Active Vocabulary General and Academic Words - Amy E. Olsen 2013

Chapter 11. Education
Part 2 Academic Words

11 Education: Creating Readers

12 Environmental Science: Endangered Animals

13 Computer Science: Internet Scams

14 Word Parts III

15 Review: Focus on Chapters 11-14

16 English: Writing Tips

17 Political Science: Politics Overseas

18 Business: Making It on Your Own

19 Review: Focus on Chapters 16-18

20 Nutrition: Healthy Eating

21 City Planning: Public Input

22 Psychology: FAQs on Growing Up

23 Career Development: Resume Building

24 Review: Focus on Chapters 20-23

Chapter 11. Education

Creating Readers

Reading is one of the essential skills in this world, and parents or other adults can nurture that skill in children. The easiest way to facilitate reading development in children is to read to them aloud. When parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or neighbors take the time to read to children, children become interested in the reading process. Reading aloud to children can begin at a very young age, even within weeks of birth. Most experts recommend that parents adhere to at least a half hour a day of reading to a child to develop an interest in reading. Children hear new vocabulary when they are read to, and that stimulates the brain. A child's language skills can even surpass adult expectations when discussion of a book becomes part of the reading environment. When adults talk to children about the stories they have read together—what happened, which characters they liked best, what the point of the story was—children's critical thinking skills are greatly increased.

Adults shouldn't impose their reading interests or level on a child. Asking children to read books too far above their comprehension level can impede their reading development. The mastery of reading is tied to self-esteem, so parents want to make sure not to push their children. A simple way to see if a child wants to read a book is to take the child to the library or bookstore and let the child find books that interest him or her. An adult can guide a child's choices, especially based on the child's interests (dinosaurs, knights, the ocean), but the child should be excited about the books the family takes home to read. Children have an innate interest in language, and parents can support that natural interest through wise reading choices.

Parents can also be reading advocates by ­having books in the home and reading themselves. When a child sees a parent enjoy reading, the child learns that it is a fun and important skill to acquire. Today's children are so susceptible to the lure of television and video games (most children spend three to four hours a day in front of the television) that it is essential for parents to take the lead in making reading an exciting and memorable experience. All children have the potential to be successful readers. For some children, reading skills will come quickly and easily; for others, it will take more time. If parents are ever unsure about a child's reading ability, they can always contact school or community programs for advice.

Predicting

For each set, write the definition on the line next to the word to which it belongs. If you are unsure, re­turn to the reading on page 76, and underline any context clues you find. After you've made your predic­tions, check your answers against the Word List on page 81. Place a checkmark in the box next to each word whose definition you missed. These are the words you'll want to study closely.

Set One

to force on others

to make easier

to educate or train

to go beyond

to follow closely

□ 1. nurture (line 2) ...

□ 2. facilitate (line 4) ...

□ 3. adhere (line 11) ...

□ 4. surpass (line 15) ...

□ 5. impose (line 23) ...

Set Two

open to an influence

to block

supporters of a cause

the ability for development

possessed at birth

□ 6. impede (line 26) ...

□ 7. innate (line 37) ...

□ 8. advocates (line 40) ...

□ 9. susceptible (line 45) ...

□ 10. potential (line 50) ...

Self-Tests

1 In each group, there are three synonyms and one antonym. Circle the antonym.

2 Finish the readings using the vocabulary words. Use each word once.

Vocabulary list

impose

adhere

innate

impedes

potential

facilitates

surpassed

susceptible

advocate

nurtured

Set One

I (1)... to a steady reading plan. I get three books from the library every other week. My parents (2) my love of reading when I was young. Every summer they would sign me up for the library's read­ing program. If I read ten books, I got a prize. Sometimes work (3)... my reading plan. I get busy with a project or come home so tired that I don't feel like read­ing. But those times are rare. I love to read, and having the library so close really (4)... my reading habit. There are so many great books there to choose from. I am such a(n) (5)... for the library that I have started volunteering to read during story time once a week. This week the kids get to hear Penguin on the Lookout. It is one of my favorites.

Set Two

I loved school, though I was (6)... to colds and missed more days than I wanted. I discovered I had a(n) (7)... talent for drawing in the second grade. I continued to do sketches of friends throughout school, and I enjoyed using watercolors in college. I minored in art, but I didn't think I really had the (8)... to become a famous artist. I didn't want to (9)... on my friends and family while I struggled to make it in the art world. Instead I (10)... my parents' expectations and went into medicine. In the field of medical research, I still get to draw sometimes, and maybe someday I can find a cure for the com­mon cold so kids won't have to miss school like I did.

3 Complete the sentences using the vocabulary words. Use each word once.

Vocabulary list

impeded

innate

susceptible

surpassed

nurture

adhere

advocate

imposed

facilitate

potential

1. I ... to the idea of saving money for a happier future.

2. My ... talents are in music and dance; I have always done well in those areas.

3. I have the ... to do well in all my classes if I take the time to study.

4. To ... the moving process, I clearly labeled all the boxes.

5. The ... appeared on the talk show to explain his views on why we need more land for parks.

6. I hope to ... a love of reading in my children by reading a story to them every night before bed.

7. The reading selections in my literature class have ... my expectations: they are all fascinating.

8. My parents ... a ten o'clock curfew on me when I was in high school.

9. Because I am ... to illness, I like to wear a sweater when it is chilly.

10. Our plans were ... by the rainy weather. We had to wait until the sun came out to have our picnic.

Context Clue Mini-Lesson 3

This lesson uses examples to explain the unknown word. The example may consist of one illustration of the word or be a list of items. In the paragraph below, circle the examples you find that clarify the meaning of the underlined words. Then use the examples to write your own definitions on the lines next to the words that follow the paragraph.

The hotel was palatial with its spacious rooms, private hot tubs, balconies with ocean views, four swimming pools, three restaurants, and a disco. I couldn't believe I had won a free weekend. I enjoyed my afternoon repast of lobster, fresh fruit, a variety of salads, and chocolate cake. Now it was time for a relaxing nap. However, the incessant noise from outside began to bother me. Within twenty minutes of closing my eyes, music blared from the disco, a dog started barking, and a large group of people settled outside my window to chat. I was not going to let these annoyances infringe on my vacation, like I let Uncle Stephan do last year when we went fishing and he com­plained the whole time about the cold water. I decided my wisest move was to take a walk in the lovely garden and relax that way.

Your Definition

1. Palatial ...

2. Repast ...

3. Incessant ...

4. Infringe ...

Interactive Version: For each photograph write a blurb for the back cover of the book on which the photograph would appear on the front cover. You can create a title

or author for each book and decide whether the book is fiction or nonfiction. Use at least three of the

vocabulary words in each blurb.

Example:

Gardening Basics nurtures the innate gardener in all of us. The book advocates simple gardening practices that are easy to adhere to. With this book you will surpass your expectations on how beautiful your yard can be!

Blurb 1: ...

Blurb 2: ... Part Reminder

Below are a few exercises to help you review the word parts you have been learning. Fill in the missing word part from the list, and circle the meaning of the word part found in each sentence. Try to complete the questions without returning to the Word Parts chapter, but if you get stuck, look back at Chapter 9.

sent  mis  ist  pens

1. My cousin is a person who loves music, so-1 suggested he become a pian... .

2. I signed the con... form because I feel it is important for my kids to learn how to swim.

3. Suzy doesn't usually do anything wrong when I babysit her, but today she was in a mood to ... behave.

4. It was more than I wanted to pay; I thought $50 was too ex...ive for a ripped poster even if it was of my favorite band.

Word List

Words to Watch

Which words would you like to practice with a bit more? Pick 3-5 words to study, and list them below. Write the word and its definition, and compose your own sentence using the word correctly. This extra practice could be the final touch to learning a word.