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January 1, 2014

Greek and Latin Root

Greek and Latin Root

A huge focus in fifth grade is word study. Research is fairly consistent in saying that studying words should be done in conjunction with what’s already being taught in the classroom with small mini-lessons to target specific skills. Today, I wanted to share some resources I have found especially helpful as we have integrated Greek and Latin Root Words into our daily learning.

Grek and Latin Root

Introducing Greek and Latin Root

Each week, as I introduce words for our Class Word Wall we analyze the words we are learning, focusing on specific prefixes, roots, or suffixes.

When first introducing the idea of roots, I used BrainPop’s Video for introducing prefixes, roots, and suffixes. It also has a great quiz for practice! Additionally, you can download the Brain Pop app to use on personal devices and iPads making it the perfect tool/reminder for a literacy center!

Of course, we also jam to Flocabulary’s Root Word video. If you didn’t know, we are all about rapping and LOVE Flocabulary.

Learning Greek and Latin Root

Each week we also focus in on one root using Rolodex of Roots. I post the root word wheel (I made it using our root cards, Command Hooks, and binder rings) outside of my door and it acts as a “Password” as students enter into my classroom. Each morning, students lead (after many weeks of training) a simple, 3-5 minute activity working with our root – record it, list it, picture it, chant it, and teach it. I’ve blogged more about the routine here.

Grek and Latin Root
As we learn about new Greek and Latin Roots, we included them in our Reading Interactive Notebook. In my Root Games pack, I’ve included blank templates, so you can tweak the templates to meet your curriculum needs!

We also use Kristen’s {Ladybug Teacher Files} Grammar Morphology Posters to remind us about the function of parts of speech. Not only are the posters beautiful, but when I introduced them a sweet girl said to me, “These will be really helpful for us.” *swoon my teacher heart*

As a part of literacy centers, my
friends also enjoy the Scholastic’s online root word game – Go for
Gold
. The game has two different levels for differentiation and allows
students to make connections between a root and its meaning. Since it uses
FlashPlayer, the game only works on a desktop computer (sorry, no iPads for
this one!).
Grek and Latin Root

Extra Practice with Latin and Greek Root

Even with the mini-lessons and the weekly focus on specific roots, my kiddos still needed practice…especially my students who have had limited access to words. Knowing we needed more engaging practice, I created a series of puzzles to use during literacy centers. Choosing 7-8 puzzles a week; students have hands-on, interactive practice mastering root words. Each puzzle asks students to match a root, its meaning, and the root in action within a sentence.

To hold my students accountable, I also included four different accountability options for students. The first is a log, where students record the roots they are learning throughout the year. I’ve also included Frayer models, webs for making connections among root words, and a general puzzle piece recording log. All of these resources aren’t meant to be busy work, but function to make sure students are staying on track…we all know how easily distracted our 10 year olds can be when partnered with a friend. 🙂

Grek and Latin Root

In literacy centers, we loving playing Stacks! Below are picture from our prefix stacks that we did in January, and now we are playing root word stacks. How does it work? I write a root on the bottom of each cup and its meaning on the inside of the cup. I place the cups in a large Ziploc bag and students works in pairs. One partner grabs a cup. He/she defines the root and then, gives an example of a word that uses the prefix. The partner checks their work (mentally or using the answer I have written on the inside of the cup). If the partner answers correctly, they can add it to their cup pyramid. If incorrect, the cup goes back into the bag. Students work together to build the tallest possible pyramid in our 12 minute work period! Super fun, low maintenance, and great practice!

Grek and Latin Root

Summing It All Up 

We all have SO many different learners
in our classroom, so it helps to have lots of resources at our disposable. These are the resources that I am using and loving! Click below to learn more about them or grab them for your own classroom. If you’re interested in other FREE classroom resources and freebies, sign-up here for teaching ideas to land in your inbox each month.

Grek and Latin RootGrek and Latin RootGrek and Latin Root

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Filed Under: 5th Grade, ELA Tagged With: Common Core, Roots

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane R says

    January 1, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    I used Reading Olympians last year with success, but unfortunately I don't have time to implement it this year 🙁

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 2, 2014 at 4:23 am

      We definitely have tight schedules! I am able to slip it in during the last 10 minutes of our class (during literacy centers), and kids really enjoy it. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Deb Hanson says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:43 am

    Can I just say that I love your blog?! It's so often just packed FULL of great ideas and details! 🙂 I particularly love you idea of posting the root word poster outside your classroom door and using it as a password for entry. How smart!
    ~Deb
    Crafting Connections

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 2, 2014 at 4:25 am

      Haha – thank you so much, Deb! I have really enjoyed keeping a record of what's going on in my classroom. 🙂 I am so grateful for the blogging community and resources (yours are some of my favorites!).

      Happy day,
      Catherine

      Reply
  3. Kristen Doyle says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    These are GREAT ideas! I've been neglecting word parts in our vocab activities this year, and I really need to spend some time focusing on them. I love the idea of using a root word as the password to get in, and Reading Olympians looks great too! Thanks for sharing!
    ~Kristen
    Chalk & Apples

    Reply
  4. Terry Abromitis says

    March 21, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    I absolutely LOVE these ideas! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Terry
    Terry's Teaching Tidbits

    Reply

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My name is Catherine Reed, and I am in Year 10 of my elementary life, residing in small-town, Kentucky.  I student taught in 1st grade and never ...

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