Inspired by Atlantic writer Mark Bowden's "In Praise of Fancy Words," Southern California Public Radio talk show host Larry Mantle invited listeners to call in or post their favorite words on his show. The result is "In praise and defense of grandiose, flowery, sesquipedalian words," a pretty fantastic list of words people say they love to know. We're featuring it as List of the Week!Continue reading...
The day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress to ask for a declaration of war, famously referring to December 7th as, "a date that will live in infamy." Learn the definition of "infamy" as well as other vocabulary from this historic moment in our nation's history with this interactive vocabulary list drawn from FDR's speech.Continue reading...
As we honor the life and memory of Nelson Mandela, who died today, we remember his leadership, his forgiveness, and his ability to unite the people of South Africa and inspire the world. We also remember his words.Continue reading...
With Black Friday sales lower than last year, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journalare writing about our nation's increasing poverty via stories on debts we can't pay and demands from low-wage earners for more. Learn ten words drawn from these stories here.Continue reading...
We've selected a set of vocabulary lists drawn from Laurie Halse Anderson's classic young adult novel Speak as our List of the Week, and we urge you to look specifically at the context examples. Not all context examples are created equal, but Anderson's are special. Here's why.Continue reading...
To fully understand unfolding news stories on the Thanksgiving storm, the Iran accord, Healthcare.gov, and expanding AP course enrollment, learn ten key words taken from New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post coverage with Iranians Turned "Avuncular"? Ten Words in This Week's News.Continue reading...
Our List of the Week comes from teacher request for a list based on vocabulary from David Almond's Skellig, an award-winning and compelling children's novel adapted for the stage, the opera, and film.Continue reading...