toil (verb)Due: 09/04
After they toil in the factory, the workers want to rest and relax.
To toil means to work very hard for a long time; to move slowly and with great effort.
Synonymslabor, strive, plod, sweat, slave
Antonymsrelax, idle
Writing Prompt
The first Monday in September is a national holiday known as Labor Day. For more than a century, people have set aside this day to honor workers and to appreciate how hard they toil. What is the hardest labor you have ever done? Did you toil with your brain, your body, or both? Write about your experience.
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serendipity (noun)Due: 09/11
It was serendipity when I found $100.00 just lying in the hallway.
Serendipity means making a delightful discovery by accident.
Writing Prompt
Think of a time when you or someone you know experienced serendipity. Write about that event
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Due: 09/18
notorious (adjective)Jesse James was one of the most notorious outlaws of the Old West. /
Notorious means well known, but for negative reasons. A notorious person or event has a bad reputation.
Synonymsinfamous, disreputable, ill-famed
Antonymsfamous
Writing Prompt
Legendary bandit, Jesse James, was born on September 5, 1847. He and his outlaw gang were notorious robbers of banks, stagecoaches, stores, and trains. Create a WANTED poster for a notorious person—real or imaginary. Draw a picture of the person. Write a description of the person, telling why he or she is notorious. State what the reward is.
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trivial(adjective)Due: 10/02
The trivial mix-up shouldn’t stop us; let’s just fix it and go on.
Trivial means not important, or having little value. A trivial event is slight, small, and of no consequence.
Synonyms trifling, insignificant, petty, minorAntonyms important, significant, major
Writing Prompt /
When people make small talk or chitchat, they often discuss trivial things. Trivial things don’t matter much, but they can be easy to talk about with people you don’t know very well. Write a dialogue between two people who meet while waiting for a bus. They have a trivial conversation to pass the time.
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delectable (adjective)Due: 10/09
I can’t resist trying a piece of that delectable chocolate cake!
Delectable means very pleasing, delightful, or delicious.
Synonymsluscious, tasty, scrumptious, delicious
Antonymstasteless, unappealing, disgusting
Writing Prompt
October is National Dessert Month. Perhaps you’d like to celebrate? One way to join the festivities is to make a dessert you enjoy. Write a brief description of how this dessert looks, tastes, feels, and smells.
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heed (verb)Due: 10/16
You’d better heed the weather forecast and pack your umbrella.
To heed means to pay close attention to, listen to, or take note of.
Synonymsnotice, take to heart, observe, mindAntonymsignore, disregard
Writing Prompt /
Are you able to heed the advice other people give you? Suppose a friend is planning to go camping for the first time. What would you advise your friend to heed about this new experience? Write a detailed checklist of helpful hints for campers. For each pointer, tell why your friends should heed your advice.
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balk(verb)Due: 10/23
My little brothers always balk when Mom says that it’s time for bed.
To balk means to stop in a stubborn way and refuse to go on.
Synonymshesitate, draw back, cringe
Antonymsadvance, hurry on
Writing Prompt
If a horse balks, the rider can fall off! Imagine a funny scene in which a horse balks at the edge of a stream. You, the rider, get thrown into the water. Unhurt, but wet and annoyed, you try to coax the horse to move forward. Write what you say and do to try to get your stubborn horse to cross the stream.
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glean(verb)Due: 10/30
After the harvest, birds and animals quickly glean the leftovers.
To glean means to gather tidbits left behind by others; take in something bit by bit, such as information or knowledge.
Synonymscollect, gather, scrape together, figure out
Writing PromptIn a story, the hints that the author gives help you glean details about characters and plot. This is especially true in a “whodunit.” Read a mystery story. Write a review of it. Describe some of the hints or clues that helped you glean key information about the plot or characters. /
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balderdash(noun)Due: 11/06
They rejected my excuse, calling it total balderdash!
Balderdash is a senseless jumble of words or ideas that has no real meaning.
Synonymsnonsense, baloney, untruth, falsehood
Antonyms truth, honesty
Writing Prompt
An early meaning of balderdash was a mixture of liquids that made no sense together, such as milk and vinegar. Put on your chef’s hat. Make up a recipe for some modern-day balderdash. It can be something to eat or drink, such as a crazy sandwich, a ridiculous soup, or a disgusting dessert. List the ingredients. Tell how to combine and serve them. Be as wild as you like.
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delectable(adjective)Due: 11/06
I can’t resist trying a piece of that delectable chocolate cake!
Delectable means very pleasing, delightful, or delicious.
Synonymsluscious, tasty, scrumptious, delicious
Antonymstasteless, unappealing, disgusting
Writing Prompt
October is National Dessert Month. Perhaps you’d like to celebrate? One way to join the festivities is to make a dessert you enjoy. Write a brief description of how this dessert looks, tastes, feels, and smells.
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judicious(adjective)Due: 11/13
A judicious dash of salt makes a dish taste better, but too much salt can ruin it.
Judicious means showing, having, or using good judgment; being careful and considering the consequences.
Synonymswise, sensible, cautious
Antonymsunwise, foolish, stupid
Writing PromptThe United States Supreme Court is the highest court of law in America. It begins its year on the first Monday in October. To be a judge requires judicious thinking. A judicious person is fair-minded and hears all of the facts before making a decision. Suppose you wanted to be a judge. Could you be evenhanded? Write a letter that tells why you would make a good judge. /
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etiquette(noun)Due: 11/20
Common etiquette guides us not to eat until everyone at the table has been served.
Etiquette is the set of rules, habits, or customs for proper conduct or behavior in polite company.
Synonymsmanners, decorum, proprietyAntonymsrudeness
Writing Prompt
Etiquette expert Emily Post was born on October 3, 1873. Her 1922 book about proper behavior was a best-seller for years. The phrase according to Emily Post is used to explain good manners. Think of a question about etiquette that you might ask Emily Post. Write an imaginary dialogue between yourself and her. Include your questions and comments, as well as the answers you think she would give.
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indisposed (adjective)Due: 11/27
Our teacher is indisposed, so we have a substitute today.
Indisposed means too sick or weak to perform one’s normal duties; unwilling
Synonymsunder the weather, illAntonymswell, healthy /
Writing Prompt
The third week in October is National Health Education Week. During this time, people learn more about how to stay healthy and what to do if they become indisposed. When you are indisposed, are there certain things you do or don’t do? Foods you eat or drink? Clothes you wear? Write about a personal experience you had being sick. Tell how you passed the time and what you did to get better.
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pandemonium(noun)Due: 12/04
There was pandemonium in town when our team won the World Series.
Pandemonium means a wild uproar, a noisy confusion, or a disorderly outburst.
Writing Prompt
Every fall, overjoyed baseball fans break into pandemonium over the excitement of the World Series. Pretend you are a sports reporter. Write about an imaginary championship game. Tell how fans reacted when the home team came from behind to win in the last moments.
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cache (noun)Due: 12/11
The dusty trunk in the attic holds a cache of old costumes and hats.
A cache is a hiding place for such things as goods, treasures, or food; hidden items that have been set aside.
Synonymsstore, supply, reserve, collectionWriting Prompt
It can be very exciting—and intriguing—to discover a cache. You can’t help but wonder who put the items there, and why. How did the cache remain undiscovered? Write a creative story about coming upon a cache of something (your choice). Describe what you found, how you found it, and how it may have gotten there. /
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incognito (adverb)Due: 12/18
The star went to the movies incognito to avoid being mobbed by fans.
Incognito means in disguise, or with one’s true identity hidden.
Synonymsundercover, disguised, anonymouslyAntonymsopenly /
Writing Prompt
Imagine being a superstar—an actor, musician, athlete, or public figure. You want to attend an ordinary event, such as a movie, or go shopping at the mall. But you know that your presence would cause a scene. You decide to go incognito so that nobody will notice you. Write about this experience. Tell how you hid your identity.
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