Each week in this class students will be introduced to important and advanced vocabulary words. They will explore word definitions, origins and usage. We will review engaging writing samples that use the vocabulary words in context while exploring a variety of topics. In each meeting of this class students will be introduced to at least four vocabulary words, but they will also expand their knowledge to learn how to decode the many words they will be exposed to in other school course-work. Students will receive demonstrations on how to learn more about the meaning and usage of each word. Students are given comprehension checks in class, and they will have opportunities to ask questions about the words and the topics, and they are guided to make personal relations to the words to increase retention and memory. Please note because this class can inspire an large amount of conversation and questions/answers, there is a chance that some class sessions will last slightly longer than 40 minutes. This class gives students a chance to regularly work on their writing and vocabulary and receive teacher feedback on all submitted writing samples. Then students will be given a writing prompt based on the lesson, and they are asked to use at least three of the new vocabulary words in each short essay. Essay length expectations are usually about one or two paragraphs. Writing prompts will vary from letters, creative writing and nonfiction texts. Feedback will include notes on grammar, spelling, punctuation, clarity and other areas as needed. 
On going lesson topics may vary and the vocabulary taught in each lesson is not exclusive to the topic listed, but has diverse application: 
Feb  4th - 9th Jeopardy
Feb 11 - 17 Valentine's Day
Feb 18 - 24 Profiles of Inspiration
Feb 25 -      Alternate Communication Forms