Key Vocab: Michelle Obama's Commencement Address

​Key Vocabulary:

Michelle Obama's Commencement Address​ to the Santa Fe Indian School

So inspirational

I am the great-granddaughter of Fraser Robinson, an illiterate houseboy who taught himself to read and became an entrepreneur, selling newspapers and shoes.

​Read the excerpt and determine the meaning of the bold word.

​Using Context Clues

This type of context clue gives an example.

Word Cloud

How would you define an entrepreneur?

Type your answer and submit!

(noun)

a person who organizes and manages a new business.​

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FUN FACT: This word is French!​

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​entrepreneur

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​Did you guess it? Give yourself a high five!

Multiple Choice

What is the best DESCRIPTION for an entrepreneur?

• Employee

• Risk-taker

• Quitter

​Using Context Clues

What could it mean to infuse the school with values?​

Read the excerpt and determine the meaning of the bold word.​

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When I learned about all of you, it was clear to me that our stories are connected, and that your values—the values that infuse this school—are the very same values that my parents handed down to me.

Multiple Choice

The school is infused with their stories and values.

What could infuse mean?

• to add or fill

• to erase

• to learn

(verb)

to add into or fill with something.​

​

​I like to infuse apple juice with cinnamon!!

​infuse

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I learned integrity from my parents—

that living a good life is not about being wealthy or powerful, it’s about being honest and doing what you say you’re going to do.

It’s about how you act when no one is watching,

and whether you’re the same person on the outside as you are on the inside.

​Read the excerpt and determine the meaning of the bold word.

​Using Context Clues

How would you define "integrity" in your own words?​

(noun)

the state of being honest, or having strong moral principles.​

​Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Not for credit or rewards.

​integrity

​

Multiple Choice

What is the best synonym for integrity?

• intelligence

• sarcasm

• honesty

• wealth

​Read the excerpt and determine the meaning of the bold word.

​Using Context Clues

How would you define "perseverance" in your own words?​

​And finally, my parents—especially my dad—taught me about perseverance. See, my dad had been an athlete his whole life, a swimmer and a boxer. But if he was frustrated or disappointed by his illness, he never let on. He just woke up extra early each day, slowly fastened each button on his uniform, and eased himself down the steps one leg at a time, to get to his job and provide for our family.

Multiple Choice

Which quote best reflects perseverance as it was described in the excerpt?

• "Winning is everything"

• "Listen to your parents"

• "Keep going!"

(noun)

the act of continuing to do something even though it is difficult.​

​DON'T GIVE UP!!!

​perseverance

​

Poll

How often do you show perseverance?

• Not often... I give up easily.

• Sometimes I push myself forward.

• I usually keep going when things are tough!

• 100%

  I NEVER GIVE UP!

​deliberate

​(adjective)

• intentional, done on purpose.

• done in a way that shows careful thought.​

  ​

"As we all know, this school was founded as part of a deliberate, systematic effort to extinguish your culture."

Multiple Choice

Choose the best synonym for deliberate.

• planned

• evil

• accidental

• unknown

​Read the excerpt and determine the meaning of the bold word.

​Using Context Clues

How would you define "implement" in your own words?​

​And so many of you have already stepped up to implement your projects in your communities...

​(verb)

to begin or put a plan into action.​

​implement

​GET READY TO PRACTICE THE VOCAB!!

Multiple Choice

Which word means BUSINESS OWNER?

• deliberate

• entrepreneur

• commencement

Multiple Choice

Which word comes from the root words that mean to POUR IN?

• deliberate

• infuse

• integrity

• perseverance

Multiple Choice

Which word means to keep going during difficult times?

• implement

• integrity

• perseverance

• speech

Multiple Choice

Which word means ON PURPOSE or WITH CAREFUL THOUGHT?

• deliberate

• entrepreneur

• perseverance

• integrity

Multiple Choice

What does it mean to IMPLEMENT a project?

• Cancel or pause

• Put a plan into action

• Match or double

• Sell or trade

Poll

OPINION: How do you feel about the vocabulary words?

• Struggling!! I'm confused.

• I got some words, but need more practice.

• I have a good understanding of the vocabulary!

• I know these words well AND can teach them to others!