These follow the College Prep course plan. Choose a week above to see exactly what belongs to that week.
culture (noun)
Word of the day
The shared ways of living, believing, speaking, and creating that people learn in a group.
See it in context
Beyond the bookFood, music, language, and celebrations can all be parts of a family's culture.
Course example · Week 0Studying culture helps us understand people's lives without assuming everyone in a group is identical.
dominance (noun)
Word of the day
A position of greater control or influence than others.
See it in context
Beyond the bookOne player's dominance of the conversation kept quieter teammates from sharing ideas.
Course example · Week 0We can study dominance by asking whose rules others are expected to follow.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
domin + ance → dominance
Open the domin matrix →
Same-family words: dominate · domination · dominant · dominance · domineer · domineering
domin (root)
rule or control
dominate (verb) · dominance (noun) · dominant (adjective)
-ance (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, state, or quality.
perseverance (noun) · tolerance (noun) · dominance (noun)
ethnicity (noun)
Word of the day
A connection to a group with shared history, culture, language, or ancestry.
See it in context
Beyond the bookHer ethnicity connects her with family traditions that she celebrates at home.
Course example · Week 0We distinguish ethnicity from race instead of assuming the two words mean exactly the same thing.
power (noun)
Word of the day
The ability to influence people, decisions, or what happens.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe team captain has the power to decide which drill comes next.
Course example · Week 0We ask who has power and how their decisions affect other people's choices.
race (noun)
Word of the day
A social category that groups people by ideas about ancestry and physical appearance.
See it in context
Beyond the bookA person's race does not tell a casting director what talents that person has.
Course example · Week 0In this course, we ask how race affects people's treatment and opportunities.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
race → race
Open the race matrix →
Same-family words: race · racial · racially · multiracial · interracial · racism
In the book
Reading from Week 5
Junior reacts to the responsibility he feels after talking with Mr. P.
“Jeez, it was a lot of pressure to put on a kid. I was carrying the burden of my race, you know?” (Alexie 43)
Race names the Native group Junior feels expected to represent; he describes that pressure as a weight.
Read it in context →
condition (noun)
Word of the day
A state or situation; also, a requirement that must be met.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe used bicycle was in good condition except for one flat tire.
Course example · Week 1A quiet place to work is one condition that can help us concentrate on reading.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
con- (prefix)
with or together. This is a historical part of condition; its present-day meaning is not found just by adding the parts together.
connect (verb) · conjunction (noun) · condition (noun)
consequently (adverb)
Word of the day
As a result of what happened before.
See it in context
Beyond the bookI forgot to charge my controller; consequently, it stopped working during the game.
Course example · Week 1I explained the quote carefully; consequently, my reader could understand how it supported my claim.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
con- (prefix)
with or together; sometimes it strengthens a meaning. Historical word meanings can change, so con- alone does not define a whole word.
connect (verb) · conjunction (noun) · consequence (noun)
-ly (suffix)
Forms adverbs that tell how something happens or connect ideas.
clearly (adverb) · consequently (adverb) · carefully (adverb)
nuanced (adjective)
Word of the day
Showing small but important differences instead of treating everything as simple.
See it in context
Beyond the bookHer nuanced review praised the game's story while explaining problems with its controls.
Course example · Week 1A nuanced paragraph can recognize both a character's strengths and mistakes.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ed (suffix)
Can form adjectives describing a state, as in these examples. It also marks many past-tense verbs.
privileged (adjective) · repressed (adjective) · nuanced (adjective)
commitment (noun)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
A promise or steady effort to stay with a goal or person.
See it in context
Beyond the bookHer commitment to the band showed when she practiced a difficult song every day.
Course example · Week 2Our commitment to reading, talking, and writing grows through the choices we make each week.
Course example · Week 7Rowdy's commitment to keeping Junior's confession private shows the trust their friendship once held.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
com + mit + ment → commitment
Open the mit / miss matrix →
Same-family words: commit · commitment · admit · admission · permit · permission
mit / miss (root)
send; this historical family also includes words about promises and duties.
submit (verb) · mission (noun) · commit (verb)
-ment (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, result, or state.
commitment (noun) · impediment (noun) · development (noun)
In the book
Reading from Week 7
Junior describes his reaction to Penelope’s Halloween plan.
“I didn’t understand how wearing a Halloween costume could become a political statement, but I admired her commitment.” (Alexie 78)
Commitment means Penelope’s willingness to act on her concern for people without homes.
Read it in context →
Reading from Week 11
Coach quotes a saying he attributes to Vince Lombardi while talking with Junior in the hospital.
“The quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.” (Alexie 148)
Commitment means dedication to doing something well; Coach uses this saying to recognize Junior’s effort.
Read it in context →
rationale (noun)
Word of the day
The reason that explains a decision or plan.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe coach's rationale for shorter practices was to give players more recovery time.
Course example · Week 2The rationale for taking notes is that they help us remember evidence and use it when we write.
responsibility (noun)
Word of the day
A duty to take care of something or answer for your actions.
See it in context
Beyond the bookFeeding our dog each morning is my responsibility.
Course example · Week 2Preparing my notebook and asking for help are part of my responsibility as a learner.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
re + spons + ible + ity → responsibility
Open the spond / spons matrix →
Same-family words: respond · respondent · responsive · responsible · responsibility · irresponsible
spons / spond (root)
pledge or promise; this historical family also connects answering and being answerable for something.
respond (verb) · response (noun) · responsible (adjective)
-ity (suffix)
Forms nouns naming a state or quality; the base can change spelling.
responsibility (noun) · activity (noun) · eccentricity (noun)
structure (noun)
Word of the day
The way the parts of something are arranged.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe structure of the song includes two verses, a chorus, and a short ending.
Course example · Week 2The structure of our paragraph should help the reader follow the claim, evidence, and explanation.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
struct + ure → structure
Open the struct matrix →
Same-family words: construct · construction · constructive · reconstruct · reconstruction · structure
struct (root)
build
construct (verb) · instruction (noun) · obstruct (verb)
etymology (noun)
Word of the day
The history of a word and how its form or meaning developed.
See it in context
Beyond the bookLearning the etymology of a family name can lead to questions about its earlier language and spelling.
Course example · Week 3Studying etymology helps us connect a new word with words we already know.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-logy (suffix)
Forms nouns naming a study, field, or account.
etymology (noun) · biology (noun) · geology (noun)
myth (noun)
Word of the day
A story that helps people explain life and can guide what they believe or do.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe myth that talent never needs practice can make a beginner give up too soon.
Course example · Week 3Our personal myth can be a useful story that helps us choose actions leading toward our goals.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
myth (root)
story
myth (noun) · mythical (adjective) · mythology (noun)
narrative (noun)
Word of the day
A connected account of events; a story.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe game's narrative follows two friends trying to find their way home.
Course example · Week 3Our narrative should connect experiences and choices instead of listing unrelated facts.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
narr (root)
tell or relate
narrate (verb) · narrator (noun) · narrative (noun)
symbolize (verb)
Word of the day
To stand for or represent an idea.
See it in context
Beyond the bookOn the game map, a small heart can symbolize health.
Course example · Week 3A drawing can symbolize the goal we want our personal story to guide us toward.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ize (suffix)
Forms verbs meaning make, become, or act in a certain way.
symbolize (verb) · visualize (verb) · characterize (verb)
visualize (verb)
Word of the day
To make a picture of something in your mind.
See it in context
Beyond the bookBefore taking the shot, I visualize the ball moving toward the basket.
Course example · Week 3We can visualize the steps between today's practice and the goals in our personal myth.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ize (suffix)
Forms verbs meaning make, become, or act in a certain way.
symbolize (verb) · visualize (verb) · characterize (verb)
impediment (noun)
Word of the day
Something that gets in the way or makes progress difficult.
See it in context
Beyond the bookA broken microphone was an impediment to recording our podcast.
Course example · Week 4Junior's speech impediment affects how he speaks, but it does not limit the ideas in his cartoons.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
ped (root)
foot. The older idea behind impede is getting in the way of someone’s feet; an impediment can now be any obstacle.
pedal (noun) · pedestrian (noun) · impede (verb)
-ment (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, result, or state.
commitment (noun) · impediment (noun) · development (noun)
perseverance (noun)
Word of the day
Continued effort even when something is difficult.
See it in context
Beyond the bookHer perseverance helped her finish the model after the first three designs collapsed.
Course example · Week 4Junior shows perseverance when he keeps drawing and imagining a future despite pain and bullying.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ance (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, state, or quality.
perseverance (noun) · tolerance (noun) · dominance (noun)
persistent (adjective)
Word of the day
Continuing and not easily giving up or stopping.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe persistent player kept practicing the same difficult move until she improved.
Course example · Week 4Junior's persistent hope appears in the cartoons he uses to picture a different future.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
sist (root)
stand; persisting carries the idea of continuing to stand or stay with something.
persist (verb) · resist (verb) · insist (verb)
-ent (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a state or tendency in these examples; some other -ent words are nouns.
persistent (adjective) · translucent (adjective) · dependent (adjective)
In the book
Reading from Week 4
Junior describes Rowdy reading comics patiently.
“Rowdy isn’t a fast reader, but he’s persistent.” (Alexie 23)
Persistent means Rowdy keeps reading even when reading takes him time.
Read it in context →
susceptible (adjective)
Word of the day
More likely to be affected or harmed by something.
See it in context
Beyond the bookYoung plants are susceptible to damage during a frost.
Course example · Week 4Junior's health problems make him susceptible to harm, and bullying adds to the difficulties he faces.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
cept / ceive (root)
take or receive; related spellings in a historical word family.
accept (verb) · receive (verb) · concept (noun)
-ible (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning able to be or capable of.
susceptible (adjective) · visible (adjective) · accessible (adjective)
ambitious (adjective)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
Having a strong desire to achieve something challenging.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe ambitious young designer wants to build a game that helps people learn music.
Course example · Week 5Junior is ambitious when he chooses Reardan because he wants more from his education.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ous (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a quality.
ambitious (adjective) · courageous (adjective) · curious (adjective)
In the book
Reading from Week 5
Junior explains why his parents may not be surprised by his ambitious school choice.
“I mean, they’ve always known that I’m weird and ambitious, so maybe they expect me to do the weirdest things possible.” (Alexie 46)
Ambitious means Junior wants to achieve more, which helps explain why his parents are not shocked by his plan.
Read it in context →
burden (noun)
Word of the day
Something heavy to carry, physically or emotionally.
See it in context
Beyond the bookTaking care of every part of the group project became a burden for one student.
Course example · Week 5Poverty is a burden that limits Junior's school resources and his family's choices.
In the book
Reading from Week 5
Junior reacts to the responsibility he feels after talking with Mr. P.
“Jeez, it was a lot of pressure to put on a kid. I was carrying the burden of my race, you know?” (Alexie 43)
A burden is a heavy responsibility: Junior feels pressure to carry other Native people’s hopes as well as his own.
Read it in context →
decrepit (adjective)
Word of the day
Worn out or in poor condition because of age or neglect.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe decrepit shed had a leaking roof and a door that would not close.
Course example · Week 5Junior's decrepit geometry textbook becomes a sign of how badly his school has been neglected.
liberal (adjective)
Word of the day
Open to new ideas or allowing people greater freedom of choice.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe club's liberal attendance policy lets members choose which optional workshops to attend.
Course example · Week 5Junior's parents take a liberal approach to his education when they support his choice to attend Reardan.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
liber + al → liberal
Open the liber matrix →
Same-family words: liberate · liberation · liberator · liberty · liberal · liberalize
liber (root)
free; this is the liberty family, not the book-root in library.
liberty (noun) · liberate (verb) · liberation (noun)
-al (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning related to or characterized by.
liberal (adjective) · cultural (adjective) · personal (adjective)
betray (verb)
Word of the day
To break someone's trust or act against a person or group that trusted you.
See it in context
Beyond the bookSharing a friend's private message can betray their trust.
Course example · Week 6Rowdy believes Junior's transfer will betray their friendship, although Junior invites him to come along.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
trad (root)
hand over or pass on. Betray belongs to this historical family through French; the spelling changed, so trad is not a visible piece of betray.
tradition (noun) · extradite (verb) · traitor (noun)
impending (adjective)
Word of the day
About to happen, especially when something seems worrying.
See it in context
Beyond the bookDark clouds warned us of an impending storm.
Course example · Week 6Junior fears an impending fight after punching Roger, but Roger's later greeting surprises him.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
pend (root)
hang; something impending is pictured as hanging over us or about to arrive.
pending (adjective) · suspend (verb) · pendulum (noun)
mythical (adjective)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
Belonging to a traditional story or imagined world rather than ordinary reality.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe game includes a mythical dragon that guards a mountain of books.
Course example · Week 6A mythical hero may have magical protection, but Junior has to face problems without it.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
myth (root)
story
myth (noun) · mythical (adjective) · mythology (noun)
-ical (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning related to or having a quality.
mythical (adjective) · historical (adjective) · theatrical (adjective)
traitor (noun)
Word of the day
A person accused of turning against a group or someone who trusted them.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe spy movie's traitor secretly gives the team's plans to its enemy.
Course example · Week 6Calling Junior a traitor treats his search for opportunity as an attack on his community.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
trad (root)
hand over or pass on. Traitor belongs to this historical family through French; the spelling changed, so trad is not a visible piece of traitor.
tradition (noun) · extradite (verb) · traitor (noun)
translucent (adjective)
Word of the day
Letting light pass through without allowing a clear view of what is behind it.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe translucent curtain lets in daylight but blurs the view outside.
Course example · Week 6A translucent sheet of tracing paper would let us follow the shapes in a cartoon without fully hiding the page.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
trans- (prefix)
through or across
translucent (adjective) · transport (verb) · transcontinental (adjective)
luc (root)
light
lucid (adjective) · translucent (adjective) · elucidate (verb)
-ent (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a state or tendency in these examples; some other -ent words are nouns.
persistent (adjective) · translucent (adjective) · dependent (adjective)
confession (noun)
Word of the day
An admission of something private, hidden, or difficult to say.
See it in context
Beyond the bookMy confession that I had lost the game piece helped us stop searching the wrong room.
Course example · Week 7Junior's confession about his feelings for Dawn shows the trust he once shared with Rowdy.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
fess (root)
speak or acknowledge openly
confess (verb) · profess (verb) · confession (noun)
-ion / -ation (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, process, or result.
confession (noun) · confrontation (noun) · expectation (noun)
naive (adjective)
Word of the day
Lacking experience and too ready to trust a simple explanation.
See it in context
Beyond the bookIt was naive to believe the message promising a free console without checking who sent it.
Course example · Week 7It would be naive to treat one kind gesture at Reardan as proof that Junior's problems are over.
articulate (adjective)
Word of the day
Able to explain ideas clearly in words.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe articulate presenter explained each step without rushing or using confusing language.
Course example · Week 8Junior becomes an articulate critic of Mr. Dodge's explanation when he clearly describes how wood becomes petrified.
confrontation (noun)
Word of the day
A direct meeting or disagreement in which people face a problem or challenge each other.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe teammates' confrontation began when they disagreed about who should take the final shot.
Course example · Week 8Junior's confrontation with Mr. Dodge reveals that a teacher can dismiss a student even when the student is correct.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
front (root)
front or face; confronting means facing something directly.
front (noun) · confront (verb) · frontier (noun)
-ion / -ation (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, process, or result.
confession (noun) · confrontation (noun) · expectation (noun)
contradict (verb)
Word of the day
To say or show something that conflicts with a claim.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe test results contradict our guess that the heavier paper would always fly farther.
Course example · Week 8Gordy's explanation of petrified wood helps contradict Mr. Dodge's claim that Junior is wrong.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
contra + dict → contradict
Open the dict matrix →
Same-family words: dictate · dictation · dictator · dictatorial · predict · prediction
contra- (prefix)
against or opposite
contradict (verb) · contrary (adjective) · contravene (verb)
dict (root)
say
predict (verb) · dictate (verb) · contradict (verb)
courageous (adjective)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
Willing to face fear or difficulty.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe courageous beginner volunteered to perform even though she felt nervous.
Course example · Week 9Junior's courageous effort to reconnect with Rowdy shows when he brings him a drawing at Thanksgiving.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ous (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a quality.
ambitious (adjective) · courageous (adjective) · curious (adjective)
In the book
Reading from Week 15
Junior remembers Mary’s attempt to find a different life.
“It was courageous of her to leave the basement and move to Montana. She went searching for her dreams, and she didn’t find them, but she made the attempt.” (Alexie 216)
Courageous means brave: Junior gives Mary credit for trying to change her life even though her attempt did not end well.
Read it in context →
defiant (adjective)
Word of the day
Openly refusing to obey or accept something.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe player's defiant refusal to follow the safety rule put others at risk.
Course example · Week 9Junior's defiant choice to seek opportunity does not mean he has stopped caring about home.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ant (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a state or tendency in these examples. The base defy changes spelling in defiant.
defiant (adjective) · tolerant (adjective) · hesitant (adjective)
defy (verb)
Word of the day
To openly resist a rule, demand, or expectation.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe team's new design might defy everyone's expectation that it will fail.
Course example · Week 9Junior's friendship with Penelope can defy her father's racist expectations about whom she should spend time with.
privileged (adjective)
Word of the day
Having advantages or opportunities that other people do not have.
See it in context
Beyond the bookStudents with their own computers are privileged in a class where some classmates must share.
Course example · Week 9Penelope is privileged in ways Junior is not, even though her advantages do not remove her loneliness.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ed (suffix)
Can form adjectives describing a state, as in these examples. It also marks many past-tense verbs.
privileged (adjective) · repressed (adjective) · nuanced (adjective)
In the book
Reading from Week 9
Gordy summarizes an article in response to Junior’s question about Penelope.
“The guy who wrote the article says people care more about beautiful white girls than they do about everybody else on the planet. White girls are privileged.” (Alexie 116)
Privileged means receiving special advantages; Gordy is reporting an argument that white girls receive more public attention when they are in danger.
Read it in context →
secede (verb)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
To formally leave a larger political group or organization.
See it in context
Beyond the bookIn the strategy game, one region votes to secede and govern itself.
Course example · Week 9Mary tells Junior about a white town that tried to secede from the Flathead reservation.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
cede / ceed (root)
go or move; secede has the idea of going apart.
recede (verb) · precede (verb) · proceed (verb)
assume (verb)
Word of the day
To treat something as true before checking it.
See it in context
Beyond the bookDo not assume the file saved correctly; open it and check.
Course example · Week 10Junior's classmates assume he has money because they connect reservations with casino wealth.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
sume / sumpt (root)
take; assuming can mean taking an idea as true.
consume (verb) · presume (verb) · assumption (noun)
ecstatic (adjective)
Word of the day
Extremely happy and excited.
See it in context
Beyond the bookI was ecstatic when our first working robot crossed the finish line.
Course example · Week 10Mary sounds ecstatic about the home she now shares with her husband, even while she struggles to find work.
individual (noun / adjective)
Word of the day
One person; or separate and different from other people or things.
See it in context
Beyond the bookEach individual on the team has ideas worth hearing.
Course example · Week 10Junior's individual choice of school creates tension with people who expect him to follow the group.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
divid (root)
divide; individual historically has the idea of something not divided into separate people or units.
divide (verb) · division (noun) · indivisible (adjective)
repressed (adjective)
Word of the day
Held back instead of being openly expressed.
See it in context
Beyond the bookHis repressed frustration became clear when he finally explained why the rehearsals upset him.
Course example · Week 10Junior's repressed feelings about poverty contrast with the honesty he shows when he finally tells Penelope the truth.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
press (root)
push or press; repressed feelings are held back.
express (verb) · oppress (verb) · suppress (verb)
-ed (suffix)
Can form adjectives describing a state, as in these examples. It also marks many past-tense verbs.
privileged (adjective) · repressed (adjective) · nuanced (adjective)
contempt (noun)
Word of the day
A strong feeling that someone or something deserves little respect.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe contestant showed contempt for the other players by laughing at every mistake.
Course example · Week 11The hostile crowd shows contempt for Junior by turning its back when Reardan plays at Wellpinit.
endeavor (noun)
Word of the day
A serious effort or attempt to accomplish something.
See it in context
Beyond the bookBuilding a working robot was a difficult endeavor for our new club.
Course example · Week 11Junior's effort to earn a place on the basketball team is an endeavor that requires persistence and support.
In the book
Reading from Week 11
Coach quotes a saying he attributes to Vince Lombardi while talking with Junior in the hospital.
“The quality of a man’s life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.” (Alexie 148)
An endeavor is work someone puts effort into; Coach’s saying applies to basketball and to other things Junior chooses to do.
Read it in context →
intimidate (verb)
Word of the day
To make someone afraid or less confident, often to control them.
See it in context
Beyond the bookA good captain should encourage new players rather than intimidate them.
Course example · Week 11The hostile crowd can intimidate Junior, but his teammates and Coach help him face the game.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
tim (root)
fear or be afraid
timid (adjective) · timidity (noun) · intimidation (noun)
optimistic (adjective)
Word of the day
Hopeful that something good can happen.
See it in context
Beyond the bookI stayed optimistic about the project after the first test showed what we needed to fix.
Course example · Week 11Coach's confidence helps Junior feel optimistic about what he can achieve as a player.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ic (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning related to or having a quality.
nomadic (adjective) · optimistic (adjective) · artistic (adjective)
anthropologist (noun)
Word of the day
A person who studies human communities, cultures, and ways of life.
See it in context
Beyond the bookAn anthropologist might study how people use music to build a sense of community.
Course example · Week 12Ted says an anthropologist identified the outfit, but Junior's mother explains why that identification is wrong.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
anthrop (root)
human or people
anthropology (noun) · philanthropy (noun) · misanthrope (noun)
-ist (suffix)
Forms nouns naming a person who practices, studies, or supports something.
anthropologist (noun) · artist (noun) · scientist (noun)
In the book
Reading from Week 12
Junior’s mother tells Ted that his account of the outfit is mistaken.
“Your anthropologist wasn’t much of an expert, either. He got this way wrong.” (Alexie 165)
An anthropologist studies human cultures; Junior’s mother challenges this one’s mistaken identification of the dance outfit.
Read it in context →
eccentricity (noun)
Word of the day
A way of acting that is unusual or different from what people expect.
See it in context
Beyond the bookWearing a different handmade hat every day was one part of the musician's eccentricity.
Course example · Week 12Grandmother accepts eccentricity instead of treating unusual people as less worthy of kindness.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
centr (root)
center; eccentric historically means off-center, which became an image for unusual behavior.
central (adjective) · concentrate (verb) · egocentric (adjective)
-ity (suffix)
Forms nouns naming a state or quality; the base can change spelling.
responsibility (noun) · activity (noun) · eccentricity (noun)
grief (noun)
Word of the day
Deep sadness after a death or another serious loss.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe family felt grief after the death of their much-loved dog.
Course example · Week 12Junior's grief after several deaths affects his school attendance and makes him consider giving up.
In the book
Reading from Week 14
Junior describes being held by his grieving mother.
“My clothes and hair were soaked with her tears. It was, like, my mother had given me a grief shower, you know?” (Alexie 208)
Grief is the pain of losing someone; the shower image shows how deeply Mother’s sadness reaches Junior.
Read it in context →
grieve (verb)
Word of the day
To feel or show deep sadness after a death or loss.
See it in context
Beyond the bookPeople may grieve in different ways and need different kinds of support.
Course example · Week 12Junior and his family grieve, and the laughter at Grandmother's wake does not erase their loss.
tolerance (noun)
Word of the day
Willingness to accept people whose lives or views differ from your own.
See it in context
Beyond the bookTolerance helps a club welcome members with different styles and opinions.
Course example · Week 12Grandmother's tolerance appears in the way she welcomes people whom others reject.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
toler (root)
bear or endure
tolerate (verb) · intolerant (adjective) · intolerable (adjective)
-ance (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, state, or quality.
perseverance (noun) · tolerance (noun) · dominance (noun)
In the book
Reading from Week 12
Junior interprets Grandmother’s final request.
“My grandmother’s last act on earth was a call for forgiveness, love, and tolerance.” (Alexie 157)
Tolerance means treating people with openness instead of hatred; Junior connects it to Grandmother’s request for forgiveness.
Read it in context →
demoralize (verb)
Word of the day
To make someone lose hope, confidence, or the will to keep trying.
See it in context
Beyond the bookConstant insults can demoralize a team more than one lost game.
Course example · Week 13Reardan's crushing victory can demoralize Wellpinit, and Junior begins to question his joy in winning.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
de- (prefix)
remove, reverse, or reduce; here, reduce morale or confidence.
demoralize (verb) · defrost (verb) · devalue (verb)
-ize (suffix)
Forms verbs meaning make, become, or act in a certain way.
symbolize (verb) · visualize (verb) · characterize (verb)
In the book
Reading from Week 13
Junior describes his desire to defeat Rowdy during the rematch.
“I’d taken the ball from Rowdy and now I wanted to score in his face. I wanted to absolutely demoralize him.” (Alexie 192)
Demoralize means break someone’s confidence; Junior wants to hurt Rowdy’s spirit, not simply score a point.
Read it in context →
expectations (noun (plural))
Word of the day
Beliefs about what will happen or what someone should be able to do.
See it in context
Beyond the bookClear expectations helped everyone understand their part in the group project.
Course example · Week 13Coach's high expectations help Junior imagine success, while the rematch makes him reconsider what winning means.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
spect (root)
see or look; expect belongs to this historical family, but its spelling drops the s in spect. This is a family connection, not a visible modern split.
inspect (verb) · spectator (noun) · perspective (noun)
-ion / -ation (suffix)
Forms nouns naming an action, process, or result.
confession (noun) · confrontation (noun) · expectation (noun)
-s (suffix)
Forms plural nouns in these examples.
expectations (plural noun) · goals (plural noun) · choices (plural noun)
legacy (noun)
Word of the day
Something from the past that continues to affect the present.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe singer's legacy includes songs that later musicians still perform.
Course example · Week 13The difference between the two teams makes Junior confront a legacy of unequal opportunities.
primitive (adjective)
Word of the day
From an early stage or simple in design; when applied to people, the label can wrongly suggest inferiority.
See it in context
Beyond the bookA primitive version of the game had only one level and no sound.
Course example · Week 13In our reading, calling a community primitive would hide the complexity of its people's lives.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
prim (root)
first or early
primary (adjective) · prime (adjective) · primal (adjective)
-ive (suffix)
Forms adjectives describing a quality or tendency in these examples.
primitive (adjective) · active (adjective) · supportive (adjective)
destined (adjective)
Word of the day
Believed to be certain or meant to happen.
See it in context
Beyond the bookAfter months of preparation, the team seemed destined to finish its project, but it still had work to do.
Course example · Week 14Junior's losses do not prove that he is destined to fail or that his choices cannot matter.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ed (suffix)
Can form adjectives describing a state, as in these examples. It also marks many past-tense verbs.
privileged (adjective) · repressed (adjective) · nuanced (adjective)
destiny (noun)
Word of the day
A future that someone believes is meant to happen.
See it in context
Beyond the bookShe refused to believe that losing one audition decided her destiny.
Course example · Week 14Junior questions whether loss and limited opportunity must determine his destiny.
homophobic (adjective)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
Showing prejudice, hostility, or unfair treatment toward gay people.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe team challenged a homophobic joke instead of treating it as harmless fun.
Course example · Week 14Rowdy's homophobic insults show that familiar teasing can still use hurtful ideas about gay people.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-phobic (suffix)
Forms adjectives showing fear, strong dislike, or prejudice. In homophobic, the whole word specifically refers to anti-gay prejudice.
homophobic (adjective) · xenophobic (adjective) · claustrophobic (adjective)
rhetorical question (noun phrase)
Word of the day
A question asked to make a point rather than to get an answer.
See it in context
Beyond the bookWhen the captain asks, "Who wants to lose?" it is a rhetorical question meant to motivate the team.
Course example · Week 14A rhetorical question can help our paragraph challenge the claim that Junior caused Mary's death.
vulnerable (adjective)
Word of the day
Open to being hurt, harmed, or strongly affected.
See it in context
Beyond the bookAn account with a weak password is vulnerable to misuse.
Course example · Week 14Junior is vulnerable after Mary's death, and his classmates' care helps him feel less alone.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-able (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning able to be or capable of.
vulnerable (adjective) · readable (adjective) · adaptable (adjective)
arrogant (adjective)
Word of the day
Acting as if you are more important or better than other people.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe arrogant player dismissed every teammate's idea without listening.
Course example · Week 15It would be arrogant to assume that Junior's success makes him better than the people who remain at home.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
rog (root)
ask or claim; historically, arrogance is connected with claiming too much importance for yourself.
interrogate (verb) · arrogate (verb) · prerogative (noun)
evaluate (verb)
Word of the day
To judge how good, effective, or important something is by using evidence.
See it in context
Beyond the bookWe need to evaluate both designs before choosing one for the competition.
Course example · Week 15We can evaluate Junior's growth by comparing his report card, choices, and relationships.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
val (root)
be strong or be worth; evaluate belongs to the value family.
value (noun) · valid (adjective) · invaluable (adjective)
immigrant (noun)
Word of the dayChapter vocabulary
A person who moves into another country to live there.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe singer describes arriving as an immigrant and learning to make friends in a new country.
Course example · Week 15Junior connects with the experience of an immigrant, although changing schools does not make him one in the literal sense.
In the novelJunior connects his own search for a dream with the experiences of American immigrants.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
Build the word
im + migr + ant → immigrant
Open the migr matrix →
Same-family words: migrate · migration · migrant · migratory · emigrate · emigration
migr (root)
move from one place to another
migrate (verb) · emigrate (verb) · migration (noun)
In the book
Reading from Week 15
Junior connects his Spokane identity with other forms of belonging.
“I realized that, sure, I was a Spokane Indian. I belonged to that tribe. But I also belonged to the tribe of American immigrants.” (Alexie 217)
Immigrants are people who move to another country; Junior uses the group figuratively because he also left home seeking a different future.
Read it in context →
nomad (noun)
Word of the day
A person who moves from place to place rather than staying in one permanent home.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe story's nomad travels with her family and sets up a home in different places.
Course example · Week 16Rowdy calls Junior a nomad to describe his wish to explore beyond familiar places.
In the book
Reading from Week 16
Rowdy imagines Junior traveling and calls him a nomad.
“You’re an old-time nomad,” Rowdy said. “You’re going to keep moving all over the world in search of food and water and grazing land. That’s pretty cool.” (Alexie 230)
A nomad moves from place to place; Rowdy uses the word to imagine Junior exploring the world, rather than treating his leaving as betrayal.
Read it in context →
nomadic (adjective)
Word of the day
Moving from place to place instead of living permanently in one location.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe game's nomadic trader moves between towns with a cart of supplies.
Course example · Week 16Rowdy uses a nomadic image for Junior's future; it is a metaphor for travel, not a claim that Junior has no home.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ic (suffix)
Forms adjectives meaning related to or having a quality.
nomadic (adjective) · optimistic (adjective) · artistic (adjective)
In the book
Reading from Week 16
Rowdy tells Junior what he found when looking up the word nomadic.
“So I looked up nomadic in the dictionary, and it means people who move around, who keep moving, in search of food and water and grazing land.” (Alexie 229)
Nomadic describes moving from place to place; Rowdy learns the word and then connects that movement to Junior’s possible future.
Read it in context →
scintillating (adjective)
Word of the day
Sparkling; or lively, clever, and very interesting.
See it in context
Beyond the bookThe singer gave a scintillating performance full of energy and surprising musical choices.
Course example · Week 16The jokes in Junior's narrative can be scintillating, even when the story asks us to think about pain.
Root, word family & meaningful parts
-ing (suffix)
Can form adjectives describing a quality or effect, as in these examples. It also appears in ongoing verb forms.
scintillating (adjective) · sparkling (adjective) · interesting (adjective)
Forms nouns naming an action, state, or quality.
Examples
perseverance (noun) · tolerance (noun) · dominance (noun)
master or rule
Examples
dominate (verb) · domination (noun) · dominant (adjective) · dominance (noun) · domineer (verb)
Build words in this family →-ed (adjective / verb)
suffix
past action; resulting condition
Examples
excluded (verb) · constructed (verb) · oppressed (adjective)
Build words in this family →-ly (adverb / adjective)
suffix
in a manner; having a quality
Examples
actively (adverb) · formally (adverb) · collectively (adverb) · friendly (adjective)
Build words in this family →with or together; sometimes it strengthens a meaning. Historical word meanings can change, so con- alone does not define a whole word.
Examples
connect (verb) · conjunction (noun) · consequence (noun)
Forms nouns naming a state or quality; the base can change spelling.
Examples
responsibility (noun) · activity (noun) · eccentricity (noun)
an action, result, or condition
Examples
enactment (noun) · commitment (noun) · movement (noun)
Build words in this family →mit / miss (word part)
root
send
Examples
commit (verb) · commitment (noun) · admit (verb) · admission (noun) · permit (verb)
Build words in this family →spons / spond (word part)
root
pledge or promise; this historical family also connects answering and being answerable for something.
Examples
respond (verb) · response (noun) · responsible (adjective)
build
Examples
construct (verb) · construction (noun) · constructive (adjective) · reconstruct (verb) · reconstruction (noun)
Build words in this family →make; become; treat as
Examples
humanize (verb) · dehumanize (verb) · normalize (verb)
Build words in this family →Forms nouns naming a study, field, or account.
Examples
etymology (noun) · biology (noun) · geology (noun)
story
Examples
myth (noun) · mythical (adjective) · mythology (noun)
tell or relate
Examples
narrate (verb) · narrator (noun) · narrative (noun)
Forms adjectives describing a state or tendency in these examples; some other -ent words are nouns.
Examples
persistent (adjective) · translucent (adjective) · dependent (adjective)
Forms adjectives meaning able to be or capable of.
Examples
susceptible (adjective) · visible (adjective) · accessible (adjective)
cept / ceive (word part)
root
take or receive; related spellings in a historical word family.
Examples
accept (verb) · receive (verb) · concept (noun)
foot. The older idea behind impede is getting in the way of someone’s feet; an impediment can now be any obstacle.
Examples
pedal (noun) · pedestrian (noun) · impede (verb)
stand; persisting carries the idea of continuing to stand or stay with something.
Examples
persist (verb) · resist (verb) · insist (verb)
-al (adjective / noun)
suffix
related to; an action or result
Examples
structural (adjective) · formal (adjective) · referral (noun)
Build words in this family →Forms adjectives describing a quality.
Examples
ambitious (adjective) · courageous (adjective) · curious (adjective)
free
Examples
liberate (verb) · liberation (noun) · liberator (noun) · liberty (noun) · liberal (adjective)
Build words in this family →Forms adjectives meaning related to or having a quality.
Examples
mythical (adjective) · historical (adjective) · theatrical (adjective)
light
Examples
lucid (adjective) · translucent (adjective) · elucidate (verb)
hang; something impending is pictured as hanging over us or about to arrive.
Examples
pending (adjective) · suspend (verb) · pendulum (noun)
hand over or pass on. Betray belongs to this historical family through French; the spelling changed, so trad is not a visible piece of betray.
Examples
tradition (noun) · extradite (verb) · traitor (noun)
through or across
Examples
translucent (adjective) · transport (verb) · transcontinental (adjective)
-ion / -ation (noun)
suffix
Forms nouns naming an action, process, or result.
Examples
confession (noun) · confrontation (noun) · expectation (noun)
speak or acknowledge openly
Examples
confess (verb) · profess (verb) · confession (noun)
contra- (word part)
prefix
against or opposite
Examples
contradict (verb) · contrary (adjective) · contravene (verb)
say or declare
Examples
dictate (verb) · dictation (noun) · dictator (noun) · dictatorial (adjective) · predict (verb)
Build words in this family →front or face; confronting means facing something directly.
Examples
front (noun) · confront (verb) · frontier (noun)
Forms adjectives describing a state or tendency in these examples. The base defy changes spelling in defiant.
Examples
defiant (adjective) · tolerant (adjective) · hesitant (adjective)
cede / ceed (word part)
root
go or move; secede has the idea of going apart.
Examples
recede (verb) · precede (verb) · proceed (verb)
divide; individual historically has the idea of something not divided into separate people or units.
Examples
divide (verb) · division (noun) · indivisible (adjective)
press or push
Examples
press (verb) · pressure (noun) · oppress (verb) · oppression (noun) · oppressive (adjective)
Build words in this family →sume / sumpt (word part)
root
take; assuming can mean taking an idea as true.
Examples
consume (verb) · presume (verb) · assumption (noun)
Forms adjectives meaning related to or having a quality.
Examples
nomadic (adjective) · optimistic (adjective) · artistic (adjective)
fear or be afraid
Examples
timid (adjective) · timidity (noun) · intimidation (noun)
-ist (noun / adjective)
suffix
a participant, supporter, or related quality
Examples
activist (noun) · socialist (noun) · racist (adjective)
Build words in this family →human or people
Examples
anthropology (noun) · philanthropy (noun) · misanthrope (noun)
center; eccentric historically means off-center, which became an image for unusual behavior.
Examples
central (adjective) · concentrate (verb) · egocentric (adjective)
bear or endure
Examples
tolerate (verb) · intolerant (adjective) · intolerable (adjective)
having a tendency, function, or quality
Examples
constructive (adjective) · active (adjective) · oppressive (adjective)
Build words in this family →Forms plural nouns in these examples.
Examples
expectations (plural noun) · goals (plural noun) · choices (plural noun)
away; down; reverse
Examples
deport (verb) · dehumanize (verb) · deduce (verb)
Build words in this family →first or early
Examples
primary (adjective) · prime (adjective) · primal (adjective)
look or see
Examples
inspect (verb) · inspection (noun) · inspector (noun) · respect (verb) · respectful (adjective)
Build words in this family →Forms adjectives meaning able to be or capable of.
Examples
vulnerable (adjective) · readable (adjective) · adaptable (adjective)
-phobic (adjective)
suffix
Forms adjectives showing fear, strong dislike, or prejudice. In homophobic, the whole word specifically refers to anti-gay prejudice.
Examples
homophobic (adjective) · xenophobic (adjective) · claustrophobic (adjective)
move
Examples
migrate (verb) · migration (noun) · migrant (noun) · migratory (adjective) · emigrate (verb)
Build words in this family →ask or claim; historically, arrogance is connected with claiming too much importance for yourself.
Examples
interrogate (verb) · arrogate (verb) · prerogative (noun)
be strong or be worth; evaluate belongs to the value family.
Examples
value (noun) · valid (adjective) · invaluable (adjective)
-ing (adjective / verb)
suffix
ongoing action; activity; related quality
Examples
organizing (verb) · reading (noun) · housing (noun) · domineering (adjective)
Build words in this family →