Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Flip-a-Chip: Examining Affixes and Roots to Build Vocabulary

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

6

Overview

The Flip-a-Chip activity turns ordinary poker chips into a teaching tool, showing students how different affixes and roots can be joined to make words and then placed into a context-rich paragraph. Each set of chips contains two-word roots and two affixes that can be combined into four different words. For example, the prefixes im- and sup- might be written on the two sides of one poker chip, and the roots pose and press on the other chip. The four possible words (impose, impress, suppose, suppress ) are inserted into four blanks in a paragraph according to context clues. After practicing with both real and "virtual" chips (in the Flip-a-Chip online interactive), students work in pairs to create their own set of chips and corresponding paragraph. They exchange their packets to see whether the context clues are strong enough to enable classmates to fill in the blanks correctly.

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 6

    ELA21.6.R1

    Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.6.R1

    Vocabulary

    • Active listening
    • Discussion
    • Conversation
    • Rules
    • Participation

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Active listening skills.
    • How to engage in discussions and conversations in a variety of settings.
    • Agreed-upon rules for participation.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Demonstrate active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings.
    • Converse in pairs, small groups, and large groups.
    • Practice the agreed-upon rules for participation.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Conversations and discussions follow agreed-upon rules which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 6

    ELA21.6.R2

    Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar spoken or written words.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.6.R2

    Vocabulary

    • Context clues
    • Determine
    • Unfamiliar spoken words
    • Unfamiliar written words

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Context clues in speech or text can provide the meaning of unfamiliar words.
    • There are different types of context clues, including inference/general clues, definition/explanation clues, restatement/synonym clues, and contrast/antonym clues.
    • Context clues in text are often indicated by punctuation marks.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Use context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words in speech.
    • Use context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words in text.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • An author or a speaker use context clues to explain the meaning of unusual words or academic, domain-specific vocabulary.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 6

    ELA21.6.28

    Discover word meanings through active listening in various contexts.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.6.28

    Vocabulary

    • Active listening

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Active listening skills.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Learn the meanings of unfamiliar words through active listening in contexts such as classroom discussions, oral presentations, and digital formats.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • They can learn the meaning of unfamiliar or unknown spoken words by using active listening skills.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    ReadWriteThink
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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