In study this afternoon, there was a 5th grader who was making it very clear what he was looking up in the dictionary. Weird, nerd, and geek. I can only assume he is not looking up these terms for the betterment of his vocabulary, but for ammunition against another student. I made him stop and took the dictionary away.
But before I did, I was sad to see he got great enjoyment out of showing the various definitions to different students in the class. It's true the dictionary has unfriendly things to say about werid, nerd, and geek. And it makes great ammunition for bullies to use on other students. And it's not fair. Actually...it sucks. The geeky part of me wants to make a petition to Websters and get the definitions officially changed, but clearly that's a bit out of my reach. (At the moment.) Just for your records, here are Webster's definitions of weird, nerd, and geek.
Weird: Unusual or strange
Nerd: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
Geek: a person who is socially awkward and unpopular : a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people : a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity
The sad part is, some parts of these definitions aren't bad! Especially a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity (Geek). Unfortunetely, I doubt most kids use that definition.
So, for today I give you MY definitions of weird, nerd, and geek. Feel free to use as often as you want! And let your students know that what was once an appropriate defintion of a word, doesn't mean it still is. Make a lesson out of it! Have the students each pick 2 or 3 words that they don't like the definitions of and have them rewrite them! (If I taught language arts I would SO be doing this next week!)
Mrs. Powell's New and Improved Definitions
Weird: Strange, unusual, or different but in a positive and unique way. (Example: Tim Burton)
Nerd: A person who specializes in an intellectual pursuit with lack of regards to social status or public norms. (Example: Bill Nye, Sheldon Cooper)
Geek: A person who enjoys and obsesses over a specific area of study or interest. These people tend to be friendly, creative, and supportive of others like themselves. (Example: The Guys from Big Bang Theory)
Also, please help me come up with more examples!! I want to add to this and truthfully give it as a resource to other teachers. Thanks bunches!!
But before I did, I was sad to see he got great enjoyment out of showing the various definitions to different students in the class. It's true the dictionary has unfriendly things to say about werid, nerd, and geek. And it makes great ammunition for bullies to use on other students. And it's not fair. Actually...it sucks. The geeky part of me wants to make a petition to Websters and get the definitions officially changed, but clearly that's a bit out of my reach. (At the moment.) Just for your records, here are Webster's definitions of weird, nerd, and geek.
Weird: Unusual or strange
Nerd: an unstylish, unattractive, or socially inept person; especially : one slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
Geek: a person who is socially awkward and unpopular : a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people : a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity
The sad part is, some parts of these definitions aren't bad! Especially a person who is very interested in and knows a lot about a particular field or activity (Geek). Unfortunetely, I doubt most kids use that definition.
So, for today I give you MY definitions of weird, nerd, and geek. Feel free to use as often as you want! And let your students know that what was once an appropriate defintion of a word, doesn't mean it still is. Make a lesson out of it! Have the students each pick 2 or 3 words that they don't like the definitions of and have them rewrite them! (If I taught language arts I would SO be doing this next week!)
Mrs. Powell's New and Improved Definitions
Weird: Strange, unusual, or different but in a positive and unique way. (Example: Tim Burton)
Nerd: A person who specializes in an intellectual pursuit with lack of regards to social status or public norms. (Example: Bill Nye, Sheldon Cooper)
Geek: A person who enjoys and obsesses over a specific area of study or interest. These people tend to be friendly, creative, and supportive of others like themselves. (Example: The Guys from Big Bang Theory)
Also, please help me come up with more examples!! I want to add to this and truthfully give it as a resource to other teachers. Thanks bunches!!
RSS Feed