Word Knowledge Unit

Objectives:

The learner will recognize Latin and Greek root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
The learner will understand how to build words using these components.
The learner will create flashcards of the roots and prefixes.
The learner will work with the class to produce one "word tree."
The learner will choose 2 roots and create "word trees" for them using Paint.
The learner will share the word tree by printing it and adding it to the Vocabulary Builder Bulletin Board.

Materials needed:

Paper/pencil
Computer and Paint program

Length of time:6 class days--45 minutes each day

Procedure:

The teacher will

The students will

Day 1

Introduce Latin/Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes by using a newspaper story to point out words that are derivatives.

Read story silently and mark the Latin and Greek derivatives on their copy as the teacher points them out.

Day 2

Have students copy list of Latin/Greek roots onto flash cards with their meanings on the back.

Create Latin/Greek root flash cards.

Day 3

Have students copy list of Latin/Greek prefixes and suffixes onto flash cards with their meanings on the back.Have them create words of their own by combining the roots and prefixes.

Create Latin/Greek root flash cards.Play with the cards to create new words with roots and prefixes.Look up the words on an online dictionary to see if they are really words.

Day 4

Create a class word tree on the board.

Assign each students his/her root to create their word tree.

Work with large group to create word tree example for class.Work on a rough draft of individual word trees using the root assigned by the teacher.Use an online dictionary to help find derivatives for root.

Day 5-6

Allow all students time on the computer to draw their word tree using Paint

Use the Paint program to draw a tree and branches with the Latin/Greek Root as the trunk and its derivatives on the branches.

Day 6

Post word trees to Vocabulary Builder Bulletin Board.

Day 6

Print word tree in color for teacher.

Assessment:Click here for grading criteria for this unit.

Flashcards
Participation in Class Word Tree
Word Tree

Notes:This activity would be ideal in a classroom with 4 or 5 computers.However, it could be managed with one or by using a lab setting.In a lab, all students would have access to a computer to produce their individual word trees and access to a printer for their final copy.

Back to Literacy Unit Page

The teacher will	The students will
Day 1 Introduce Latin/Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes by using a newspaper story to point out words that are derivatives.	Read story silently and mark the Latin and Greek derivatives on their copy as the teacher points them out.
Day 2 Have students copy list of Latin/Greek roots onto flash cards with their meanings on the back.	Create Latin/Greek root flash cards.
Day 3 Have students copy list of Latin/Greek prefixes and suffixes onto flash cards with their meanings on the back.Have them create words of their own by combining the roots and prefixes.	Create Latin/Greek root flash cards.Play with the cards to create new words with roots and prefixes.Look up the words on an online dictionary to see if they are really words.
Day 4 Create a class word tree on the board. Assign each students his/her root to create their word tree.	Work with large group to create word tree example for class.Work on a rough draft of individual word trees using the root assigned by the teacher.Use an online dictionary to help find derivatives for root.
Day 5-6 Allow all students time on the computer to draw their word tree using Paint	Use the Paint program to draw a tree and branches with the Latin/Greek Root as the trunk and its derivatives on the branches.
Day 6 Post word trees to Vocabulary Builder Bulletin Board.	Day 6 Print word tree in color for teacher.