Which of the new words do you already know?  Which words sound familiar to you? Can you think of a situation where you may have heard the word used?

Read the short essay that uses each of the new words. Write a synonym for each word that would make the most sense in the context of the sentence.

Starting High School

Starting a new school year usually engenders a copious range of emotions for students. Most kids feel nervous and a little ambivalent in regards to the returning to school.  Beginning high school may only augment those mixed feelings.  While it can be a very exciting time, it can also be a scary time for some teens. First, the high school is a much bigger place, so many teens fear getting lost in the building. Second, there are many more students which may cause some kids to feel either conspicuous or a sense of anonymity. Additionally, classes may be larger and students are expected to be more independent and autonomous.   Consequently, it is not uncommon for teens to feel distraught or worried that they will not be able to cope with all of the new demands that are placed on them or afraid that they might not fit in. These are normal emotions.  However, once students garner the daily routines and become familiar with their teachers and their expectations, those confusing emotions will be assuaged and the high school experience will be less overwhelming.

Look up the meaning of each word. Complete a Word Map for each word. Write the definition in your own words.