STEMS Are a Systematic Approach to the Study of Vocabulary

Welcome to STEMS

·  STEMS are a systematic approach to the study of vocabulary.

·  STEMS, also called Caesar’s English, derive from Greek and Latin words.

·  STEMS are words within a word that help decode the meaning.

·  Examples include:

STEM DEFINITION Examples (Spelling Words)

bi two bicycle, biweekly

pre before predict, prepare super over supervise, superior

·  Students are given a unit of spelling words and STEMS to review and drill over a 2 week period. Students will be tested on: correct spelling of words, definition of STEMS, and correct context and sentence usage.

·  Tests alternate every Friday. Spelling Test on week 1 and STEMS Test on week 2. STEMS tests are cumulative; therefore, students must study ALL STEMS from previous weeks. Example: STEMS Test #1 will cover 5 STEMS and STEMS Test #5 will cover 25 STEMS. STEMS tests will also include correct context and sentence usage of spelling words that week.

·  The STEMS spelling packet can be located online on our class website under the Reading and Writing link. Students also have a copy of the entire packet in their writing folder or binder.

The first Spelling Test is Friday, January 9th.

The first STEMS Test is Friday, January 16th.

STEMS – Unit 1

1.  bi = two

2.  sub = under

3.  de = down

4.  pre = before

5.  super = over

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 1

1.  bilingual – speaking two languages fluently

2.  biweekly – happens every two weeks or twice a week

3.  submarine – a naval ship made to operate under water

4.  submerge – to put under or plunge into water

5.  descend – to come or go down from a higher place or level to a lower one

6.  deposit – 1) to place for or as if for safe keeping 2) to put money in a bank

7.  predict – to figure out and tell beforehand

8.  prepare – to make ready beforehand for some particular reason

9.  supervise – to oversee

10.  superior – 1) situated higher up 2) one that is higher in rank, importance, or quality

STEMS – Unit 2

1.  un = not

2.  inter = between

3.  semi = half

4.  dis = away

5.  sym = together

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 2

1.  unequal – not alike (as in size or value)

2.  unable – not able

3.  international – of, relating to, or affecting 2 or more nations

4.  interact – to act upon one another

5.  semicircle – half of a circle

6.  semiformal – moderately formal (ex. church clothes)

7.  dismiss – to send away

8.  distract – to draw the mind or attention to something else

9.  symmetry – close agreement in size or shape

10.  symphony – 1) a large orchestra 2) a long musical composition

STEMS – Unit 3

1.  circum = around

2.  mal = bad

3.  post = after

4.  equi = equal

5.  ped = foot

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 3

1.  circumference – 1)the line that goes around the circle 2) the distance around something

2.  circumnavigate – to go completely around (as the earth) especially by water

3.  dismal – depressing, causing gloom or misery

4.  malicious - doing mean things for pleasure; motivated by wrongful, or mischievous purposes

5.  postscript – a note added to the end of a letter or book (P.S.)

6.  postpone – to put off until some later time

7.  equilateral – having all sides or faces equal

8.  equivalent – alike or equal in number or value

9.  pedicure – a foot treatment that could include soaking the feet and polishing the toenails

10.  peddler - a person who goes door to door on foot trying to sell a product

STEMS – Unit 4

1.  aqua = water

2.  audi = hear

3.  script = write

4.  cede = go

5.  sect = cut

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 4

1.  aquatic – growing, living or done in water

2.  aquarium – 1) a container in which living water animals are kept 2) a building in which water animals are exhibited

3.  audience – a group that listens or watches

4.  auditorium – the part of a public building where an audience sits

5.  script – a set of papers with writing that will be read out or acted out

6.  prescription – a piece of paper written by a doctor that lets you get medicine at a pharmacy

7.  recede – to move back or away

8.  precede – to be or go before in importance, position, or time

9.  dissect – to cut apart for the purposes of investigation

10.  intersection – the point at which two line or roads meet and cut across each other

STEMS – Unit 5

1.  cred = believe

2.  miss = send

3.  cide = kill

4.  dict = say

5.  man = hand

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 5

1.  credible – possible to believe; deserving belief

2.  credential – a document that proves a person is believable

3.  intermission – a break between acts of a play or performance during which people are sent out for snacks or stretch breaks

4.  missile – an object (stone, arrow, bullet or rocket) that is dropped, thrown, shot or launched usually so as to strike something at a distance

5.  herbicide – a chemical substance used to destroy the growth of plants (ex. weeds)

6.  pesticide – a substance used to destroy pests

7.  dictator – a leader who speaks and rules with total power

8.  verdict – the decision a jury makes in a trial; the decision said by the jury

9.  maneuver – to handily or skillfully go around something; the act of changing the directions of a moving object(s) Ex. ship, vehicle, troops

10.  manipulate – to skillfully operate by hand; to manage or influence skillfully, especially in an unfair manner

STEMS – Unit 6

1.  spec = look

2.  pend = hang

3.  omni = all

4.  re = again

5.  port = carry

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 6

1.  perspective – one way of looking at things

2.  spectator – a person who looks on (as at a sports event)

3.  dependent – relying on someone else for support OR a person that relies on another for support

4.  pending – 1) not yet decided 2) while waiting for

5.  omnivore – an animal or person that eats food of both plant and animal origin

6.  omniscient - knowing everything

7.  refrain – 1) stop oneself from doing something again 2) phrase or verse that is repeated in a song or poem

8.  reunion – the act of reuniting, the state of being reunited

9.  export – to carry out of the country; send goods or services to another country for sale

10.  portable - capable of easily being carried

STEMS – Unit 7

1.  bene = good

2.  graph = writing

3.  nov = new

4.  cogn = know

5.  tri = three

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 7

1.  beneficial – producing good results; helpful

2.  benevolent – kind; good-hearted

3.  biography – a book written about a person’s life

4.  bibliography – the written list of all the books used in a report or book

5.  novice – a person who has no previous experience with something; a beginner

6.  novelty – something new or unusual

7.  recognize – identify (someone or something) from having encountered them before

8.  incognito – with one’s identity kept secret

9.  trilogy – a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme

10.  triathlon – an athletic contest in which each athlete competes in three events (swimming, cycling, and running)

STEMS – Unit 8

1.  ject = throw

2.  dorm = sleep

3.  auto = self

4.  chron = time

5.  geo/terra = land/earth

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 8

1.  injection – a shot; the throwing of medicine into the body by needles

2.  reject – to throw something out because its defective and can’t be used again

3.  dormant – being in an inactive state for the time being

4.  dormitory – 1) a sleeping room, especially for a lot of people 2) a residence hall having many sleeping quarters

5.  autograph – a person’s signature written by hand OR to write one’s signature in or on a book

6.  autobiography – the biography of a person written by that person

7.  chronic – continuing for a long time or returning often (ex. a chronic disease or cough)

8.  chronological – arranged in or according to the order of time

9.  geology – the study of the earth, specifically rocks and planet’s crust

10.  territory – an area, region, or piece of land

STEMS – Unit 9

1.  archy = government

2.  bio = life

3.  auto = self

4.  chron = time

5.  dec = ten

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 9

1.  Monarchy – government ruled by one person (ex. King)

2.  Anarchy – the condition of a country where there is no government or law and order

3.  Biotic – of or having to do with life or living organisms

4.  Biography – a written history of a person’s life

5.  Autograph – a person’s signature written by hand OR to write one’s signature in or on a book

6.  Autobiography – the biography of a person written by that person

7.  Chronic – continuing for a long time or returning often (ex. A chronic disease)

8.  Chronological – arranged in or according to the order of time

9.  Decade – a period of ten years

10.  Decimal – based on the number 10: numbered or counting by tens

STEMS – Unit 10

1.  geo = earth

2.  scope = look

3.  anti = against

4.  intro = into

5.  quad = four

Spelling Words & Definitions

Unit 10

1.  Geography – a science that deals with the location of living and nonliving things on earth and the way they affect one another 2) the natural features of an area

2.  Geology – a science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks 2) the geologic features of an area

3.  Telescope – an instrument shaped like a long tube that has lenses for viewing objects at a distance and especially for observing objects in outer space

4.  Microscope – an instrument with one or more lenses used to help a person to see something very small by making it appear larger

5.  Antibody – a substance produced by the body that counteracts the effects of a disease germ or its poisons

6.  Antisocial – being against or bad for society 2) unfriendly

7.  Introduce – to bring into practice or use 2) to lead or bring in especially for the first time 3) make known

8.  Introvert – to turn or direct inward 2) to concentrate one’s interests upon oneself

9.  Quadrilateral – a figure of four sides and four angles

10.  Quadruple – having four parts 2) multiplied by four