The staff of the Milford Public Schools is dedicated to improving MCAS scores for all students. All Words of the Week are typical of the vocabulary found on the state mandated assessments that students begin taking in Grade 3 and continue through Grade 10.   Families, please join this effort by reviewing the Words of the Week with your children several times each week.  Clip the words for this week, review the definitions and the synonyms.  Then read and discuss the sentences.  Finally, post them on the refrigerator and try to use them in your daily family conversations.  Note:  The information below is a compilation of a variety of web resources. 

Migrate:  to go from one place to another;

Synonyms:  move; relocate;

Sentences: 

·         Elementary: While studying insects, the second grade students studied the life cycle, habits, and migration patterns of the Monarch butterfly.

·         Middle School:  During a unit of study on whales, the eighth graders created a board game of humpback whale migration using a map of the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Maine to the Caribbean as the game board.

·         High School: In biology class, the students made comparisons of the evolutionary relationships among four species of birds, by researching their gene sequences, nesting behaviors, and patterns of migration. 

Hibernate:  to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant or inactive condition;

Synonyms:   hide; sleep;

Sentences:

• Elementary:  The students learned that ants can be seen in various places from spring to autumn, they go into hibernation in the winter.
• Middle School:   The students, learned that although the principle of hibernation may be simple, the execution of the process is complex and built in problems must be addressed if the animal is to see the spring.
• High School: In biology class, the students studied animals that hibernate and the physiology that occurs before, during and after hibernation.   

The study of animals is one that interests students of all ages.  Be sure to check out the books at the Town Library.  If you want to add to your home library, the following list of animal books may interest your son or daughter:

Primary Students:  “Animals Hibernating: How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions” by Pamela Hickman;  “National Geographic Encyclopedia of Animals;” or “Woodchuck at Blackberry Road” by C. Drew Lamm;

Intermediate Students:  “Animals Hibernating : How Animals Survive Extreme Conditions” by Pamela Hickman; “Animals That Hibernate” by Phyllis Jean J. Perry or “Under the Sea” by Frank Talbot;

Young Adults:  “Animals in the Fall” by Gail Saunders-Smith; “Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival” by Bernd Heinrich; or “The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter” by Marc Bekoff; 

Here is another animal book you may want to try:  “My Senator And Me: A Dog's Eye View Of Washington, D.C.” by Senator Ted Kennedy.  According to Lisa Holton, a divisional president of Scholastic Books, “Kids love animal stories, and they will be captivated by the tale of Splash, a Portuguese Water Dog, and his adventures in Congress.”  This book gives readers a true behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a senator through a dog's-eye view and will help kids learn about the work of our elected officials in a unique and fun way.  Follow Senator Kennedy and Splash, his Portuguese Water Dog, through a busy day in D.C., from press conferences, to meetings with school groups, to committee discussions, and to a floor vote. The result is an exciting, behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of the most energetic figures in American politics -- and, of course, his equally famous owner!

The words used below have multiple meanings when used in various contexts.  Some MCAS questions require students to define a word based on the context in which it is used.

Review: 

            On New Year’s Eve:  a viewing of the past; contemplation or consideration of past events;

In Math Class:  The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem;

In Social Studies Class:  a judicial reexamination, as by a higher court, of the decision or proceedings in

a case.

            In Language Arts Class:  a critical article or report, as in a periodical, on a book, play, recital, or the

like; critique; evaluation;

            When Studying for a Test:  the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation in order to

fix it in the memory or summarize the facts;

Sentences:

• Elementary:  After reading a  unit on animal habitats, the students reviewed what they learned by making dioramas out of shoe boxes.
• Middle School:   The fifth graders read many different versions of Cinderella stories and then reviewed the common elements.  
• High School: In art class unit on Impressionism, the students reviewed various Impressionist works and discussed their use of color. 

Resolution:  

            On New Year’s Eve:  a firm determination to do something in the coming year;

           In Computer Class:  the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display; (the 

greater the resolution, the better the picture)

            In Music Class:  a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord

            In Science Class:  the ability of a microscope or telescope to measure the angular separation of images

                     that are close together 

            In Math Class:  The act or process of solving; solution; as, the resolution of an equation or problem.

Sentences: 

• Elementary: The third graders wrote their New Year’s Resolutions in terms of academic success in the coming year.
• Middle School:  A social studies writing activity had the students writing New Year’s resolutions in the voice of American explorers. 
• High School: During technology class, the students learned that a computer user needs to select a screen resolution setting with the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the monitor.

It is critically important for parents and teachers to provide opportunities for success for each student.  Perhaps one of these quotes will provide your son or daughter with inspiration for the coming year:

·          “Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.  The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.”  Douglas Pagels, American Author and Editor

·          “The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”  Vidal Sassoon, British Hairdresser and Businessman

·          “Believe in yourself!  Have faith in your abilities!  Without a humble, but reasonable confidence in your

           own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.”  Dr, Norman Vincent Peale, American Minister and

Author

And finally, a quote from Oprah Winfrey, American television presenter, media mogul, and philanthropist, for the adults, both parents and teachers…“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”   Here’s to “getting it right” in 2009!

Holiday:  a religious or holy day; a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event; a vacation;

Synonyms:  anniversary, break, celebration;

Sentences:  

• Elementary:  In music classes, the students learn songs to celebrate  the December holidays.
• Middle School: The seventh grade students learned that in Egypt, the Christmas holiday is celebrated in January. 
• High School:  The high school chorus presented a program entitled, “Music of the Winter Holidays.”

Festive:  joyous, celebratory, or merry;

Synonyms:   gaiety or happiness; 

• Elementary:  The kindergarten classes joined in the December festivities by creating gingerbread houses and ornaments.
• Middle School:   During Activity Week, seventh grade students completed a holiday craft activity that will make their homes more festive.
• High School: Some of the high school students are planning to attend the First Night festivities in Boston on New Year’s Eve.

December is a time that many people celebrate holidays, whether it be Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa.  By learning about the holidays of other cultures and religions, students develop a better understanding of why certain historical or cultural events have meaning for certain people, recognizing that different people find different events significant. The December holiday season can also become quite stressful.  If you face this time of year with a mix of delight and dread, you are one of millions of parents who wish there were some way to hold on to the holiday spirit but eliminate the pressures of this season. Here are some suggestions from Istar Schwager, Ph.D., an educational psychologist, mom, and founder of Creative Parents, Inc.,  for surviving to January:

RECONSIDER YOUR EXPECTATIONS:  What makes this season daunting for so many of us?  Experts say the stress comes from the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves and our families. Those Norman Rockwell paintings and holiday TV specials have imprinted images of what's "supposed to be." The picture-book scenes may well have been created by people working late at night and far from home, longing for the ideal family that only existed in their imaginations.

REMEMBER THAT EVERY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT:   Instead of comparing your family to other families, find ways to appreciate the uniqueness of the family and friends who are part of your life.

CELEBRATE IN YOUR OWN WAY:  When it comes to the holidays, one size doesn't fit all. While traditions can be wonderful, and children enjoy the anticipation of the familiar, it can become destructive to get so hung up on maintaining family rituals that you lose sight of the bigger picture.  Flexibility and spontaneity bring their own rewards.

REMEMBER WHAT REALLY COUNTS:  If we end up so frazzled, irritable, and exhausted during the holidays that we hardly enjoy them, what message are we sending to our kids? We owe it to ourselves to take a good look at the activities that contribute to our stress. Can we buy cookies from the store rather than bake them ourselves?  Postpone whatever isn't essential, keep your sense of humor, and find your own way to enjoy the season...one day at a time.

Dave Barry, American writer, adds a touch of humor with this quote, ” Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.”

Arrange:  to place in proper, convenient order; plan, organize, or carry out; to make a piece of music suitable for particular voices or instruments

Synonyms:  classify, order, rank, or design; adapt

Sentences:  

• Elementary:  Elementary students frequently use geoboards, devices commonly used to aid in the teaching of basic geometric concepts.  A simple geoboard can be made from a square piece of wood and 25 nails arranged in an evenly-spaced grid of 5 vertical lines and 5 horizontal lines.
• Middle School: The eighth grade students were required to arrange rocks based on their hardness.  Hardness is based on the Mohs Scale, basically if one mineral is capable of scratching another it must be harder. 

·         High School:  During AP biology, students learned how to use family pedigree to predict the mode of

           inheritance and gene arrangement on the chromosomes based on linkage.

Organize:  To put together into an orderly, functional, structured whole; to induce to join a labor union;

Synonyms:   classify, compose, or standardize; establish;

• Elementary:  Elementary students use the 6 Traits of Writing model, which includes idea, voice, organization, convention, fluency, and word choice.
• Middle School:   The students learned how General Washington organized his troops for a surprise attack on the British on Christmas Day in December 1776.  
• High School: During a writing unit in English class, the students learned how to organize a research paper and document it with MLA citations.

Organization is a huge issue for many students.  Here are some hints to get your son/daughter organized:

• An organized backpack saves time and ergonomic design prevents back aches.
• Encourage good paper management. Help kids fully maximize their notebooks to create effective filing systems.
• Develop a homework plan and stick to it. Talk to your child weekly about key school assignments and events, and then create a checklist with to-do items.  Then cross off each item or task after it has been completed.
• Technology helps students work more efficiently.   A flash drive can help transport research and partially completed work between home and school.
• Use visible reminders to help the chronically forgetful. Try using a simple, wearable reminder system that can help to jog your child's memory. Mead Wrist Reminders (less than $3.00) are temporary paper-bracelets that children can wear (and write-on) to remember to do anything, from turning in permission slips to being home at a certain time.
• Place shoes, coats, keys, backpacks and anything else needed for the next day, by the exit door or in the car every evening to avoid last minute searching for misplaced items.

Middle and high school students might enjoy reading “Get Organized Without Losing It” by Janet S. Fox.  Or, you can request a free booklet, "50 Ways to Manage Your Time"  by logging on to www.ineedmoretime.com.

One last thought on organization by Carolee Cannata, owner of “The Organizer,” a professional home and office organizing service…”There is a huge stress with disorganization and there is also a cost to being disorganized.”

Tradition:  the handing down of information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth

       or by practice:

Synonyms:  statements, beliefs, legends, customs,

Sentences: 

• Elementary:  The second grade students study holidays, customs, and traditions as part of their social studies curriculum.

• Middle School:  The seventh graders compared the traditions of the ancient Greeks to the ancient Egyptians.
• High School: During a unit on cultural diversity, the students were required to compare and contrast two cultures as to their systems of beliefs, knowledge, values, and traditions.

Culture:  the attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization; Synonyms:   civilization, conventions, customs, folkways, habits, or lifestyles; 

Sentences:

• Elementary:  In learning about the culture of people living in North, Central, and South America, the second graders read folktales and sang songs related to the topics.
• Middle School:   Seventh graders discussed how culture affected the economic, political, and social systems of ancient civilizations.
• High School: During a world history class, the students were asked to discuss this question, “How does  culture change to accommodate different ideas and beliefs?” 

December is a great month in which to learn about the holidays and traditions of different cultural groups.  Here are some books you may want to read:   

Beginning Readers - “Kwanzaa Fun: Great Things to Make and Do” (Holiday Fun Series) by Linda Robertson:  Learn the history and the seven principles of Kwanzaa while you build a kinara and mishuma saba, paint a family tree, construct unity dolls, weave a mkeka, and make a unity cup. “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story” by Gloria Houston:  Jewel-like paintings by two-time Caldecott Medal winner Barbara Cooney capture all of the season's warmth and mountain flavor in this heartwarming holiday story.  “D Is for Dreidel: A Hanukkah Alphabet Book” by Tanya Lee Stone:  This fantastic introduction to the holiday includes rhyming text and words that correspond with that letter, plus at the end of the book is the complete story of Hanukkah!

Young Readers – “Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels” by Deborah Heiligman:  The vivid photography of National Geographic illustrates the joyous celebrations of Jewish people around the world as they light menorahs, spin dreidels, and make latkes.  “Holidays Around The World: Celebrate Christmas: With Carols, Presents, and Peace” by Deborah Heiligman:  Learn the global nature of Christmas with Pere Noel in France, Santa Claus in America, La Befana in Italy, and the Three Kings of Hispanic cultures.  “Story of Kwanzaa” by Donna L. Washington:  Learn about  the seven-day festival that begins on December 26 and celebrates the bounty of the earth (Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in Swahili) and teaches seven principles or beliefs—one for each day.

Advanced Readers – “Celebrations!” by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley: This calendar of celebrations, arranged by seasons, describes holidays and festivals of all major religions and cultures from around the world.  It is a delightful book that will enrich and increase understanding of the world in which we live.     

Gift giving is a part of many family traditions.  Donald E. Westlake, award-winning American author, has given us a quote to remember, “As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.”

Explain:  to make clear; to make known in detail;

     Synonyms:  clarify, define, or demonstrate;

Sentences: 

• Elementary:  The third grade students compared samples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks and then explained their similarities and differences. 

• Middle School:  The sixth graders completed poster projects that explained the properties of the different forms of matter.
• High School: In biologyy class, the students were required to explain the energy transformations that occur in a chloroplast as light energy is converted to the chemical bond energy of carbohydrate.

Example:  an item that is typical of a class or group; something that represents others of the same kind;

Synonyms:   sample; illustration; model;

Sentences:

• Elementary:  During a unit on the weather, the students were asked to draw examples of different types of precipitation.
• Middle School:   Each eighth grade student  selected two examples of whales, one baleen and one toothed whale, to compare in terms of length, weight, body shape, tail flukes, and feeding habits.
• High School: After studying complexity of coral reefs in marine biology class, the students reported on threats the reefs are facing, and gave examples of possible solutions to those threats. 

As the holiday shopping season is upon many of us, keep in mind that a good book is always a great gift.  Perhaps a title from the Children's Choices for 2008 list will appeal to you.  Children's Choices, a project of a joint committee supported by International Reading Association and The Children's Book Council, is the result of 12,500 school children from different regions of the United States who read and vote on the newly published children's and young adults' trade books that they like best.  This list is designed for use not only by teachers, librarians, administrators, and booksellers, but also by parents, grandparents, caregivers, and everyone who wishes to encourage young people to read for pleasure.  Three books for each age group will be highlighted.  For the complete list, log on to www.reading.org and search “Children’s Book Choices.”

Beginning Readers - “Big Bug Surprise: by Julie Gran: Prunella's unending knowledge of insects saves her class from disaster. As her class celebrates, Prunella presents her show-and-tell surprise, much to the delight of her classmates.  “Deep in the Swamp” by Donna M. Bateman:  Young readers engage with poetry, information, and counting practice as they learn combined facts about swamps and the animals that live there.  “Grumpy Bird” by Jeremy Tankard:  This story is about a bird that wakes up grumpy. It takes some animal friends to help brighten his day by joining him on a walk.

Young Readers – “Do Not Open: An Encyclopedia of the World's Best-Kept Secrets” by John Farndon:  The name of the book alone gets readers to pick it up. Once open, the reader finds it packed with weird and interesting facts. This book contains much more than just trivia.  “The Painted Circus” by Wallace Edwards:  Each page reveals an intriguing optical illusion or visual puzzle for the reader to solve, from spotting pirates to counting ducks.  “Real-Life Sea Monsters” by Judith Jango-Cohen:  This book asks, Are sea monsters fact or fiction? Vivid illustrations grab the reader's attention from the first page. Deep-sea tall tales are contrasted with current research.

Advanced Readers – “Ghosts” by Stephen Krensky:  This informational book examines topics such as why people have been intrigued by ghosts for centuries, famous ghosts from the past, modern ghosts, haunted places, how to contact ghosts, and movies and television shows that feature ghosts.  “Girl Wonders” by Karen Salmansohn:  This book contains a series of wonderings by Alexandra, who isn't quite sure what being a teen is all about. Readers will laugh out loud at her bizarre family and friends and will identify with her as she experiences her first crush.  “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” by Brian Selznick:  The combination of graphics, black and white photographs, and absorbing, unique text make this a must-read book. Readers feel a kinship with the main character and enjoy his fantastic adventure.

Garrison Keillor, American author, storyteller, and humorist said it the best, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

Are you aware of the difficulty levels on the Math MCAS?  Below are three examples of specific vocabulary used in questions from the 2008 assessments.

Computation:  calculation;

Synonyms:  figuring; totaling;

Sentences:  

• Elementary:  Students in Grade 3 were required to perform computations after reading a table showing the number of different colored balloons sold at a parade.
• Middle School: When answering open response questions, students are required to show all work, including diagrams, tables, and computations in order to receive full credit.

• High School:  Student in Grade 10 were required to complete computations for a reading problem involving clothing, the original prices, and sales with a certain percentage off of the original price.

Grid:  a network of horizontal and vertical lines, uniformly spaced, for locating points on a map, chart, or aerial photograph by means of a system of coordinates.

Synonyms:   matrix; latticework;

Sentences:

·    High School:  After being shown a line is shown on a coordinate grid, students were asked to determine which multiple choice answer best represented the equation of the line.

Is math a problem for your child?  You may want to try this book, “Math Power: How To Help Your Child Love Math, Even If You Don't” by Patricia C. Kenschaft.  The author shares her strategies for understanding and teaching math concepts, explaining what math is and how it works. Her lively techniques for understanding math—through games, questions, and conversations, as well as specific math activities—can help preschoolers to ten-year-olds develop math ability.  Middle and high school students may want to log on to the Ask Dr. Math website for help with specific math disciplines.  Log on to http://mathforum.org/dr.math/ for a vast array of topics.

Games are a great way to increase mathematical skills.  Some personal favorites include Battleship, Monopoly, Yahtzee, Bingo, Rummikub, and Dominoes.  Any board game that involves rolling dice, counting moves, or planning strategies will help increase math skills.  Also, don’t forget card games.  A deck of cards is very inexpensive and can provide hours of family fun.  So turn off the television, shut down the computer, and gather the family around the kitchen table for a few hours of education and fun.

                                                                                                                                                   Apparently the importance of games is not a new concept as indicated in this quote from Michael de Montaigne (1533-1592), one of the most influential writers of the French Renaissance:  “It should be noted  that the games of children are not games, and must be considered their most serious actions.”     

Environment:  the external factors that surround or affect something;  social and cultural forces that shape lives; 

Synonyms:  setting, surroundings, locale;

Sentences: 

• Elementary: During science class the second grade students learned about animals that live in an ocean environment.
• Middle School:   The middle school students learned about the Amazon rainforest and the effects of human interaction with that environment.
• High School: In biology class, the students completed a series of experiments to demonstrate the effects of acid rain on soil/stone, plant, and animal materials in our environment.  

Pollution:  the introduction of harmful substances into the environment;

Synonyms:   contamination, infestation;

Sentences:

• Elementary:  The second grade students learned about the importance of recycling and how to reduce pollution as part of their unit of study on the environment. 
• Middle School:   During a unit of study on