sect =cut; separate

bisect To cut into two pieces

We will bisect the apple so we each get half to eat We will bisect the apple so we each get half to eat. When we bisect the watermelon we will see lines of symmetry.

Try it! If I bisect the _____ then I can share it with _______.

dissect To cut apart for the purpose of investigation

Let’s try to use the word: I would like to dissect a _________ because _________. OR I would NOT like to dissect a _______ because _______.

insect A class of small arthropod animals that has three separate sections to their bodies: head, thorax, abdomen

The insect surprised me by fluttering into my path The insect surprised me by fluttering into my path. Many children like to search for an insect or two outside.

Try it! The insect flew into the ______ because _______.

intersection The point at which two lines or roads meet and cut across each other

The intersection was a dangerous place to cross due to the busy traffic. My mom told me to wait for her at the intersection so she could help me cross the street.

Try it! At an intersection, I should __________ so I am safe. The intersection near ________ is very busy because ____________.

section A separate part of something

I read the first section of my book in one hour I read the first section of my book in one hour. My mom gave me one section of the living room to clean, and she gave my brother the other section.

Try it! The classroom is divided into sections so/because _______________. The man cleaned the house in sections because ________.

sectional A couch that is made up of separate pieces

We like to split our sectional into three different pieces around the living room. Their new sectional can barely fit in their living space.

Try it! The gigantic sectional is great for _______. The _______ sectional fits perfectly in the _________.

sector A separate part of a society, group, or area

Being park ranger put Dusty in charge of the park sector in town. People debate if education is better in the public or private sector.

Try it! In sector 7, they ______________________. (What do they do? Be creative.) Mrs. Cabaj works in the public _________ because she is a school employee.

transect To cut across something

Mom will transect the cake carefully so she doesn’t mess up the frosting. She used scissors to transect her paper.

Try it! The children transect the playground to _____________. (Why would they do this?)

trisect To cut into three separate pieces

Bill asked his mom to trisect the pizza so he could share it with two friends. Mom thought trisecting the pizza was too piggy of Bill and his friends. 

Try it! I needed to trisect the pie so/because ___________________. Tri in trisect means ___________ and sect means _________.

vivisection Surgery on living animals; medical research that involves cutting into living animals to study organs, tissues, or diseases

The vet declared the vivisection necessary for the cat’s survival. The cat came through the vivisection in improved health.

Try it! The doctor had to perform a vivisection because ______________. Performing a vivisection would be _____________. (How would you feel about doing one?)