2.  1. Write the word  2. Define the word, in your own words, based on context clue  3. With your partner define the word  4. Using the dictionary define the word  5. Tell what part of speech  6. A final definition  7. Test over weekly vocabulary

3.  1. Look for a root word or base word within the word you are trying to define  2. Prefixes may help: Example: re: to do again. We need to redefine our objective. in: not able/not allowed: He is incapable of understanding the complex concept.  3. Suffixes may help: Example: able: capable of: It is inconceivable that a young child can drive a car.

4.  Readers use information from text to decipher unfamiliar words. They examine clues from the selection to define unfamiliar words and phrases. Context refers to the words that come before and/or after an unfamiliar word. Sometimes when an author is introducing a concept, she will use synonyms (words that have similar meanings) to help readers make connections. Sometimes when an author is introducing a concept, she will use antonyms (words that have opposite meanings) to help readers make connections. Context may include a definition provided within the article. Examples are often provided to give readers clues about a concept. Authors often help readers visualize story ideas with descriptive details. The picture painted by the author’s description may provide clues to an unfamiliar word. If context does not provide sufficient clues, readers use reference materials to define words.

5.  1. Conceive: (verb) Ancient Greek engineers thought of ways to make new machines from older ones. For example, they conceived of and built a compound machine called the crane. Their idea combined the lever, pulley, and wheel-and-axle into one machine.  2. Inconceivable: (adj) It seemed inconceivable to me that Brenda was unaware of Andy's feeling for her, particularly after he wrote that poem for her and read it to the entire class. 

6.  3. Concept: (noun) Like Carmen, their concept of friendship was two-way, with more focus on giving than receiving. Centuries ago, the idea that the Earth was round and not flat, was a new, and sometimes dangerous, concept.  4. Conceptualize:(verb) Emma, of course, is not a particularly self-conscious character and does not conceptualize her dilemma in these terms. She must be able to conceptualize fashion and produce garments that can become trends.  This article is intended to make the connection clear based on what we can conceptualize in our everyday life. 

7.  Propose: ( verb) The roof was leaking into the house and the floor was getting wet. What do you propose to do about this. You have to do something. I propose to put a bucket where the floor is getting wet and then we will have to fix the roof.  Proposition: (noun) I have a proposition for you. If all of you finish your work, I will bring cookies. Enrique’s proposition was that he would mow the lawn for a small fee.

8.  Intend: (verb) The students intend to raise money to pay for the class trip. Do people always do what they intend to do? What do you intend to do today about the problem?  Intention: (noun)The team’s intention is to win the final game. It is my intention to help you develop the skills to win the game.

9.  Exaggerate: (verb) I just exaggerated, or stretched the truth, when I said, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.” I also exaggerated when I said that I can hit a ball clear into the next country.  Minimize: (verb) You can minimize the amount of homework you have each night if you would use your class time more efficiently. In the lunchroom we need to minimize the talking. The cafeteria gets too noisy.

11.  Minimum: (noun) One dollar is the minimum that you can donate to the fund. The minimum you can bid on the weekly prizes is 5 points.  Minimal: (adj) It takes minimal effort to smile, but the rewards are big. Which would take a minimal amount of time, sharpening a pencil or painting a house?

12.  Unique: Scientists say no two people have the same fingerprints. That means that the pattern of swirls on your fingers is unique. That painting has a very unique color scheme. It is one I have never seen before on any other painting.  Identical: You could not tell the twins apart. They were identical twins. The two test papers were identical. All the answers were the same.

13.  Dissimilar: Even though they are twins, the girls are dissimilar. A rock and a pillow are very dissimilar when it comes to texture.  Equivalent: The winter break from school is shorter than summer vacation. They are not equivalent. Two plus two is equivalent to 4.

14.  Narrate: (verb) Each student will narrate a part of the story for the audience. I will narrate to you the events that took place at the battle so listen carefully so you don’t miss any important information.  Narrator: (noun) The play has a narrator who introduces all the characters to the audience. The narrator’s voice was very quiet as she told the story of the young girl’s ordeal.

15.  Narrative: (noun) The assignment was to write a narrative about your first day at school.  I had tears in my eyes as I read the narrative about the young boy who died on the battlefield during the Civil War.  Narration: (noun) The concert will include music and narration about the history of our country. I had to give a narration on how I saw the fireman save the child in the burning building.

16.  Trait: Creativity is a trait that most artists have.A valuable trait to have is a good memory.  Characteristic: Fast action is a characteristic of a soccer game. One of the characteristics of a police man is the ability to make decisions under pressure.

17.  Characterize: You could characterize life in a city as noisy and busy. The movie Unbroken could be characterized as intense and very sad.  Property: One property of oxygen is that it has not smell. A diamond has the property of being very hard.

18.  Option: Pizza is one option for lunch today.You always have the option of not doing that assignment. My options for a vacation home were very limited.  Optional: Attending school is not optional for students. Completing the last five questions was optional for the students.

19.  Essential: Learning to read is an essential skill. Breathing is for life. Food and water are two essentials for every living person.  Vital: Getting enough calcium is vital for strong bones. It is very vital that you get enough sleep each night.