Vocabulary
Below is a list of words that, if studied, would help students fully understand the content within the novel:
Chapters 1-9
Umbilicus (chapter 1, page 1)– Naval.
Geodesic dome (chapter 1, page 3) – A dome-like structure developed by Buckminister R. Fuller.
Predilection (chapter 1, page 6) – A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something.
Metaphysical (chapter 2, page 15) – Pertaining to or of the nature of metaphysics.
Pellucid (chapter 2, page 17)– Translucently clear in appearance or understanding.
Dome (chapter 2, page 17) – Anything shaped like a hemisphere or inverted bowl.
Spastically (chapter 6, page 58) – Clumsy or a person who is affected by spasms.
Tensegrity structure (chapter 7, page 60) – A structure that reached perfect balance.
Gravity (chapter 7, page 67) – Seriousness.
Chapters 10-19
Perplexing (chapter 12, page 112)– Mystify, confound.
Frothy (chapter 12, page 115)– Unsubstantial
Dulcet (chapter 15, page 148) – Pleasing to the ear.
Revolution (chapter 16, page 156) – A sudden change.
Teeming (chapter 18, page 180)– Abounding or swarming with something, like with people.
Pentagram (chapter 19, page 190)– A five-pointed, star-shaped figure made by extending the sides of a regular pentagon until they meet, used as an occult symbol by musicians.
Befuddled (chapter 19, page 191)– To confuse.
Chapters 20-29
Procumbent (chapter 20, page 209)– Lying on the face, prone.
Synergy (chapter 23, page 236)– The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Hereditary (chapter 24, page 245) – Characteristic of one’s predecessors.
Fury (chapter 24, page 247) – Extreme fierceness or violence.
Punk rock (chapter 26, page 266) – A fast abrasive style of rock music of the late 1970s, characterized by aggressive or offensive lyrics and performance.
Palsied (chapter 26, page 270)– Paralyzed.
Hubris (chapter 29, page 296)– Excessive pride or self-confidence.
Chapters 30-33
Renegade (chapter 31, page 325)– One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.
Lunatic (chapter 32, page 332)– One who is insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon.
Quibble (chapter 33, page 340)– To evade importance of an issue by raising trivial objections.
Legacy (chapter 33, page 352) – Something handed down or received from an ancestor.
Authentic Ways to Engage Students with Vocabulary
ABC Chart: Use ABC chart for vocabulary in the novel. (It's in our handouts tab). Students would have their chart while reading and try to find a word for each letter of the alphabet as well as look up the definition. This will motivate the students to look up words they do not know as they read to enhance their comprehension and reading experience with the novel.
Vocabulary Jeopardy: Using Microsoft PowerPoint, create a game using the same structure as the popular gameshow, Jeopardy. The game is best used when projected onto a Smart Board and using student interaction.
Short Story: Using the vocabulary from The House of Tomorrow, have the students write a creative short story. The extent of the assignment will change depending on how many vocabulary words you require for incorporation.
