Vocab. Word Part of Speech Definition Link Word (Mnemonic Device) Example Clarification Sentence Student: Example, sentence and/or mnemonic device Phonetic Spelling word - Abashed P.O.S. - Adjective Def. - ashamed; embarrassed Link - Cash Mrs. Bean was left feeling abashed when she realized, thanks to a student’s comment, that she had a piece of spinach stuck between her two front teeth. word - Abstract P.O.S. - Adjective Def. – difficult to understand; abstruse (hidden); not applied or practical Link - Contract Because analysis can involve abstract ideas, this kind of critical thinking, instead of concrete thinking, can be difficult at times for middle school students. Art can be abstract. Andy Warhol and Van Gogh were thought to be abstract artists. word - Accrue P.O.S. - Verb Def. – to accumulate (to gain) over time Link – A Crew “Supposedly, if one eats too much potassium,” said Mrs. Hanosh, “…or has stinky feet,” interjected Ms. Estes, “he/she will accrue many mosquito bites.” Because the comment had been directed at her, Mrs. Bean defensively replied, “That’s a load of old wives’ tales, Ms. Estes, and – so why is that mosquito flying towards you – huh?”
word - Adherent P.O.S. - Noun Related words: adhere – to stick to; it’s a verb Def. – a follower of a leader; supporter Link – Adhere(glue) or (stick to) Adherents to Mrs. Bean’s rules and regulations have a much more enjoyable time in her classroom versus those who don’t adhere and have to face the wrath of the rubber chicken. word - Adroit P.O.S. - adjective Related word: Adroitly is an adverb. Def. – skillful; deft (nimble; clever) Link – Detroit- has skillful (deft) auto workers. Because they practiced, Mrs. Bean’s students adroitly delivered their debates, and this caused them to skillfully and adeptly kick the behinds of the competition…I‘m just saying…that Stanford rocks! word - Aesthetic P.O.S. - adjective Related words: Aesthetically is an adverb; aesthetics is a noun. Def. – Having to do with artistic beauty Link – Athletics can be full of aesthetics (beauty) as well as brawn. Most of the time, food needs to be aesthetically pleasing as well as flavorful to be considered enjoyable; however, there are many times where a large pile of messy, greasy goodness satisfies a craving.
word - Agog P.O.S. - adjective Def. – Highly excited by eagerness Link – eggnog – Thank goodness people only get agog for eggnog one a year. The students were all agog at the prospect of starting their own debate group because there had never been one on campus, and they really wanted to see it work. word - Ambivalence P.O.S. - noun Related words: Ambivalent is an adjective Def. – indecision; experiencing contradictory (opposite) emotions Link – You might feel this way when you have to make a tough decision – being pulled in two directions – like the ambulance. Ambivalent feelings arose when she was moving to a different school; she knew the new school would offer a better education, but she was going to miss her friends and the safety of her routines. word - Ambulatory P.O.S. - adjective Def. – capable of walking Link – Ambling – if you are ambulatory, you can amble (stroll) My ninety-nine-year-old grandmother is still ambulatory; she loves going for walks, even after several fractures, sprains and breaks from falling so many times.
word - Ascribe P.O.S. - verb Def. – to attribute to a specific cause, source, or origin Link – Tribe – the tribe ascribed the nickname “Lone Nose” to the cavalry. The students ascribed their slang and colloquialisms to their favorite TV show that they watched over and over and over…causing them to mimic and use the dialogue in context whenever the right situation arose.