Learning Activity

Greek and Latin Roots Introduction

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

5

Overview

Students will view a video about prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Students will receive a Greek and Latin Roots Guide. Students will work in small groups to identify words that contain Greek and Latin roots. They will also identify the definitions of these words and use them in sentences. Students will complete an Exit Slip to show understanding of Greek and Latin roots.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.12

Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.5.12

Vocabulary

  • Domain-specific vocabulary
  • Academic vocabulary
  • Figurative language

Knowledge

Student know:
  • Academic vocabulary is language that is more formal than spoken language.
  • Domain-specific vocabulary refers to words that are used specifically in school subject areas, like math, science, and social studies.
  • Figurative language is a creative way to use words and phrases beyond their literal definition to explain or describe something.
  • Strategies to determine the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns in text.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Interpret the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary, academic vocabulary, and figurative language as they are used in texts.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies they can use to interpret the meaning of academic and domain-specific vocabulary, including using context clues in the text, their background knowledge, the morphological structure of the word, and outside resources.
  • Words and phrases, including figurative language, can have different meanings in different texts.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.12e

Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

Unpacked Content

UP:ELA21.5.12e

Vocabulary

  • Common Latin roots
  • Common Greek roots
  • Common Latin affixes
  • Common Greek affixes

Knowledge

  • Many English words and English morphemes originated from ancient Latin and Greek languages.
  • Understanding Latin and Greek roots and affixes can provide clues to meanings of unknown words.

Skills

  • Identify and use Latin and Greek affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word.

Understanding

  • The meaning of an unknown word can be learned by knowing the morphology and orthography of the word, including its origin.

Phase

Before/Engage
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words.

Activity Details

1. Have students view the video-Latin and Greek Roots and Affixes | Reading | Khan Academy. The video will go over Latin and Greek affixes and roots. After the video, discuss with students how Latin and Greek affixes and roots can help you identify the meaning of words. Review some of the roots that were talked about in the video. For example, dent is a Latin root that means "tooth". Write dentist on the board and model how knowing the Latin Root helps you define the word dentist.

2. The teacher will pass out the Greek and Latin Roots Guide. Go over each root and meaning. Give students a few minutes to fill in any example words they know with these Greek and Latin Roots. The Greek and Latin Roots Guide will be something the students keep in a folder and binder. Do not collect. It can be used as a guide for future activities and serve as a study guide for a test.

3. Divide students into groups of three to four. Each group will receive a large piece of white paper and markers. The teacher will assign the students a Greek or Latin root from the guide-loc, flect, cycl, phon, log/logos, and graph. The students will work together to create a graphic organizer that includes the following information: the Greek or Latin root, words that contain that root, sentences that use these words in context, and a picture for each word. Students will visit the provided websites to help them identify words that contain the Greek or Latin root they have been assigned:

loc

flect

cycl

phon

log/logos

graph

Show students this Example to help them organize their information. You could also complete an example on the board together.

3. The teacher should facilitate as students work. The teacher should listen in on groups and provide guidance where needed. After groups have finished, allow each group to present their words, definitions, sentences, and pictures. Students can fill in more example words on their Greek and Latin Roots guide as groups present.

4. Students will complete this Exit Slip at the conclusion of the lesson.

Assessment Strategies

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will assess the Greek and Latin Roots activity the students completed together in small groups. The teachers will check to see that the students have:

  • identified words with the assigned Greek or Latin Root
  • accurately defined words that contain the assigned Greek or Latin Root and used them correctly in sentences

The teacher will assess the completed Exit Slip. The teacher will check to see that the students:

  • are able to use Greek and Latin roots as clues to the meanings of words.
  • have identified Greek and Latin roots they would like more practice with

Related Learning Activities

Learning Activity (Before)

Greek and Latin Roots Introduction

Learning Activity (During)

Greek and Latin Roots

Learning Activity (After)

Greek and Latin Roots Independent Practice

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

The teacher will need to make copies of the Greek and Latin Roots Guide.

The teacher will need to have chart paper/big white paper and markers for the small group activity. 

The teacher will need to upload the Google Form (Exit Slip) to the digital platform students use for digital activities. The teacher will also need to upload the website links.

Digital Tools / Resources

Latin and Greek Roots and Affixes | Reading | Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/ela/cc-4th-reading-vocab/x5ea2e43787f7791b:cc-4th-g…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

tmasuoka
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