You will construct a 5 paragraph letter to Presiden Obama, in response to a statement he made in his speech to the high school students of Amer ica:
.....And dropping out of high school is no longer an option. It's not just quitting on yourself; it's quitting on your country. And this country needs and values the talents of every American.
Discuss how this statement motivates you. We will discuss this further in class. For those of you who would like to get started... here are some key points:
In a global economy, where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity. It is a pre-requisite.
Right now, three-quarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma, and yet just over half of our citizens have that level of education. We have one of the highest high school dropout rates of any industrialized nation, and half of the students who begin college never finish.
This is a prescription for economic decline, because we know the countries that out-teach us today will out-compete us tomorrow. That is why it will be the goal of this administration to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education, from the day they are born to the day they begin a career. That is a promise we have to make to the children of America.
4. locusts (n.) Page 60 Any of numerous grasshoppers of the family Acrididae, often migrating in immense swarms that devour vegetation and crops
5. solitude (n.) Page 60 remoteness from habitations, as of a place; absence of human activity
6. shanties (n.) Page 60 a crudely built hut, cabin, or house
7. glimpse (n.) Page 60 a very brief, passing look, sight, or view.
8. hypnotic (adj.) Page 60 inducing sleep
9. garbled (adj.) Page 61 confused or jumbled
10. conniptions Page 65 fit of hysterical excitement or anger
11. adrenaline Page65 A hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla that is released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress, as from fear or injury. It initiates many bodily responses, including the stimulation of heart action and an increase in blood pressure, metabolic rate, and blood glucose concentration
Chapter 8
1. mellowed (v.) Page 78 Having the gentleness, wisdom, or tolerance often characteristic of maturity
2. ricocheted (v.) Page 85 to move an object or a projectile in rebounding or deflecting one or more times from the surface over which it is passing or against which it hits a glancing blow.
3. slogged (v.) Page 88 to walk or plod heavily
Chapter 9
1. sulk (v.) Page 94 to remain silent or hold oneself aloof in a sullen, ill-humored, or offended mood
2. gumption (n.) Page 95 courage; spunk; guts
3. ornery (adj.) Page 101 ugly and unpleasant in disposition or temper
4. lingered (v.) Page 109 To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance; tarry
Chapter 10
1. badger (v.) Page 112 to harass or urge persistently; pester;
nag
Chapter 11
1. allegedly (adv.) Page 123 according to what is or has been declared or stated
2. deplorable (adj.) Page 127 causing or being a subject for reproach or disapproval; wretched; very bad
3. avenging (v.) Page 127 taking vengeance or exact satisfaction for
4. accomplice (n.) Page 128 a person who knowingly helps another in a crime or wrongdoing, often as a subordinate.
5. integrity (n.) Page 128 adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty
6. indignation (n.) Page 128 strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger.
7. aroused (v.) Page 128 to stir to action or strong response; excite
8. condone (v.) Page 129 to disregard or overlook something illegal, objectionable, or the like
Chapter 12
1. subpoena (n.) Page 133 the summoning of witnesses or the submission of evidence, as records or documents, before a court or other deliberative body.
2. agitators (n.) Page 134 one who disturbs or excites emotionally; arousers; perturbers
3. rabblerousers (n.) Page 134 a person who stirs up the passions or prejudices of the public, usually for his or her own interests; demagogue
4. spouting (v.) Page 136 To speak volubly and tediously
Chapter 13
1. caravan (n.) Page 148 a group of travelers, as merchants or pilgrims, journeying together for safety in passing through deserts, hostile territory, etc.
2. indicted (v.) Page 149 To make a formal accusation against a party by the findings of a jury, especially a grand jury.
Chapter 14
1. bayou (n.) Page 157 a marshy arm, inlet, or outlet of a lake, river, etc., usually sluggish or stagnant
2. prospective (adj.) Page 161 potential, likely, or expected
3. unsubstantiated (adj.)Page 167 unproved or unverified
4. snickered (v.) Page 173 To utter a partly stifled laugh
5. apprenticeship (n.) Page 175 working for another in order to learn a trade
