3 • Lesson 2 Word List

attract

(v) To bring or draw closer.
The large red flowers attracted both the hummingbird and Ming.

attractive (adj) Pleasing to the eye or mind.
The bakery window, filled with pies, cakes, and cookies, was so attractive that Jean and I entered the shop.

attraction (n) Something that draws attention.
One attraction Karen attends every September is the chowder festival near the dock.

crew

(n) A group of people working together, especially one that runs an airplane or large vessel.
The crew worked quickly to take down the sails on the boat before the storm hit.

dangle

(v) To hang loosely.
Not yet ready to go into the pool, Ramona and Fernando sat by the edge and dangled their feet in the water.

drift

(n) A pile of sand or snow created by moving air or water.
The drifts of snow in the driveway mean that we will all have to help with the shoveling.

(v) To be carried along by moving air or water.
Liz climbed onto the rubber raft and let herself drift along the river for a while.

event*

(n) Something that happens, especially something important.
The big event of the week for Johnette and Derek was going to see Swan Lake with their aunt.

launch

(n) An open motorboat that is used for short distances.
The launch carried our class across the bay to one of the islands for a picnic.

(v) 1. To put a boat or vessel in the water.
Leon and Greta launched the canoe onto the pond and started to paddle toward the other side.

2. To get something started.
Ms. Pinsky and Mr. Miller launched the clean-up day by giving everyone a pair of thick work gloves and some large plastic bags.

opposite

(adj) 1. Very different from.
It is difficult to believe Ruth and Emily are sisters because they are opposite in so many ways.

2. Facing or moving away from each other.
After they got off the bus, Jorge and Janelle said good-bye and walked off in opposite directions.

reverse*

(v) To go backward or in the direction one just came from.
We laughed when Daniel suddenly reversed direction by walking backward.

(adj) Back to front.
One side of this coin shows a head, and the reverse side shows a building.

signal

(n) An object, action, or sound that gives a message or a warning.
Seeing the flashing red signal, Antonio told his brother they had to wait to cross the street.

(v) To do something that gives a message or warning.
Jeff signaled the start of the race by dropping a white handkerchief.

steer

(n) A young bull.
The herd of thirsty steers gathered near the stream.

(v) To guide the direction of.
Bonnie carefully steered her bicycle around the rocks.

The Articles of Confederation The first government of the United States. Known for it's weak central government, it gave most power to the states and had limited ability to tax, raise an army, or enforce laws.

Bill of Rights a list of rights and freedoms guaranteed to the people and protected from government abuse

1st Amendment Part of the Bill of Rights that protects freedoms such as speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. It limits government power by ensuring people can express ideas and beliefs without interference.

Separation of Powers A principle of the U.S. government where power is divided among the 3 branches of government so that no one branch or person can have too much power.

checks and balances A principle of the U.S. government where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches

The Constitution The formal written plan that outlines the principles, structures, and powers of government.

Executive Branch The branch of government that carries out laws and runs the government on a daily basis. Consists of the President, Vice President, and cabinet

Legislative Branch The branch of government that makes laws. Consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Judicial Branch The branch of government that interprets laws and decides if they are constitutional. Consists of the Supreme Court and the entire court system.

Federalism A principle of the U.S. government where power is divided and shared between a national government and state governments.

The Great Compromise An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that combined the Virginia Plan (favoring big states with representation based on population) and the New Jersey Plan (favoring small states with equal representation). It created a two-house Congress with both ideas.

Three-Fifths Compromise An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that said enslaved people would count as three-fifths of a person when deciding a state’s population for representation in Congress and for taxes.