It's Greek to Me!

Summary

Students will use Greek root words, suffixes and prefixes, to 'create' polysyllable words.

Materials

• Blank paper
• List of Greek Root Words (See attachments)
• Chart of prefixes and suffixes with meanings (See attachments)
• Word Context Chart (See attachments)

Background for Teachers

Understand prefixes, suffixes and roots. Pace the lesson for two days.

Student Prior Knowledge

Students understand:

1. How to use a dictionary.
2. What the words prefix, suffix, and root or base word mean.
3. What a syllable is.

Instructional Procedures

1. Provide for each student a dictionary, list of affixes, and list of Greek root words.
2. Instruct students to combine roots and affixes to 'create' words.
3. Students then check each word using a dictionary and verify each word's validity, meaning, and spelling.
4. Enter each valid word on a word context chart.
5. Students can finally enter each valid word in their journal or personal dictionary.

Extensions

• Make flash cards for prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
• Use Latin root words. (See attachments)

Assessment Plan

Use words for a spelling test.