Root Words

Lesson Plan for Content Literacy/Language Instruction

Time: 2-3 class periods

Grade/Class/Subject: Grade 8 Enrichment

Unit/ Theme: Greek and Latin root words Content/Objectives: Students will learn a new way to understand content vocabulary; an individual strategy for reading and learning Literacy/Language Objectives: •

Students will understand that certain terms of Greek/Latin origin represent semantic meanings in larger vocabulary words

•

Students can identify the Greek/Latin roots in a larger word

•

Students will learn a list of new vocabulary words associated with each root

Key Vocabulary:

Reading Material:

The roots ped-, man/manu

Vocabulary sheet

Lesson Sequence Background Connections: The concept is introduced by explaining the levels of word study from phonics to semantic analysis. This learning process begins with phonics, and progresses through identifying sight words, distinguishing multiple meaning words, learning affixes, and finally semantic analysis of words using root words. A graphic showing the continuum will help students understand the process they have been involved in. Learning Activities: Begin by introducing the first root, ped-. Read each word aloud with the

students. Next, have them use highlighters to highlight the root ped- in each word as you read them again, including the definition. Allow the students a few minutes to reflect on the words before moving on. Next distribute the strips of the round robin reading in random order, or let the students choose one face down. Begin with the first students and go through the list. Now, give the students their own set of words and definitions for ped-. They will need to cut the boxes and have a complete set. Distribute envelopes for safe keeping. Repeat the same process, only this time using the root, man/manu-. Closing Activities: When students have two sets of roots and words, have them pair up and play memory. The person with the most matches wins! If there is time, the students can play in a tournament. Assessment/Product: For each root there is a corresponding quiz from the book. Give the quiz about a week after introducing the first root. Allow the students a limited amount of time to complete the quiz, say three minutes. Then correct the quiz. The goal is for the students to learn and use the strategy, so another check will be required. When enough roots have been covered, have students pair up and make an A3 size poster of their assigned root including: Root, meaning, an example, and an appropriate graphic to hang in the room.