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VOCABULARY & WORD STUDY

SESSION 2  |  Grades 3-12  / ELL  |  Handout

Ramp up root-word instruction

Apply the generative principle to root study

Any word part that carries meaning is called a “root.” Therefore, prefixes, suffixes, and bases are all examples of roots. Sara Wiley, 5th grade teacher at Holy Name Catholic School (Beech Grove, IN), shared her idea of connecting them to the 3 parts of a bicycle.

Take advantage of root-word instruction.

Compare vocabulary study to dating.

Reveal etymology to connect the root meaning to a story.

Build a grade-level list.

Identify 30 roots to introduce per grade level—10 prefixes, 10 bases, 10 suffixes.

Beginning List

Advanced List

ELL List

Unlock meaning with direct instruction

Introduce each word part explicitly.

Associate the root meaning with a visual

PDF | Student Examples

Use word spokes within word study & vocab development.

Reveal how the meaning of a single root impacts the definition of so many other words.

Download Word-Spoke digital resources in various formats.

PRIZE: Google Slide

Template & SUB Example

PRIZE: Jamboard

Template & SUB Example

8×11 PDF

Template & SUB Example

11×17 PDF

Template & SUB Example

Develop and refine understanding with word play

Generate words from an individual root.

PARTS CHART | Put multiple roots together to “build” a word’s meaning.

Template | Example

ADD IT UP | Build words with known roots and demonstrate meaning with a sentence.

Template | Example

JEOPARDY PRINCIPLE | List unknown words with a known root. (Try root-word Jeopardy.)

Website

ROOT RALLY | Use plastic pop lids to create an in-class game.

School-Wide Root Rally