x 2 

11. Heart, liver, bone, muscle, skin, intestine, stomach, kidney, 

lymph nodes, spleen, brain, pancreas 

12. Respiration (pulse), temperature, body color, amount of 

alertness 

13. Large percentage of available rooms rented; busy-ness of 

restaurants; high retail sales 

14. Your birth date, height, weight, color of eyes, perhaps 

names of parents, your address, phone number 

15. Examples: Brush my teeth; wear a seatbelt every time 

I’m in a car; do my homework; exercise; use good manners; 

be considerate of others 

16. Example: The mayor announced his plans for the revitalization 

of the city. 

17. On many United States coins 

18. Answers will vary. 

19. Nothing can be very unique; unique means "one of 

a kind," so nothing can be more distinctive than that. 


21. You are NUMBER ONE! 

22. Uni (one) + somnus (L. for sleep) 

23. Because most people are happy when it is Friday, businesses 

want to associate themselves with that feeling. 

24. Yes, he was known for his thriftiness. 

25. Yes, they give out similar messages. 

26. A shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, often 

to benefit a charitable organization. Many thrifty people like 

to shop in thrift stores or take their used clothing there for 

resale. 

ANSWERS TO THINK LINKS 

27. Answers will vary 

28. They are the same! Each costs 50¢. 

28. The 3 for $5 cost $1.67 each; the 2 for $3 cost $1.50 

each, so they are the better buy with a savings of 17¢ a box 

28. The 5-for-$2 with a triple 20¢ coupon ( $2 - 60¢ = 

$1.40, which when divided by 5 = 28¢ each; the 4-for-$2 

with a double 40¢ coupon = 30¢ for each yogurt. 

29.1976 


31. Skirt, shirt, carpet, flower, leaf, etc. 


33. Scallops, mussels, cockles 

34. You would probably have to ask how biweekly was 

being defined by this organization. 

35. A play on “biscuit” and also indicating that using it 

will be quick 

36. U. S. government: The House of Representatives & 

the Senate; British government: House of Commons & 

House of Lords 

37. At the front of upper arm; at the back of upper leg 

38. Examples: a + b; 2x - 3y; 4ab 2 + 6ac 3 

39. The Republican and the Democratic parties 

40. To try save gas & reduce congestion, Answers will 

vary as to how many occupants must be in a vehicle. 

41. Probably because they cascaded down to the sea and 

because they contain many waterfalls 

42. The water supposedly sheets, or cascades, off the dishes 

leaving them spotless. 

43. Ai, au, ee, ei, eu, ie, oa, oi, oo, ou, ui, sh, th, wh 

44. Examples will vary but should show a person thinking 

in a way others have not. Inventors always show divergent 

thinking. 

45. Let's divide up. 

46. The Rocky Mountains are high enough that rivers on 

the east slope all drain to the east and all the rivers on the 

west side drain into the Pacific Ocean. This is another name 

for the Continental Divide. 

47. Some animals, like the Snowy Owl, live in the Arctic, 

where during the summer months the sun is up 24 

hours a day and there is no darkness. 

19

TEACHER S GUIDE - Word Web Vocabulary

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