significant (adjective) noticeably big or important

• Sample Sentence: Eli doesn’t think a phone ban will make a significant difference in how students perform in class.

• Turn and Talk: What is the most significant movie you’ve seen this year?

retain (verb) to keep; to hold in place

• Sample Sentence: Many parents want their children to retain their phones during the day.

• Turn and Talk: What is one personality trait you have retained as you’ve gotten older?

devise (verb) to come up with or plan

• Sample Sentence: Eli’s school just devised a new cell phone policy.

• Turn and Talk: If you could devise your own robot, what would it do?

effect (noun) a result or outcome

• Sample Sentence: Experts are worried about the effect smartphones are having on young people.

• Turn and Talk: What effect does caffeine have on you?

inhibit (verb) to prevent; to keep from happening

• Sample Sentence: Research has also found that the mere presence of a smartphone on the table or in the room inhibits focus.

• Turn and Talk: Does constant communication with parents through cell phones inhibit teens’ independence? Why or why not?