Stem Word Contract

Name:______

STEM WORD CONTRACT

REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS: You are required to complete each of the following assignments correctly and completely for each stem word list you receive. You will have access to each list’s activities via my web page if you lose your list.

Night 1 – Dictionary – Put your stem words in your dictionary on the appropriate pages. Include the stem, meaning origin, and the list number. Be sure to number your stem words as you put them in your dictionary. You are to keep your dictionary in a 70 page spiral notebook or portfolio. You will need 3 pages for each letter of the alphabet as your dictionary will follow you through 8th grade. Example: (This would be on your “A” page)

StemMeaning OriginList #

1. antebeforeLatin1

2. antiagainstGreek1

3. archy governmentGreek2

Night 2 – Flashcards: Make flashcards with stem and sample words on one side, meaning on the other side.

Night 3 – For this assignment, you have a choice of the following activities:

ABC Order Three Times Each With Meaning: Write your stems and their meaning 3 x each on a sheet of notebook paper. Be sure to put the words in ABC order, number each word, and skip lines between numbered words.

Example:

1. ante – before2. anti – against

ante – before anti – against

3. bi – two4. etc.

bi – two

Creative Way: Create a unique way to remember each of your stem words. You may draw and color pictures or use graphics showing the stem in a word and how the meaning ties in, you may create a silly sentence to help you remember them – for example: a creative way to remember the stem “ante” which means “before” might be: “My ante was born before my unke.” Be sure both the stem and meaning stand out and that both are used in your example. You can use a combination of the above as long as you use all 25 stems and their meanings.

Another Activity: You may create your own activity in which you use all 25 stems and their meanings. Be sure to get approval from your teacher first.

Night 4 – Sentences: You will be given 7 sentences using a real word containing a stem or stems from the current list we are studying. Read each sentence given. The underlined word in each sentence contains a stem from the current list. Using your knowledge of the stem’s meaningANDcontext clues, guess what the underlined word means and explain your answer.Your answer must be written in a complete sentence. Then, look the word up and write the dictionary’s definition along with the part of speech for the word. The dictionary definition MUST match how the word is used in the sentence. Be sure to skip a line between numbered answers.

Example: The submarine arrived at the seaport in 2 hours. (You do not need to copy the sentence from your handout.)

1. Asubmarinemust be a boat that goes under the water because sub means under (stem and meaning)and a seaport is by the water (context clues).

Dictionary definition: something that functions or operates underwater

Part of Speech: noun

Night 5 – Glogster Activity: For this activity (beginning with list 3), you will use technology to complete a glogster for a word containing a stem or stems from the current list. Your word will be assigned to you. You must have 5 parts to your glogster. You are to complete one activity from each category and 2 of your choice from the given activities.

Category 1: a. part of speech b. synonyms c. antonyms

Category 2: a. graphic representation with explanation b. variations of the word c. explaining how other stems are incorporated into the word d. relationship to everyday life

Category 3: a. self-created original passage (rap/poem/paragraph) b. create a complete analogy (4 words) with type and explanation of why it is that type

Night 6 –Writing: You will create a theme/genre based piece of writing. In your creation, you MUST use at least 10 words (not just stems) containing stems from the current list. These words must be used correctly. Be sure to underline/highlight/circle your words so they are easily identifiable.

Night 7 – Analogies:Copy the analogies and all four answer choices on a clean sheet of paper. Leave a space between each pair of words. (In some cases, you may be given a handout with the analogies.) Show evidence of thinking by circling the stems in the words and writing their meanings above them. Complete thegiven analogies by circling/highlighting the correct answer. Be sure to explain your reason or give the analogy type. Examples are from list 1:

reason/type: reason/type:

1. interstellar : stellar :: 2. biped : bicycle ::

submarine : marine quadruped : automobile

interstate : intrastate rectangle : tetragon

mortar : bricks binary : unitary

intracellular : cell biceps : triceps

Tests on the stems will be given approximately every 3 weeks.

STUDY NIGHTLY FOR TESTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tests will be cumulative. Each test will have some stems from previous lists.

THIS CONTRACT IS TO BE KEPT IN YOUR STEM SECTION OF YOUR BINDER OR IN YOUR DICTIONARY AT ALL TIMES!!!

Student Signature:______

Parent Signature:______