LESSON TWO: Journey to Understanding Vocabulary
Students practice breaking words into roots and affixes to determine word meanings.
R1E Develop vocabulary through text, using roots and affixes.
§ Sources of literature
o Classroom copies of or cast of characters from The Odyssey
§ Supplies:
o Overhead, white board, chalk board
o Transparencies
o Transparency markers
§ Handouts provided
o Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes
o List of Characters from The Odyssey
§ Words to know
o affixes
o prefixes
o root
1. Discuss the following
§ Identify the parts of the word transport. trans port
§ What would trans be called? a prefix
§ What does pre mean?
§ What other words have the prefix trans? transcontinental transfer transcend
§ Based on your knowledge of these words, what does the prefix trans mean? across
§ If port means to carry, what would transport mean?
2. Discuss suffixes. Suffixes are added to the end of words.
§ If ation is the suffix, identify words ending in ation? Create a Word Wall.
§ Based on the words mentioned above, what is the meaning of transportation?
3. Brainstorm and record a list of prefixes, roots, and suffixes and their meanings. Divide students into groups. As groups, students make combinations of new words displayed during brainstorming session..
4. As a class, look at the List of Characters from The Odyssey handout. Students use the skills of prefixes, roots, and suffixes to divide the names. Sound out the names and determine their meanings.
§ Telemachus is the name of Odysseus’ son.
§ What other words begin with tele?
§ Given those words, what would you infer is the definition of tele?
§ What reason might the author, Homer, have had for naming this character Telemachus based on the definition of tele?
5. Use the Jigsaw Activity. Give each student a card containing either a prefix, root, or suffix. Students work with his/her group to make new words and give a definition. Students compile lists of words, then share new words on a Word Wall or orally. Mix groups and repeat process.
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Jigsaw Strategy
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What is it? Jigsaw is a cooperative learning structure that promotes the sharing and understanding of ideas or texts.
What is its purpose? Jigsaw facilitates learning in two areas: § the social skills of positive interdependence and equal participation, and § the academic skill of acquiring knowledge and understanding.
How do I do it? Preparation for class 1. Prepare word cards of prefixes, roots, and suffixes. 2. Divide the class into home groups of equal numbers. 3. Assign each student of the home group to the prefixes, the roots, or the suffixes.
Classroom organization § Organize the students into pre-determined home groups. Each group needs a clean copy of the passage. § Each member will become the “expert” of prefixes, roots, and suffixes for their home group. § Members of each home group form cooperative expert groups by teaming with others who have categories. o Expert group example, prefix students in the home groups come together to form a prefix expert group. o This expert group reads the passage, discusses the information, and identifies the meaning and words which contain the prefix. o They also discuss the best method of sharing their acquired knowledge and understanding with their cooperative home group. § After discussion, the expert group members return to their home groups to explain their category. The home group discusses so all members have an understanding of each category. However, each member is an expert on only one category. |
6. Give individual students a word with a Greek prefix, root, and suffix. Students use their knowledge to define words.
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Questions for Students
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What do you need to know to decode new or unknown words? What clues do roots and affixes give to meaning? What are the three parts of words called? How do you determine parts of words? Can word parts be interchanged? Give examples. What does this tell you about the parts of words? How is learning something new similar to a journey? |