March Into Literacy Month

What can you find in MARCH INTO LITERACY MONTH?

A lexagram (or lexigram) is a form of wordplay where the letters in a name or phrase are shuffled to create new words. These new words make short statements that, ideally, describe the original term. For example, the word ASTRONOMICAL has letters to make the words STAR, SOLAR, and CORONA, as well as to create each word in the phrases AN ASTRAL SAILOR IN NASA and ROMANTIC MOONLIT MARTIAN CANALS. Look for where the letters in each word can be found in ASTRONOMICAL. To make a lexagram, find words hidden in the letters of your name or a short phrase, then use those terms to make sentences that describe the original name. To make it easy to read, the original phrase and any words found within it are CAPITALIZED.

The letters in
MARCH INTO LITERACY
can make the words which say

CATCHER IN THE RYE CAN TEACH LITERARY CHARACTER IN AN ANTIHERO

and

INHERIT A THEATRICAL TRIAL IN A MCCARTHY MORAL TIME
(Otherwise known as Inherit the Wind)

Vocabulary words found within MARCH INTO LITERACY:

• LITERARY terms: THEMATIC, RHYME, LYRIC, CLICHE, HARMONY, IRONY, CANTICLE, LACONIC
• MYTHICAL CYCLE:  LATIN, ROMAN, ITALIAN, HOMERIC, CRETAN, AEOLIAN, CRIMEA, THRACIAN, IONIC, ITALIAN, ITHACA, ATHENA, CHIMERA, CHIRON, TITAN, TRITON
• Question for Egyptian archaeology: A MILITARY CHARIOT OR A HIERATIC RELIC?
• CICERO – ORATORICAL RHETORIC ON ANCIENT ROME
• LITERACY: A MERRY MENTAL METRIC
• Religious terms like LAITY, CHANCERY CHANTER, LAYMAN, CLERIC, MINOR MIRACLE, TORAH, MECCA, MENORAH, RECTORY and TRINITY.
• For instructors: TEACH THEM, THEN ALOHA TAHITI

The letters in
MARCH INTO LITERACY MONTH

can make the words which say

AMY TAN, ANN M MARTIN, MICHAEL CRICHTON, ANNE RICE, and TOM CLANCY

as well as the terms NARNIA and THE TIME MACHINE

What’s Missing?

When discussing words-within-words, it is customary to capitalize the words made from letters in the original phrase. When presenting words not found in the original, parentheses are used. Several important small words cannot be found, such as (is) (be) or (big). One cannot make the words (letters make words) (found original), or (read and write) from letters available in that source phrase.

Literacy Awareness

The month of March celebrates two big holidays for readers and writers: The birthday of Dr. Seuss (March 2) and the annual Read Across America Day (March 3) sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). As a complement to National Literacy Month in September, the festivals for literacy can continue in the spring by declaring March Into Literacy Month. Dictionaries traditionally define literacy as the ability to read and write. In the modern world, this is one way of interpreting literacy. One more broad interpretation sees literacy as knowledge and competence in a specific area. The concept of literacy has evolved in meaning. The modern term’s meaning has been expanded to include the ability to use language, numbers, images, computers, and other basic means to understand, communicate, gain useful knowledge, solve mathematical problems and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture.

Learn More

The letters in a name or phrase can form many other words. Several descriptive lexagrams can be made from them and, when place together, can create a biographical perspective. A lexagram (or lexigram) is a form of wordplay where the letters in a name or phrase are shuffled to create new words. These new words make short statements that, ideally, describe the original term. For example, the word ASTRONOMICAL has letters to make the words STAR, SOLAR, and CORONA, as well as to create each word in the phrases AN ASTRAL SAILOR IN NASA and ROMANTIC MOONLIT MARTIAN CANALS. Look for where the letters in each word can be found in ASTRONOMICAL. To make a lexagram, find words hidden in the letters of your name or a short phrase, then use those terms to make sentences that describe the original name. To make it easy to read, the original phrase and any words found within it are CAPITALIZED.

When searching for words-within-words, shuffling the sequence of letters in the name or phrase is very helpful. While an online generator is great to quickly obtain a list of candidate words which are valid for lexagrams or anagrams, there is much fun to be found in searching for words yourself! Changing the sequence of the letters in a phrase give our brains a fresh perspective on the situation. New words will seem to jump out after simply re-arranging the letters into a new pattern. Rearrange the letters carefully and find new words. Continue exploring by studying the sequences of letters in this name.

Make your own lexagrams. Read about it and look for key words hidden in the letters of the phrase.

What words can you find in MARCH INTO LITERACY MONTH?

Look for words related to books, food, animals, nature, or sports – use your imagination!