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In this lesson, small groups of students will use the VT to assist them in an inquiry based approach to discovering the meanings of some common Latin and Greek roots. Then, each student will then teach a particular root and related vocabulary words to another group of students through a "jigsaw" exercise.  Continue reading...

When we asked Patricia Wood, author of the novel Lottery, what she reads to inform her writing, she replied: "It is so difficult for me to choose -- I have so many favorites that continually rotate depending on what I need as a writer." Patricia graciously suggested these books: (Thanks, Patricia!)

The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux. "About a man who takes his family to the wilds of Central America as told by the young son. A great story using an unforgettable narrator. As a writer, I study this book repeatedly for characterization."

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I like to call my budding writing career a "Menopausal Epiphany." I had not written a single creative word (other than school and college essays) until I hit 50 -- a landmark year that brought home the ravages of menopause and then some. Fighting Mother Nature was a losing battle, so I decided to put those yo-yoing hormones to creative use instead.  Continue reading...

Pecha Kucha Night is "a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public." But here's the catch: Each presenter is given just 20 seconds to show 20 images, making it lively and fun. 80 cities now have these events. Check out where here.

Scholar Fred R. Shapiro is an authority on quotations and the editor of the seminal Yale Book of Quotations, a compendium of over 12,000 bits of wisdom by notable people through history. A Mount Everest of quotes! Which got us wondering: Why the fascination with quotes? And how do we know that Mark Twain quote was actually quipped by Mr. Clemens? We called up Fred to find out:  Continue reading...

Fred Shapiro, the editor of The Yale Book of Quotations we interview in this week's "Behind the Dictionary" feature, recommends these books on the history and importance of quotations:

The Quote Sleuth by Anthony W. Shipps

Nice Guys Finish Seventh: False Phrases, Spurious Sayings, and Familiar Misquotations by Ralph Keyes

They Never Said It: A Book of Fake Quotes, Misquotes, and Misleading Attributions by Paul F. Boller

The World in a Phrase: A History of Aphorisms by James Geary