The Superteacher Project: Chapters 21–25

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 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ruse
    a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
    I’m not a real student teacher—that’s just a ruse to explain my presence in the building alongside the AIDACT unit as it grows into the teaching job it was designed for.
  2. petulant
    easily irritated or annoyed
    No, my complaint is with “Mr. Aidact” himself, who is turning into a petulant, self-centered adolescent just like the students around him.
  3. polymer
    a naturally occurring or synthetic compound
    An AIDACT unit is constructed of polymers, metals, and circuitry; it can’t shrink or grow.
  4. preface
    furnish with an introduction
    That’s another thing about middle school. Preface anything with “I hate” and you’ll fit right in.
  5. adept
    having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
    Thanks to the advanced circuitry in his nimble fingers, he’s equally adept with a video game controller or a pair of knitting needles.
  6. bandwagon
    a popular trend that attracts growing support
    The other teachers at Brightling were very quick to jump on the AIDACT bandwagon when they realized they could dump their unwanted duties and assignments onto him.
  7. optical
    relating to or using sight
    The optical technology in the unit’s eyes is capable of processing two million multiple-choice answers per second—although physically handling the test papers is a lot slower than that.
  8. resentful
    full of or marked by indignant ill will
    Kelly Tapper shoots me a resentful look. “He gets to be the fun teacher with his song lyrics and his trivia quizzes and his winning sports team. And who assigns homework and calls parents and gives failing grades? That’s us. No wonder we're not Teacher of the Year.”
  9. din
    a loud, harsh, or strident noise
    It’s hard to hear much in the general din, but I distinctly pick up her words: “...go out to celebrate.”
  10. grubby
    thickly covered with ingrained dirt
    The kid paws everything he can get his grubby little hands on, asking, “What does this do?” and “Why is this so shiny?” and “Can I keep this one?”
  11. consternation
    sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion
    They’re still celebrating—except for Rosalie, who’s looking in consternation across the field.
  12. endure
    put up with something or somebody unpleasant
    I slam on the brakes and endure some angry honking from behind.
  13. miffed
    aroused to impatience or anger
    A miffed Mrs. Arnette shows up a few minutes later. “Oh, it’s you,” she says to me.
  14. wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    “Five more minutes,” he wheedles.
  15. resounding
    characterized by loud, deep sound
    The indicator shoots straight up, takes the bell clean off with a resounding clang, and keeps on going until it knocks out a spray of ceiling tiles.
  16. inkling
    a slight suggestion or vague understanding
    It’s the first inkling I get that this project might be in serious trouble.
  17. undercurrent
    a feeling or tendency that is not explicitly expressed
    As the afternoon goes on, I start to pick up on a strange undercurrent of conversation in the school.
  18. conservatory
    a greenhouse in which plants are arranged
    It’s almost like there’s a gigantic game of Clue going on and the whole school is trying to identify the “killer”—like Mr. Zelcer in the conservatory with the lead pipe.
  19. rasp
    speak in a harsh, grating voice
    “Krumlich!” I rasp in true pain. “He must have overheard us! And he blabbed to the whole school!”
  20. red herring
    something intended to distract attention from the main issue
    “You know what we need?” I decide. “A red herring.”
    “How can you talk about fish at a time like this?”
    “A red herring is a fake clue to distract people,” I explain.
  21. drone
    talk in a monotonous voice
    “Kids used to sleep while Berg droned on in class. Now they hang on her every word.”
  22. toll
    ring slowly
    The alert is tolling in my ears.
  23. steep
    set at a high angle (of a slope)
    She indicates the trail, which leads up and over a steep hill.
  24. rave
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
    “Why would you say that?” Rosalie raves once Ainsley has disappeared into the trees of the opposite hill. “We are never going to find our way to the other side! For all we know, the next bridge is miles downstream! We’re cold! We’re wet! We’re filthy! And they have hot chocolate!"
  25. dilemma
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
    We’re in a real dilemma. We could continue our search for a place to cross. But if Ainsley’s right, that would only take us farther away from the welcome center.
  26. flurry
    a rapid active commotion
    Before he can dial, we catch a flurry of motion starting down from the top of the hill.
  27. stalwart
    having rugged physical strength
    Through the trees, we can make out the stalwart form of Mr. Aidact, hurrying down the path with a quick, sure-footed gait.
  28. gait
    a person's manner of walking
    Through the trees, we can make out the stalwart form of Mr. Aidact, hurrying down the path with a quick, sure-footed gait.
  29. lurch
    move haltingly and unsteadily
    Far behind him is a second figure, lurching in fits and starts, descending one step and slipping another two.
  30. exertion
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
    At last, the five of us are on the right side of the stream, panting with exertion—except Mr. Aidact.
  31. atrium
    the central area in a building, open to the sky
    The atrium is packed with kids from a few different tours, mingling, chattering, and sipping hot chocolate.
  32. bedraggled
    limp, untidy, and soiled
    “What’s going on?” she asks, taking in our soaked and bedraggled state.
  33. sensation
    a state of widespread public excitement and interest
    The student teacher causes a pretty big sensation among the kids as they pile on, while Mrs. Berg tries desperately to perform another head count in order to make sure nobody gets left behind.
  34. gurney
    a metal stretcher with wheels
    The last thing I see before we all get kicked out by security is Mr. Perkins being loaded onto a gurney by hospital staff.
  35. sterile
    free of pathological microorganisms
    I’m leaving muddy footprints on the floor, and I feel bad for messing up a place that’s supposed to be clean and sterile.
  36. ponder
    reflect deeply on a subject
    I’m pondering what to do when a doctor breezes past me into the room.
  37. assume
    take to be the case or to be true
    She takes in my mud-smeared state and assumes I’m a patient.
  38. tersely
    in a short and concise manner
    “The hospital,” I reply tersely.
  39. compassion
    a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
    Her expression is all sympathy and compassion. She thinks I’m upset that she wants to start dating again!
  40. standoffish
    lacking cordiality; unfriendly
    “Because he's a robot!” I blurt at the top of my lungs.
    “Honey, that’s an unkind thing to say. He may be a little standoffish—”
Created on Wed Dec 13 15:09:05 EST 2023 (updated Thu Dec 14 11:08:45 EST 2023)

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