Greek and Latin Roots: Decode New Words

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English Language Arts · English 9-12
SP-ELA912-029 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
Greek and Latin Roots: Decode New Words
English Language Arts · English 9-12 · Grades 9-10 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). Write the sample word breakdown on the board.
Technology
None.
Student
independence
High. Students work alone, then compare with a partner.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet, Whiteboard or chalkboard
Goal for today: Students will use the meanings of common Greek and Latin roots to define unfamiliar words and build
a new word of their own.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Write on the board: tele (far) + phone (sound) = telephone: a device that carries sound over a distance.
☐ Tell students they may use the root chart on the worksheet for every question.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk.
Say this to start
Good morning! Many English words are built from pieces that come from ancient Greek and Latin. If you know the
pieces, you can often figure out a new word without a dictionary. Today you will use a root chart to match words to
meanings, fill in sentences, and even invent a word of your own. You may use the chart on every question.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet.
Settle in and read the directions.
5–12
Read the board example aloud and then read the first
three rows of the root chart. Ask: “What do you think
‘audience’ has to do with hearing?”
Listen and offer ideas.
12–22
Tell students to complete the matching (questions 1–6)
using the chart.
Match each word to its meaning.
22–32
Tell students to complete the fill-in sentences (questions
7–12) using the word bank.
Complete the sentences.
32–44
Tell students to answer questions 13–16, including the
word they invent in question 15.
Use roots to define, build and explain
words.
44–50
Invite two or three volunteers to share the word they
invented in question 15. Then collect all worksheets.
Share and hand in the worksheet.
If things go wrong
• If a student says the chart does not include a word, tell them to look at each piece of the word separately.

SubstitutePlans.com
English Language Arts · English 9-12
SP-ELA912-029 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
• If students ask for a dictionary, tell them to try the chart first and then guess before looking anything up.
• If a student invents a word that is rude or silly, redirect them to choose two roots from the chart and give a
serious definition.
Early finishers
• Write three more English words that contain one of the roots in the chart. Circle the root in each.
• Create a short quiz of three questions for a classmate using roots from the chart.
Support and challenge
• Support: Students may skip questions 11 and 12 and may choose just one root for question 15.
• Challenge: Ask students to find two words that use more than one root from the chart and explain both parts.
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: