The Superteacher Project: Chapters 9–14

by Gordon Korman
When a new teacher arrives at a New Jersey middle school, students are curious about why he has a grandfatherly assistant, doesn't smile or eat, and knows so much about everything.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–8, Chapters 9–14, Chapters 15–20, Chapters 21–25, Chapter 26–Epilogue
40 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. slough
    cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
    Teachers are sloughing off unwanted duties on AIDACT.
  2. parameter
    any factor defining a system and determining its performance
    This results in AIDACT being involved in activities outside the parameters of the project, including even coaching a sport.
  3. solemn
    dignified and somber in manner or character
    Detention sure is different now that the new teacher is running things. It used to have a solemn atmosphere, where the lawbreakers of the school went to be punished for their crimes. Now it’s turned into a game of Stump Mr. Aidact, who seems to have memorized every song lyric in history.
  4. improvise
    manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
    The day of the Halloween dance isn’t much of a school day because most classes are working on last-minute decorations for the gym. The teachers aren’t thrilled about it, but the PTA ran out of money, so we have to improvise.
  5. chronic
    habitual
    “For the dance,” supplies Mia, who spends almost as much time in detention as Stinky, due to chronic lateness.
  6. mystified
    totally perplexed and mixed up
    Stinky is mystified. “When’s that?”
  7. blare
    make a loud noise
    I almost break my neck whipping my head around to glare at him, my Oliver Alert blaring.
  8. assortment
    a collection containing a variety of kinds of things
    There are a few other Reapers, and the usual assortment of ghosts, wizards, and witches.
  9. sidle
    move unobtrusively or furtively
    Nathan sidles up to me. “Check out Perkins. He brought that giant briefcase. I wonder what he keeps in there?”
  10. aggrieve
    cause to feel distress
    “Everybody thinks my name is Stinky—which it’s not!” he tells us with his usual aggrieved expression.
  11. brandish
    move or swing back and forth
    He brandishes the fish and then holds it up to his nose.
  12. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    “I feel like we should be doing something, but I have no idea what,” Nathan muses nervously.
  13. jut
    extend out or project in space
    Nathan stiffens his jaw, which makes the bony “chin” of his skeleton mask jut out.
  14. overwhelm
    overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
    It’s the perfect kind of party for sneaking out of, since the teachers are completely overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.
  15. adamant
    impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason
    I’m adamant. “You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t take a ride. It’s epic!”
  16. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
    I open up the custodian’s closet and pull out two shovels.
    Nathan is distraught. “What are those for?”
  17. incriminating
    charging or suggestive of guilt or blame
    I hope nobody notices two Grim Reapers, carrying shovels instead of scythes, heading for the athletic field to bury incriminating evidence.
  18. stub
    strike accidentally against an object
    The sandpit is in the middle, where the jumping events are held, but we have trouble finding it until Nathan stubs his toe and falls face-first into it.
  19. snarky
    rudely sarcastic and mocking in tone or manner
    “Now, what have we here?” asks a deep, snarky voice from behind me.
  20. lament
    express grief verbally
    “Now what are we going to do?” Nathan laments.
  21. trudge
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    We pick ourselves up off the ground, grab the shovels, and begin to trudge back to the school.
  22. bash
    an uproarious party
    The Halloween dance is shaping up into one of the greatest middle school bashes of all time.
  23. implement
    a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specific purpose
    “We’ve still got the shovels!”
    I stare at the muddy implement in my hands.
  24. queue
    a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
    As we make our way into the long queue, the deejay brings up the lights in the gym, and that’s when I get my first good look at myself and Nathan.
  25. parquet
    a floor made of a patterned wood inlay
    Heart sinking, I try to walk in Nathan’s footsteps to avoid leaving a second set of muddy prints on the parquet floor.
  26. deadpan
    deliberately impassive in manner
    His big wig topples off his head and Nathan catches it neatly with his shovel.
    "That's what the shovels are for,” I supply, deadpan.
  27. speculate
    talk over conjecturally, or review in an idle or casual way
    The general buzz of conversation covers our silence as kids speculate on their favorites to win the contest.
  28. smattering
    a small number or amount
    There’s a smattering of applause, but mostly, a confused murmur ripples through the gym.
  29. ovation
    enthusiastic recognition
    Luckily, our ovation covers the sound of Kevin’s big mouth: “But I thought they’re supposed to be Grim Reapers!”
  30. casually
    in an unconcerned manner
    “Oliver, Nathan. I’d like a word with you two pupils.”
    “What’s up, Mr. Aidact?” Oliver says casually.
  31. brazen
    face with defiance or impudence
    Oliver’s eyes widen in surprise, but he tries to brazen it out.
  32. resignation
    acceptance of an unpleasant but inevitable situation
    “Two more weeks of detentions,” Mr. Aidact pronounces.
    Oliver heaves a heavy sigh of resignation, but it’s an act.
  33. transcript
    an official record of a student’s academic performance
    Oh, I know it’ll look great on my school transcript.
  34. piercing
    very perceptive
    He stands stock-still and perfectly straight, watching every move on the field through those piercing blue eyes.
  35. clobber
    defeat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
    The Seahawks pull out their starters and sub in the backups. They clobber us too.
  36. demolish
    defeat soundly
    Surely a coach has a lot to say after watching his team get completely and utterly demolished.
  37. exploit
    use or manipulate to one's advantage
    “The goal of any competitive sport is to win. And this should be accomplished by exploiting every possible advantage—physical, mental, and strategic.”
  38. regard
    look at attentively
    We regard each other in confusion.
  39. deftly
    in an agile manner
    I aim my stick like a pool cue and deftly poke the ball away from her.
  40. sentry
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    I gesture toward the parking lot, where Mr. Aidact stands like a sentry, watching our every move.
Created on Wed Dec 13 15:08:44 EST 2023 (updated Thu Dec 14 11:08:20 EST 2023)

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