Kae Treadway

December 2004

Grade 10

Words selected from The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig

VOCABULARY WORD WHERE IS IT IN OUR TEXT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

austere p.115 “..even in that austere time we accumulated more than our bags could hold”

People or things that are austere are cold and strict. They could also be plain (not decorated much).

barrage p.6 “a barrage of smells coming from the cook stove”

If you are in a barrage you are under heavy fire! You overwhelmed with more bullets, words, blows or whatever you are being barraged with than you can handle.

dour p.115 “The dingy little hut with its two tiny dark rooms was occupied by two dour sisters and an equally dour little boy.”

A person who is dour acts unhappy and harsh, disagreeable and stern.

egregious p.109 “As if she had committed an egregious social blunder, she blushed and stopped herself.”

Something that is egregious is really bad, so bad that people notice it, comment on it and ore often offended by it.

opulent p.2 “parks and churches with gold and red towers built by Italian architects in an opulent style..”

Something that is opulent is luxurious, extravagant and obviously very expensive.

ostentatious p.125 “I scratched my head ostentatiously; I bit my braids; I pretended their odor was offensive to me.”

Being ostentatious is making a big deal about something to show it off

surreptitiously

p.112 “old women were sometimes to be seen surreptitiously carrying bread under their shawls..”

Something that is done surreptitiously is done secretly or in a sneaky way to try to trick someone.

VOCABULARY WORD WHERE IS IT IN OUR TEXT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

austere p.115 “..even in that austere time we accumulated more than our bags could hold”

barrage p.6 “a barrage of smells coming from the cook stove”

dour p.115 “The dingy little hut with its two tiny dark rooms was occupied by two dour sisters and an equally dour little boy.”

egregious p.109 “As if she had committed an egregious social blunder, she blushed and stopped herself.”

opulent p.2 “parks and churches with gold and red towers built by Italian architects in an opulent style..”

ostentatious p.125 “I scratched my head ostentatiously; I bit my braids; I pretended their odor was offensive to me.”

surreptitiously

p.112 “old women were sometimes to be seen surreptitiously carrying bread under their shawls..”

DAY 1: Activity: Making Choices/Alike & Different

With which word or words would you most like to be described?

With which word or words would you least like to be described?

Which words might mean you are in trouble?

Which words would you not like to describe your next substitute teacher?

What is the same about the meanings of dour and austere?

What is different about dour and austere?

What is the same about the meanings of opulent and ostentatious?

What is different about the meanings of opulent and ostentatious?

DAY 2Review:Every student gets a small piece of paper with all seven words on it. The teacher instructs them to…

Circle the word that means…Underline the word that means…

Activity: Word Networks

Each group is assigned a word and given chart paper & markers.

What situations, things, pictures or other words come to mind when you think about your word?

DAY 3Review:

Words are written on pieces of paper and placed in an interesting container (witch’s cauldron if it’s October, heart-shaped basket in February, etc.)

After all words are chosen, I’ll call on the first student to give the class his or her definition.

Activity: Forms of WordsWorking in small groups, generate alternate forms for each vocabulary word. Be prepared to talk about how these words would sound in a sentence.

NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB ADVERBdour

egregiousostentatious

surreptitiouslyaustereopulent

barrage

Forms of Words Key:

NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB ADVERBdour

egregiousostentatious

surreptitiouslyaustereopulent

barrage

Speed Round:Do not turn your paper over until I tell you to do so.You will have 90 seconds to complete the speed round.Write true or false for each statement given.You will earn one point for each correct response.

1. An opulent house costs a lot of money though it really doesn’t look like it from the outside.

2. Most children are attracted to dour pre-school teachers.

3. The more honest and innocent a person is, the more likely it is that he will act surreptitiously.

4. Celebrities with opulent life styles want their fiends to be impressed with their great wealth.

5. If my grandmother is austere, she doesn’t show much love or affection.

6. Many people who are dour could also be called austere.

7. Most parents are proud when their daughters do egregious things in public.

8. Bunker Hill students often find themselves in a barrage of flashing cameras from the paparazzi.

9. Prisons are full of people who have committed egregious crimes.

10. People who are ostentatious are often proud of their opulent possessions.

11. The Biltmore House is known for its austere furnishings.

12. Most people feel frightened and nervous in a barrage.

13. Most people who are austere are also ostentatious.

14. A spy often works surreptitiously.

DAY 4:Review: Teacher says: “I’m thinking of a word that means…”Students provide the words using notes.

Activity: Fly Swat GameWords are written on flashcards and taped to a wall.

Students are divided into two groups.

One student represents each group by coming forward and taking a fly swat.Teacher calls out a definition.

The first of the two student representatives to touch the correct word with the fly swat earns a point for his or her team!

DAY 5: ReviewAll words are written on the white board. Students volunteer to stand up and “be Mrs. Treadway” teaching classmates the definition. (I’m prepared to have a good sense of humor about their mocking my mannerisms!)

Activity: Questions & Examples

Why might people not enjoy being around a dour person?

What would you do if you were a parent and your four-year-old surreptitiously slipped both hands behind his back? Why?

Describe an opulent car or house.

What would you actually enjoy being barraged with?

Describe jewelry that is not ostentatious.

What actions are considered egregious at your home?

Why would students be less likely to want to attend an austere school?

Vocabulary Assessment

Choose a person or animal that you associate with each vocabulary word below. Then, explain your answer. To get full credit, your reason must be complete enough to demonstrate an understanding of the word!

Vocabulary word Animal or person Reason for choosing that

animal or person

austere

ostentatious

egregious

Which word would you associate with each of the descriptions below? Again, explain your choice!

barrage opulent surreptitious dour egregious

Description Word you chose

Reason for your choice

A bitter old lady who is in a bad mood a lot and hates children as well as small animals

A soldier desperately fighting in a war

A mansion worth $10 million

A jewel thief

Choose the best response or responses.

If you were ostentatious, you would probably…a. show off what you haveb. not care if others knew about youc. be rich

Which place or places would be the most austere?a. a birthday party for a childb. a hospital roomc. a disco club

Which action(s) do most faculty members at Bunker Hill consider egregious?

a. passing gad loudlyb. shouting at a pep rallyc. cursing in class

Vocabulary Assessment

Choose a person or animal that you associate with each vocabulary word below. Then, explain your answer. To get full credit, your reason must be complete enough to demonstrate an understanding of the word!

Vocabulary word Animal or person Reason for choosing that

animal or person

austere

ostentatious

egregious

Which word would you associate with each of the descriptions below? Again, explain your choice!

barrage opulent surreptitious dour egregious

Description Word you chose

Reason for your choice

A bitter old lady who is in a bad mood a lot and hates children as well as small animals

A soldier desperately fighting in a war

A mansion worth $10 million

A jewel thief

Choose the best response or responses.

If you were ostentatious, you would probably…d. show off what you havee. not care if others knew about youf. be rich

Which place or places would be the most austere?d. a birthday party for a childe. a hospital roomf. a disco club

Which action(s) do most faculty members at Bunker Hill consider egregious?

d. passing gad loudlye. shouting at a pep rallyf. cursing in class

VOCABULARY WORD WHERE IS IT IN OUR TEXT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

agonize p.121 “but a breeze or two reminiscent of spring on its way, however agonizingly slow, began to come up from the south…”

When people agonize, they are miserable because of some great suffering or pain (in their mind or body).

bleak p.118 “The bleak northern afternoon was fading when I spotted a stooped figure approaching our hut.”

Something that is bleak is not warm or cheerful. It is lifeless and cold.

dexterous p.136 “Using his stick dexterously, he hobbled off to his corner on one leg.”

Someone who is dexterous skillfully uses her hands, mind or body quickly and easily.

pariah Ch. 6 & 7At first Esther is treated as a pariah at school.Vanya the Bum is treated as a pariah by the whole community.

A pariah is someone people do not want to associate with. Society rejects a pariah.

quibble p.86 “Mrs. Kaftal, listened to them quibbling as husbands and wives often do on the eve of a trip.”

When people quibble, they criticize or complain about unimportant or silly things.

reminisce p.121 “but a breeze or two reminiscent of spring on its way, however agonizingly slow, began to come up from the south…”

When a person reminisces, he thinks about or talks about past experiences.

taciturn p.118 “Until now, they had remained as taciturn as usual, saying nothing, asking nothing.”

A person who is taciturn does not talk much. He is quiet and doesn’t communicate with others.

VOCABULARY WORD WHERE IS IT IN OUR TEXT?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

agonize p.121 “but a breeze or two reminiscent of spring on its way, however agonizingly slow, began to come up from the south…”

bleak p.118 “The bleak northern afternoon was fading when I spotted a stooped figure approaching our hut.”

dexterous p.136 “Using his stick dexterously, he hobbled off to his corner on one leg.”

pariah Ch. 6 & 7At first Esther is treated as a pariah at school.Vanya the Bum is treated as a pariah by the whole community.

quibble p.86 “Mrs. Kaftal, listened to them quibbling as husbands and wives often do on the eve of a trip.”

reminisce p.121 “but a breeze or two reminiscent of spring on its way, however agonizingly slow, began to come up from the south…”

taciturn p.118 “Until now, they had remained as taciturn as usual, saying nothing, asking nothing.”

DAY 1: Activity: Word Associations (using literary characters from previous works).

Which word shows how Quasimodo was treated in Hunchback of Notre Dame? How?

Which word describes what Esmerelda and Quasimodo do when they talk about their childhoods?

Which word goes with the character Clause Frollo in Hunchback?

Which word describes Esmerelda when she dances?

Which word describes what Oedipus and Jocasta do when Jocasta wants Oedipus to stop investigating his past?

Which word describes Oedipus when he kills Laius and all but one of his guards?

What does Tiresius do when he knows the truth about Lauis’ killer but he doesn’t want to tell?

DAY 2Review:Selected students pick a “scroll” (parchment rolled and tied with a ribbon).Each scroll has a definition on it.Students read the definition to the class, and we’ll see which scholar can identify the word.

Activity: Word SortStudents will work in groups. Each group will have an overhead transparency with this chart on it. Students record the word in the correct column.

NOUN ADJECTIVE VERB ADVERB

DAY 3Review:

Words are written on the board. I read the slightly altered definitions aloud. Then, I call on students to identify the word.

Activity: Synonym Chart

In pairs, complete the synonym chart making sure that your synonyms are the same part of speech.

Vocabulary Word Synonymsquibble

bleak

taciturn

reminisce

pariah

agonize

Speed Round:Do not turn your paper over until I tell you to do so.You will have 90 seconds to complete the speed round.You will earn one point for each correct response.

Sample:

UGLYa. a beauty queenb. a hunchback with warts

1. DEXTEROUSc. a lady taking her first piano lessond. a lady performing classical piano at a concert

2. TACITURNa. an out-going student who is with close friendsb. a shy student on hr first day of school

3. QUIBBLEa. a couple in love enjoying a romantic Valentine’s

Day dateb. a couple who is stressed over money and tired

because of a new baby

4. BLEAKa. being all alone after you have broken up with a

boyfriend or girlfriendb. being alone in your house with plenty of food, a

good movie and no one to bother you

5. AGONIZEa. an easy choiceb. a difficult choice

6. REMINISCENTa. reading a journal you kept from middle schoolb. reading the new book Mrs. Treadway just assigned

7. PARIAHa. a person with a disease that is popular because

celebrities like to raise money forb. a person with a highly contagious, deadly, ignored

disease

8. DEXTEROUSa. an 80-year old Rocket scientist solving math

equationsb. an 80-year old heart patient who is shaking

because he can’t find his medicine

9. TACITURNa. a person who usually whispers or speaks in a quiet

toneb. A person who usually doesn’t say much to others

10. QUIBBLEa. to fuss and complain about small issuesb. to debate loud and long about a life-changing

decisision

11. BLEAKa. a trip to the Alzheimer’s wing at the Nursing Homeb. a trip to Carowinds with your friends on a beautiful

day

12. AGONIZEa. could involve a decision or a toothacheb. could involve something that you don’t really care

about

13. REMINISCENTa. thinking or talking about the present or the futureb. thinking or talking about the past

14. PARIAHa. someone who used to be popular and in on his

way to being well-known againb. someone who is bullied, made fun of or ignored

DAY 4:Review: Show flashcards of words and call on students to tell me anything they can about the definition without using notes.

Activity: Sentence Stems A famous dexterous person is _______________

because________________. I quibble with other students about_______________. Most people treat __________ like a pariah because

______________________. Describe a person whose hopes for the future are

bleak. I like to reminisce about _____________ because

___________________. I once agonized about the decision to

_________________ because_______________.

DAY 5: ReviewFlashcards with words will be placed on students’ desks when they enter. At review time, students stand up, show the class the word, and explain the definition.

Activity: Alike and Different

What is different about taciturn and dexterous?

What is different about taciturn and quibble?

What is different about agonize and reminisce?

What is different about bleak and dexterous?

What is the same about bleak and pariah?

What is the same about taciturn and agonize?

Vocabulary Assessment

If you were involved in an agonizing situation, would like to reminisce about it? Why or why not?

Would your outlook on life be bleak if you were a pariah? Why or why not?

Which would you rather someone use to describe you?Bleak, taciturn, pariah, or dexterous?Explain your choice.

Describe the opposite of each action word (or verb) below. By the way, simply inserting the work “not” in front of the definition I gave you in not acceptable.

quibble

reminisce

agonize

Match one of the given vocabulary words with each animal in the chart below. Then, explain your answer. To get full credit, your reason must be complete enough to demonstrate an understanding of the word!

bleak dexterouspariah taciturnquibble

Animal Vocabulary word Reason for choosing that

word

skunk

squirrel

rabbit

Choose the best response or responses.

If you were friends with a taciturn person, you would not expect him or her to

a. be the life of the partyb. volunteer to answer many questions in classc. start a conversation with a new student

If you had a bleak outlook on life, you would feela. depressedb. hopelessc. joyful

If a person is a pariah, he isa. surrounded by friendsb. probably not happyc. lonely

When a person reminisces, hea. has to remember the pastb. has to be with other peoplec. has to write things down

A person who is dexterous a. could be an athleteb. could be in a where chairc. could be dead

Vocabulary Assessment

If you were involved in an agonizing situation, would like to reminisce about it? Why or why not?

Would your outlook onlife be bleak if you were apariah? Why or why not?

Which would you rather someone use to describe you?Bleak, taciturn, pariah, or dexterous?Explain your choice.

Describe the opposite of each action word (or verb) below. By the way, simply inserting the work “not” in front of the definition I gave you in not acceptable.

quibble

reminisce

agonize

Match one of the given vocabulary words with each animal in the chart below. Then, explain your answer. To get full credit, your reason must be complete enough to demonstrate an understanding of the word!

bleak dexterouspariah taciturnquibble

Animal Vocabulary word Reason for choosing that

animal or person

skunk

squirrel

rabbit

Choose the best response or responses.

If you were friends with a taciturn person, you would not expect him or her to

d. be the life of the partye. volunteer to answer many questions in class

f. start a conversation with a new student

If you had a bleak outlook on life, you would feeld. depressede. hopelessf. joyful

If a person is a pariah, he isd. surrounded by friendse. probably not happyf. lonely

When a person reminisces, hed. has to remember the paste. has to be with other peoplef. has to write things down

A person who is dexterous d. could be an athletee. could be in a where chairf. could be dead