Points and Punctuation

Points and Punctuation Points and Punctuation Points and Punctuation By Mark Nichol Point and words and compounds containing that root, as well as terms with the element punct- and some similar (and not so similar forms), are all cognate, deriving from the Latin verb pungere, meaning â€Å"prick† or â€Å"stab.† Such words are listed and defined in this post. appoint: officially fix or set, or assign or name, or equip or furnish as appropriate; an appointee is a person assigned to an office or position, and an appointment is such an assignment, or an office or position itself, or an arranged meeting (or equipment or furnishings collectively); someone who is self-appointed has taken it upon himself or herself to occupy a literal or (usually) figurative position of authority ballpoint: a type of pen with a point consisting of a small rotating metal point from which ink is transferred to a surface on contact; usually called a ballpoint pen bluepoint: a type of oyster cashpoint: British English term for an ATM checkpoint: a location, generally at a border or entrance, at which entry is monitored colorpoint: a color pattern on a domestic cat consisting of a light-colored body with darker features compunction: misgiving, anxiety as a result of feelings of guilt, or distress about anticipation of an event or outcome contrapuntal: adjectival form of counterpoint (see next entry) counterpoint: something that complements or contrasts with something else, the use of a combining or contrasting element in a work of art, or a melody independent of a given melody; as a verb, arrange or compose in counterpoint, or set in contrast dew point: the temperature at which vapor condenses disappoint: fail or frustrate; disappointment is the quality of failure or frustration, or someone who or something that causes such feelings drypoint: an engraving made without fluid, or a print made from such an engraving embonpoint: plumpness end point: the point of completion of a process or stage; as endpoint, a point or value marking the end of a line segment, an interval, or a ray expunge: mark for deletion, or destroy, eliminate, or obliterate eyepoint: the position of placement of an eye in relation to an optical instrument being used flashpoint: the lowest temperature at which vapors produced by a volatile combustible substance will ignite when exposed to flame, or a point at which something suddenly is created or takes place or someone takes action goldpoint: the temperature equivalent to the melting point of gold gunpoint: the muzzle of a gun (used in the expression â€Å"at gunpoint,† meaning â€Å"having a gun pointed at one†) interpoint: a system of embossing braille on both sides of a paper interpunction: see punctuation knifepoint: the point of a knife blade (used in the expression â€Å"at knifepoint,† meaning â€Å"having a knife pointed at one†) midpoint: the halfway point in a journey, a race, or a process needlepoint: embroidery on a base of canvas, or lace on a base of paper, accomplished with a needle; also a verb describing the action of producing embroidery or lace outpoint: outscore, or sail closer to the wind than another vessel pen point: a metal attachment used for drawing or writing with ink pink: perforate ornamentally or cut a saw-toothed edge on, or pierce or stab, or figuratively wound with speech (other senses of pink are unrelated) pinpoint: a very small or insignificant thing, or a small or sharp point such as the point of a pin; as a verb, precisely aim, locate, or identify, or highlight poignant: emotionally cutting, piercing, or touching, or apt or stimulating, or, in the context of smell, pervasive point: a detail or essential point, the purpose or significance of something, a particular place or position or a geometric element marking a position, an exact moment or interval, a degree, stage, or step, a projecting part or marking, a unit for measuring or tallying, a compass position, any of various punctuation marks or other small marks, a short musical phrase, the head of a bow used with a stringed instrument, a small military detachment ahead of or behind an advance or rear guard or the foremost member of a military patrol, one of various positions of a player in team sports, or the credit or goodwill created by making a good impression; as a verb, sharpen or give emphasis, punctuate or mark with diacritics, direct attention to or indicate direction or position (as with a finger), turn to a particular direction, or indicate a fact or probability point blank: at close range point break: the point at which a wave breaks as it makes contact with a point of land point man: the foremost member of a military patrol, or an advocate, spokesperson, representative, or person at the forefront of a movement or organization point of view: a perspective or position for consideration or evaluation of something pointe: in ballet, a position of balance on the tip of a toe (sometimes referred to as â€Å"en pointe†) pointed: having a point, conspicuous, pertinent, or aimed at an individual or a group pointer: a stick used to direct an audience’s attention to a particular part of a display; a hint or suggestion; any of various breeds of hunting dogs; or a type of computer memory address pointillism: the painting technique of applying small dots or strokes of color to a surface that blend together from a distance; a practitioner of this technique is a pointillist pointless: ineffective or senseless pointy: coming to a point, or having various points that stick out pour point: the lowest temperature at which a substance flows punch: a tool for piercing or for applying pressure to a small area, or a hole or notch produced by a punch; a blow or the action of punching, or energy or forcefulness; strike or prod, or perforate or apply pressure as with a punch, or give emphasis or move forcefully; the sense of â€Å"fruit drink† is unrelated punctate: marked with dots, points, or small spots, or an area so marked punctation: marking of an area with dots, points, or small spots punctilio: a detail in conducting a ceremony or observing a code punction: a piercing punctual: on time; the quality of being on time is punctuality punctuate: mark or divide with punctuation marks such as commas and periods, divide into or interrupt at intervals, or accentuate or emphasize punctuation: symbols used to separate and clarify meaning of units of written content, or the act of using such marks, or something that accentuates or emphasizes punctulate: marked with small spots puncturation: the act, process, or state of being punctured, or arrangement or form of punctures puncture: an act of physically piercing or figuratively damaging, a hole or wound made by piercing, or a small depression; as a verb, pierce or deflate pungent: painful or pointed, or having an intense flavor or odor, or creating an irritating sensation silverpoint: a drawing technique using silver on a specially prepared surface standpoint: see â€Å"point of view† touchpoint: a point of contact between a buyer and a seller viewpoint: see â€Å"point of view† waypoint: a location on a route Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? 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Teaching Strategies to Promote Student Equity

Teaching Strategies to Promote Student Equity Designing a classroom learning environment where all students are being attended to (even the ones who may not seem to be engaged) may seem like an impossible task when you are in a classroom of twenty elementary students. Luckily, there are a host of teaching strategies that foster this type of learning environment. Sometimes these strategies are referred to as equitable teaching strategies or teaching so that all students are given an equal opportunity to learn and thrive. This is where teachers teach to all students, not just the ones that seem to be engaged in the lesson.​ Often times, teachers think they have designed this wonderful lesson where all students will be willfully engaged and motivated to participate, however, in actuality, there may only be a few students who are engaged in the lesson. When this happens, teachers must strive to structure their students learning environment by providing a place that maximizes fairness and allows all students to equally participate and feel welcomed in their classroom community. Here are a few specific teaching strategies that elementary teachers can use to promote student engagement and foster classroom equity. The Whip Around Strategy The Whip Around strategy is simple, the teacher poses a question to his/her students and gives every student the opportunity to have a voice and answer the question. The whip technique serves as an important part of the learning process because it shows all students that their opinion is valued and should be heard. The mechanics of the whip are simple, each student gets about 30 seconds to respond to the question and there is no right or wrong answer. The teacher whips around the classroom and gives each student the chance to voice their thoughts on the given topic. During the whip, students are encouraged to use their own words to describe their opinion on the set topic. Often times students may share the same opinion as their classmates but when put into their own words, may find out their ideas are actually a little different than they first thought.   Whips are a useful classroom tool because all students have an equal opportunity to share their thoughts while actively being engaged in the lesson. Small Group Work Many teachers have found integrating small group work to be an effective way for students to equally share their thoughts while staying engaged in the lesson. When educators structure opportunities that require students to work together with their peers, they are giving their students the best possible chance for an equal learning environment. When students are placed in a small group of 5 or fewer individuals, they have the potential to bring their expertise and thoughts to the table in a low-key atmosphere. Many educators have found the Jigsaw technique to be an effective teaching strategy when working in small groups. This strategy allows students to support one another in order to complete their task. This small group interaction allows all students to collaborate and feel included. Varied Approaches As we all know now after must research, all children do not learn the same or in the same way. This means that in order to reach all children, teachers must use a variety of approaches and techniques. The best way to teach equitably to a large number of students is to use multiple strategies. This means that the old singular teaching approach is out the door and you must use a variety of materials and strategies if you want to meet all learners needs. The easiest way to do this is to differentiate learning. This means taking the information that you know about the way each individual student learns and using that information to provide students with the best possible lesson. Studies have shown that using different strategies and techniques to reach different learners is the best possible way that teachers can cultivate a classroom of equity and engagement. Effective Questioning Questioning has been found to be an effective strategy to promote equity and make sure all students are actively being engaged. Using open-ended questions is an inviting way to reach all learners. While open-ended questions require some time to develop on the teachers part, it is well worth it in the long run when teachers see all students actively and equally being able to participate in classroom discussions. An effective approach when using this strategy is to give students time to think about their answer as well as to sit and listen to them without any interruptions. If you find that students have a weak answer, then pose a follow-up question and continue to question students until you are sure they have understood the concept. Random Calling When a teacher poses a question for his/her students to answer, and the same children constantly raise their hands, how are all students supposed to have an equal chance at learning? If the teacher establishes a classroom environment in a non-threatening way where students can be chosen to answer a question at any time, then the teacher has created a classroom of equality. The key to the success of this strategy is to make sure that students do not feel pressure or threatened to answer in any way, shape or form. One way that effective teachers use this strategy is to use craft sticks to call upon random students. The best way to do this is to write down each students name on a stick and place them all into a clear cup. When you want to ask a question you simply pick out 2-3 names and ask those students to share. The reason you choose more than one student is to minimize the suspicion that the only reason the student is being called upon is that they were misbehaving or not paying attention in class. When you have to call upon more than one student it will ease all students anxiety level. Cooperative Learning Cooperative learning strategies are perhaps one of the simplest ways teachers can effectively keep their students engaged while promoting equity in the classroom. The reason being is it gives students the opportunity to share their thoughts in a small group format in a non-threatening, non-biased way. Strategies like think-pair-share where students each take a specific role in order to complete a task for their group and round robin where students can equally share their opinion and listen to the opinion of others gives students the perfect opportunity to share their thoughts and listen to the opinions of others. By integrating these types of cooperative and collaborative group activities into your daily lessons, you are promoting participation in a collaborative versus a competitive way. Students will take notice which will help turn your classroom into one that cultivates equality. Enforce a Supportive Classroom One way teachers can cultivate a classroom of equality is to establish a few norms. A simple way to do this is to verbally address the students at the beginning of the school year and let them know what you believe in. For example, you can say All students are treated with respect and When sharing ideas in class you will be treated with respect and will not be judged. When you establish these acceptable behaviors students will understand what is acceptable in your classroom and what is not. By enforcing a supportive classroom where all students feel free to speak their mind without feeling or being judged you will create a classroom where students feel welcomed and respected.