If your students haven't read the Divergent book series, then they've seen the movies! The best-selling books turned movie blockbusters not only tell an incredible story, but they expose kids to sophisticated vocabulary words! So when I got the chance to interview author Veronica Roth back in 2012, I jumped at the chance. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to ask Veronica about vocabulary words and why students should be passionate about learning words. Today I'm reposting my interview with Veronica Roth so other educators can play it in the classroom to inspire students to learn vocabulary.
This book series is awesome because it promotes great language; it is set in a future world where people are divided into factions- and each faction title is a highly sophisticated vocabulary word! The factions: Abnegation-the selfless, Dauntless-the brave, Amity-the peaceful, Candor-the honest, and, of course, my favorite-Erudite, the intelligent. When my students asked me which faction I would align myself with, I immediately responded “Erudite.” Despite their sinister motives in the series, I just can’t help myself. Plus, the titles of the books-Divergent and Insurgent-are equally smart!
I was intrigued to learn Veronica had to use a thesaurus herself until she found the best word to label each faction. Such a revelation is a powerful message to students who think that they can never have the vocabulary of a writer…they just need to keep studying their words and learning to use vocabulary tools!
I encourage teachers to play this interview in the classroom and then discuss the impact words can have in communication, careers, writing and more! This short video is a perfect way to start or end the class period.
So take a seat and let Veronica Roth motivate your students to keep working at increasing their lexicons!
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