Visual ThesaurusMock Lesson

The national standards require that students, beginning in fourth grade, know common Greek and Latin roots and affixes and use this knowledge to analyze the meaning of complex words. So our students would already know some roots, this would be more of an overview and introduction to some new words. This would be a good introduction at the beginning of the year for vocabulary, and every week new roots and affixes could be added for weekly vocabulary.

Noun Meanings Learning the roots of English can help

strengthen your vocabulary. How can the “roots” of a language be

compared to other kinds of foundational “roots”?

“Root”

Today you will also be applying the meaning of "root" that refers to "the place where something begins" and will therefore be discovering some of the ancient Latin roots that long ago contributed to the formation of English words that you now encounter and use in your everyday lives.

Does good deeds

Does good deeds

A good blessing

Does good deeds

A good blessing

Something that

promises “well being”

Does good deeds

A good blessing

Something that

promises “well being”

Also does good deeds

Does good deeds

A good blessing

Something that

promises “well being”

Also does good deeds Good or

well

“Mal” “Pedis” “Ject” “Dict” “Scrib”Maladjusted Pedestrian Eject Contradict Describe

Malcontent Pedal Inject Dictate Prescribe

Malady Pedometer Project Diction Subscribe

Malfeasance Pedicure Reject Predict Transcribe

Words Containing Latin Roots

Look up the words on VT and write down their meanings

Determine the root’s meaning based on those definitions

Jigsaw approach

Next…

Challenge students to create original words using some of the roots discussed in class in conjunction with one another or with another root they know or discover on-line. Students will have fun making goofy words or serious words. Have students share these words with the class and describe their definitions.

Wrap-up

Groups' analyses of ancient roots' meanings can be assessed on accuracy and their use of the VT to validate their analysis.

Students' understanding of specific roots presented in the jigsaw groupings could be easily assessed by giving the class a "roots quiz" to see how many roots they interpret correctly.

Assessment