Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Reflection 3
Studying for the vocabulary required for this class has had quite an impact on me. Each week I learn several words I would never be familiar with had it not been for this class. I've always though learning new words was fun. I really like expanding my lexicon because not only does it make me sound more intelligent and erudite, but because it's just nice to understand people most of the time. Most words I am not already familiar with don't usually pop up a lot, but when they do, I notice them right away and find use of them. I do not approach vocabulary in a different way, but rather I pay attention more on how I process it. For instance, usually I just read the word and memorize the general meaning of the word. I try to use it in a sentence, and then once I've got it, I move on to the next word. It used to be almost like an innate process for me. If it hadn't been for this class I never would've noticed what exactly my process was for learning new words. I've always thought I was just memorizing the words instead of learning them. I've realized that there is a significan difference between those two concepts. Because of my process to learn, I have embedded those new unfamiliar words into my brain and can now use them with little difficulty. I occasionally use some of the words I have learned from this class. I'm used to using what's already in my vocabulary because I'm not confident in using some of the unfamiliar words, but sometimes I try and succeed in using them correctly. After the test, I find myself remembering most of them. I forget a few only because I know that I will not see them or use them that often. I should go over the words multiple times to learn them, because when they do show up somewhere, I should be able to know what they mean.
scant
scant
source sentence: What I eat for breakfast connects me to the planet, deep into its past with the fossilized remains of plants and animals which are now fuel, as well as into its future, when these non-renewable resources will likely be in scant supply.
context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) lacking, restricted, (ant.) abundant, sufficient, (ex.) A gas tank with hardly any gas left in it is an example gas in scant supply.
definition: barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate
original sentence: When I came back from my neighbor's house to borrow some milk, I was upset because he gave me a scant cupful.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scant
source sentence: What I eat for breakfast connects me to the planet, deep into its past with the fossilized remains of plants and animals which are now fuel, as well as into its future, when these non-renewable resources will likely be in scant supply.
context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) lacking, restricted, (ant.) abundant, sufficient, (ex.) A gas tank with hardly any gas left in it is an example gas in scant supply.
definition: barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate
original sentence: When I came back from my neighbor's house to borrow some milk, I was upset because he gave me a scant cupful.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scant
camaraderie
camaraderie
source sentence: They enjoy the outdoors, the camaraderie and the various skills involved.
context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) brotherhood, (ant.) enemy, (ex.) People who are good neighbors and help eachother out are an example of camaraderie.
definition: conradeship; good-fellowship
original sentence: During Stalin's reign over Russia, camaraderie was a huge platform of the nation.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/camaraderie
source sentence: They enjoy the outdoors, the camaraderie and the various skills involved.
context clues: indirect example clues, inference clues, (syn.) brotherhood, (ant.) enemy, (ex.) People who are good neighbors and help eachother out are an example of camaraderie.
definition: conradeship; good-fellowship
original sentence: During Stalin's reign over Russia, camaraderie was a huge platform of the nation.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/camaraderie
contemptuous
contemptuous
source sentence: When, in my 20s, I read the great humanitarian Albert Schweitzer's writings on reverence for life, I became a vegetarian and even more contemptuous of hunters.
context clues: inference clues, (syn.) disdainful, sneering, (ant.) respectful, (ex.) A parent punishing their child is an example of a contemptuous parent.
definition: showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful
original sentence: If the girl did not listen, the old woman threatened to strike here with a contemptuous hand.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/contemptuous
source sentence: When, in my 20s, I read the great humanitarian Albert Schweitzer's writings on reverence for life, I became a vegetarian and even more contemptuous of hunters.
context clues: inference clues, (syn.) disdainful, sneering, (ant.) respectful, (ex.) A parent punishing their child is an example of a contemptuous parent.
definition: showing or expressing contempt or disdain; scornful
original sentence: If the girl did not listen, the old woman threatened to strike here with a contemptuous hand.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/contemptuous
harried
harried
source sentence: the workers stand loosely grouped and at ease, but my uncle looks as harried and tense as a police officer trying to unsnarl a New York City traffic jam.
context clues: example clues, (syn.) molest, trouble, (ant.) tranquilize, (ex.) A frustrated person police officer is an example of a harried person.
definition: to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry
original sentence: Because Joshua was having such a bad day, no one was more harried after the news about possible lay offs at the office than he was.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/harried
source sentence: the workers stand loosely grouped and at ease, but my uncle looks as harried and tense as a police officer trying to unsnarl a New York City traffic jam.
context clues: example clues, (syn.) molest, trouble, (ant.) tranquilize, (ex.) A frustrated person police officer is an example of a harried person.
definition: to harass, annoy, or prove a nuisance to by or as if by repeated attacks; worry
original sentence: Because Joshua was having such a bad day, no one was more harried after the news about possible lay offs at the office than he was.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/harried
arduously
arduously
source sentence: I have a place on the East Coast, where our neighbor is so much a part of our family that my mother never passes her house at night without glancing at the lights to see if she is home and safe; where my parents have hauled hundreds of pounds of rocks from fields and arduously planted Christmas trees and blueberries, lilicas, asparagus, and crab apples; where my father still dreams of angling a stream to a new bed so that he can dig a pond in the field and fill it with water and fish.
context clues: inference clues, indirect example clues, (syn.) diligently, (ant.) lazily, lathargically, (ex.) A hard working person is an example of an arduous person.
definition: requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult
original sentence: The hunters arduously trudged through the jungle to find food for their tribe.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arduously
source sentence: I have a place on the East Coast, where our neighbor is so much a part of our family that my mother never passes her house at night without glancing at the lights to see if she is home and safe; where my parents have hauled hundreds of pounds of rocks from fields and arduously planted Christmas trees and blueberries, lilicas, asparagus, and crab apples; where my father still dreams of angling a stream to a new bed so that he can dig a pond in the field and fill it with water and fish.
context clues: inference clues, indirect example clues, (syn.) diligently, (ant.) lazily, lathargically, (ex.) A hard working person is an example of an arduous person.
definition: requiring great exertion; laborious; difficult
original sentence: The hunters arduously trudged through the jungle to find food for their tribe.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/arduously
Weekly Calendar/To Do List
To Do List:
1.) Finish TTTC
2.) Buy a birthday gift for Andrew
3.) Lab
4.) Laundry
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
topographic
tophographic
source sentence: If you were to view Earth from a great distance, as we sometimes view other plantes through telescopes, the most distinctive topographic features would be the enormous mountain ranges arranged in linear patterns that extend for thousands of kilometers.
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) geographic, (ant.) ...?
definition: the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality
original sentence: The location director of a major film wanted help on topographic issues relating to a small city being filmed so he asked the local geographer.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/topographic
source sentence: If you were to view Earth from a great distance, as we sometimes view other plantes through telescopes, the most distinctive topographic features would be the enormous mountain ranges arranged in linear patterns that extend for thousands of kilometers.
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) geographic, (ant.) ...?
definition: the detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality
original sentence: The location director of a major film wanted help on topographic issues relating to a small city being filmed so he asked the local geographer.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/topographic
Reflection 2
Last week I had plans to study and to finish all my homework. Unfortunately I did not follow through. The unforgiving cloud of laziness and procrastination hovered over me for most of the past week. I was not successful in fulfilling my acedemic plans. There is really no legitimate excuse for it. I was just too lazy. Instead of doing what I am supposed to be doing (finishing homework and studying for class discussions or tests), I go out with my friends or spend time with my boyfriend. I find myself in these situations during most of my life. Since I know what I am doing wrong, perhaps I should stop and do what is right. As a matter of fact I will. Whenever I am faced with a decision to go out or do homework, I will do what is right and focus on my acedemics before I can spend time with friends and others. It will be difficult and time consuming at first, but I know that in the long run, it will be better for me.
From last week to next week, adjustments such as the one in the last paragraph should be made. I should use my time wisely and efficiently. Whenever I feel "too lazy" to do homework I should tell myself to snap out of it and think of the choices I have: either I do my homework now and get it done for the next class; or I put it off until the last minute and stress over it, not doing what should be my best. Since I hate being pushed and hurried to finish things last minute, I will choose the most obvious choice: finish my homework for the next class. This way I will not have to worry about it at all, and I'll have some extra time on my hands to spend with whomever I wish.
From last week to next week, adjustments such as the one in the last paragraph should be made. I should use my time wisely and efficiently. Whenever I feel "too lazy" to do homework I should tell myself to snap out of it and think of the choices I have: either I do my homework now and get it done for the next class; or I put it off until the last minute and stress over it, not doing what should be my best. Since I hate being pushed and hurried to finish things last minute, I will choose the most obvious choice: finish my homework for the next class. This way I will not have to worry about it at all, and I'll have some extra time on my hands to spend with whomever I wish.
Calendar/To Do List
To Do List:
1.) Finish homework online
2.) Get a present for Andrew's birthday
3.) Study for discussion in Psych
4.) Finish rest of homework after dinner
Friday, March 6, 2009
Reflection 1
This coming school week will most likely be like any other school week. There are no big exams or papers due. My challenges include finishing up the last two week's work of this blog and registering in myreadinglab.com. There will be homework I need to keep up with. I find it a little difficult to motivate myself enough to actually start on homework for my classes, but once I start I usually keep going until I finish.
I know this week I'll find it hard to concentrate on my studies because of my younger brother, Chris. He's a senior in high school and is waiting on letters on behalf of his acceptance or denial of admissions to the colleges he applied for. The anticipation is palpable whenever I am around him. I get nervous just thinking about it too because I want him to succeed. I really wish he would calm down a little though. Then perhaps I can feel the pressure less and concentrate on what is going on in my life rather than his. I need all the concentration I can get because of all the homework and studying I need to finish.
I don't anticipate any other problems during this week. With the right mindset and environment, I should be able to finish all I need to for next week. The only thing different I should be doing is trying to concentrate more. Therefore, my challenges for this week include doing homework, studying, and making sure I can concentrate while doing so. I can use a few things I learned from my Read 96 class to achieve this week's goals: concentrate on doing homework or studying in 20 minute intervals. Hopefully all goes well.
I know this week I'll find it hard to concentrate on my studies because of my younger brother, Chris. He's a senior in high school and is waiting on letters on behalf of his acceptance or denial of admissions to the colleges he applied for. The anticipation is palpable whenever I am around him. I get nervous just thinking about it too because I want him to succeed. I really wish he would calm down a little though. Then perhaps I can feel the pressure less and concentrate on what is going on in my life rather than his. I need all the concentration I can get because of all the homework and studying I need to finish.
I don't anticipate any other problems during this week. With the right mindset and environment, I should be able to finish all I need to for next week. The only thing different I should be doing is trying to concentrate more. Therefore, my challenges for this week include doing homework, studying, and making sure I can concentrate while doing so. I can use a few things I learned from my Read 96 class to achieve this week's goals: concentrate on doing homework or studying in 20 minute intervals. Hopefully all goes well.
invariant
invariant
source sentence: "It develops in an invariant sequence of stages related to cognitive development."
context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) same, (ant.) changing, unconstant
definition: unvarying; constant
original sentence: Because the problem said the letter "n" was invariant, the student concluded it was a constant.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/invariant
source sentence: "It develops in an invariant sequence of stages related to cognitive development."
context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) same, (ant.) changing, unconstant
definition: unvarying; constant
original sentence: Because the problem said the letter "n" was invariant, the student concluded it was a constant.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/invariant
incongruity
incongruity
source sentence: "McGhee proposes that some incongruity (for example, something unexpected, absurd, inappropriate, or out of context) is usually the basis for humor."
context clues: formal definition clues, (syn.) dishonor, inappropriateness, (ant.) appropriate, pleasing
definition: the quality or condition of being inappropriate, unbecoming
original sentence: The elders found his dancing in the middle of the street very odd and full of incongruity.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/incongruity
source sentence: "McGhee proposes that some incongruity (for example, something unexpected, absurd, inappropriate, or out of context) is usually the basis for humor."
context clues: formal definition clues, (syn.) dishonor, inappropriateness, (ant.) appropriate, pleasing
definition: the quality or condition of being inappropriate, unbecoming
original sentence: The elders found his dancing in the middle of the street very odd and full of incongruity.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/incongruity
clandestine
clandestine
source sentence: "Washington also expanded the elaborate clandestine war agiast North Vietnam that it had begun in 1955."
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) hidden, secretive, (ant.) announced, apparent
definition: characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, esp. for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious
original sentence: CIA spies are usually very sneaky and clandestine.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clandestine
source sentence: "Washington also expanded the elaborate clandestine war agiast North Vietnam that it had begun in 1955."
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) hidden, secretive, (ant.) announced, apparent
definition: characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, esp. for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious
original sentence: CIA spies are usually very sneaky and clandestine.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/clandestine
mainstay
mainstay
source sentence: "On the Web, students can also find electronic versions of the most popular academic journals, the mainstay of research for faculty and advanced students."
context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) leader, (ant.) unimportant
definition: person or thing that acts as a chief support or part
original sentence: During the American Revolutionary War, Tea was thought to be the mainstay of the economy.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mainstay
source sentence: "On the Web, students can also find electronic versions of the most popular academic journals, the mainstay of research for faculty and advanced students."
context clues: indirect definition clues, inference clues, (syn.) leader, (ant.) unimportant
definition: person or thing that acts as a chief support or part
original sentence: During the American Revolutionary War, Tea was thought to be the mainstay of the economy.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mainstay
dissident
dissident
source sentence: "An observer can point to the inappropriateness of using the National Guard; to Nixon's speech on Cambodia (the follwoing day he referred to student dissidents as 'bums'); to the hysteria of local officials who called in the Guard; to the governer's overuse of them; to the sour mood of 1970 as the nation unhappily faced the prospect of final defeat in Indochina."
context clues: inference clues, (syn.) opposing, (ant.) agreeing
definition: disagreeing, as in opinion or attitude
original sentence: The editor threw out the peice on the president's financial plan because it was too dissident and opinionated.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dissident
source sentence: "An observer can point to the inappropriateness of using the National Guard; to Nixon's speech on Cambodia (the follwoing day he referred to student dissidents as 'bums'); to the hysteria of local officials who called in the Guard; to the governer's overuse of them; to the sour mood of 1970 as the nation unhappily faced the prospect of final defeat in Indochina."
context clues: inference clues, (syn.) opposing, (ant.) agreeing
definition: disagreeing, as in opinion or attitude
original sentence: The editor threw out the peice on the president's financial plan because it was too dissident and opinionated.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dissident
altercation
altercation
source sentence: "The odds on killing bystanders in an altercation were high."
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) arguement, dispute, (ant.) agreement
definition: a heated or angry dispute
original sentence: My brother and I engaged in an altercation for who gets the remote.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/altercation
source sentence: "The odds on killing bystanders in an altercation were high."
context clues: example clues, inference clues, (syn.) arguement, dispute, (ant.) agreement
definition: a heated or angry dispute
original sentence: My brother and I engaged in an altercation for who gets the remote.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/altercation
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