Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day
interdigitate \in-ter-DIJ-uh-tayt\ (verb)
Meaning: to become interlocked like the fingers of folded hands
Example Sentence: 'The edges [of bridge expansion joints] often are shaped like combs, the teeth of one interdigitating with teeth of the other.' (The Washington Post, January 14, 1998)
Did you know?
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that 'interdigitate' comes from the prefix 'inter-,' as in 'interlock,' and the Latin word 'digitus,' meaning 'finger.' 'Digitus' also gave us 'digit,' which is used in English today to refer to (among other things) the finger or toe of any animal. 'Interdigitate' usually suggests an interlocking of things with fingerlike projections, such as muscle fibers or the teeth of an old-fashioned bear trap. The word can also be used figuratively to imply a smooth interweaving of disparate things, such as the blending of two cultures within a shared region.
Motto and Mission Statement
"Language is the dress of thought; every time you speak, your mind is on parade."
-- Dr. Samuel Johnson
"Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back."
--Chinese Proverb
-- Dr. Samuel Johnson
"Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back."
--Chinese Proverb
Web Resources
The Reading Nook
- The 2010 Newbery Medal winner is "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead, published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books. Twelve-year-old Miranda encounters shifting friendships, a sudden punch, a strange homeless man and mysterious notes that hint at knowledge of the future. These and other seemingly random events converge in a brilliantly constructed plot.
- 2010 Newberry Honors Book: "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin, published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers. A rich tapestry of stories, both original and traditional, transports readers to a fantastic world where Dragon joins Minli on a fortune-changing quest.
- 2010 Newberry Honors Book: "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick, published by The Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. This rollicking yarn, presented through the voice of 12-year-old Homer, uses humor and pluck to mitigate the horrors of the Civil War.
- 2010 Newberry Honors Book: "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly, published by Henry Holt and Company. On the eve of the 20th century, 11-year-old Calpurnia awakens to new possibilities, and through her evolving relationship with her naturalist grandfather, learns to think like a scientist. Kelly’s rich, evocative language captures Callie’s distinctive voice and lively observations of the natural world.
- 2010 Newberry Honors Book: "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose, published by Melanie Kroupa Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Hoose reveals the true story of an unsung hero of the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose’s work stands out for its creative approach to narrative biography. Colvin’s own recollections are merged seamlessly with the narrative voice, providing a uniquely personal view of Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement.
Monday, January 18, 2010
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