English 9 - Mr. Ubriaco

You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture.
    Just get people to stop reading them.
~ Ray Bradbury

Each quarter you will learn at least five new vocabulary words to incorporate into your speaking and writing (for example). These words will be of your own choosing; they should be words you discover during educated reading and speaking.  You will record these words in your vocabulary composition book designated for this purpose.  You should put just one vocabulary word on each side of the page.  You must follow the format I prescribe.

• For each word, you will complete a detailed journal entry that includes:
• the source of your word (title and author of book, newspaper, magazine, article, name of speaker, title of movie, etc.)
• the page number (if applicable)
• the context of the sentence(s), copied word for word with quotation marks around it
• your guess as to what the word means based on the context clues
• the correct dictionary definition for the word based on the context and one other definition
• the part of speech
• the other forms of the word (walk: walked, walking, walks)
• at least one synonym
• list the prefix and/or suffix
• the connotation of the word (positive, negative, neutral)
• an interesting sentence of your own that shows you know how to use this word effectively

Because this assignment takes the place of a workbook and quiz program, I expect you to be careful and complete with your work.  At mid-quarter time, at least ten words are due if you are working towards an A.  I will collect your journal and grade this portion.

Special Reminder:  You should not use proper names or foreign words in your journal.  Your words must come from a source sentence whether it is a book, magazine, television, parent, etc.

Grading

I will grade this project using a contract method; in other words, you may choose to earn a grade in either the C, B, or A range.  All work must be complete and correct regardless of the portion of the assignment you choose to complete.  A journal that fails to meet the standards of C will work will receive and F.  Of course your grade will reflect the quality as well as the quantity of your work.

“A” (90%-100%): 20 words each quarter/ 10 due at mid-quarter

“B” (80%-89%): 15 words each quarter/ 7 due at mid-quarter

“C” (70%-79%): 10 words each quarter/ 5 due at mid-quarter

Your entries will not be graded if they are not in your vocabulary journal.  If any part of the entry is missing, you will lose points.  Please see the rubric to see how your entries will be graded.

Vocabulary Journal Sample Entry

Word: incomparable

Source: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, p.117

Context: “Out of the corner of his eye Gatsby saw that the blocks of the sidewalk really formed a ladder and mounted to a secret place above the trees - he could climb to it, if he climbed alone, and once there he could suck on the pap of life, gulp down the incomparable milk of wonder.”

My Guess:  unlike anything else

Dictionary Definition: 1. Without equal, matchless 2. not able to be compared

Part of Speech: adjective

Forms of the Word: incomparably

Synonym: peerless, unrelated, incomparable, incommensurable

Prefix and/or Suffix: pre- in, suffix - able

Connotation: positive

My Sentence: The voice of Nina Simone is incomparable to anyone I have ever heard before.