Use words as clues to the meanings of Greek and Latin roots

Key Notes :

1. Understanding Roots

• Definition: A root is the base part of a word that carries its primary meaning. Greek and Latin roots form the building blocks of many English words.
• Examples:
  • Greek root “photo” means “light” (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
  • Latin root “port” means “to carry” (e.g., transport, export).

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2. Recognizing Common Roots

• Greek Roots:
  • “geo” (earth): geology, geography
  • “micro” (small): microscope, microorganism
• Latin Roots:
  • “aqua” (water): aquarium, aquatic
  • “vid/vis” (see): video, visual

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3. Using Context Clues

• Context: Look at the surrounding words or sentences to infer the meaning of the root.
• Example: In the sentence “The scientist used a microscope to view tiny objects,” the word “microscope” (with the root “micro”) helps us understand that “micro” means something very small.

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4. Analyzing Word Parts

• Prefixes and Suffixes: Identify and understand common prefixes and suffixes that modify the meaning of the root.
• Example:
  • “un-” (not) + “happy” (root) = “unhappy” (not happy)
  • “re-” (again) + “write” (root) = “rewrite” (write again)

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5. Creating New Words

• Combining Roots: Show how combining roots with prefixes and suffixes can form new words with related meanings.
• Example: Combining “bio” (life) and “logy” (study) forms “biology” (the study of life).

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6. Building Vocabulary

• Practice: Engage students in exercises where they break down complex words into their roots and use them in sentences.
• Activities: Matching roots with their meanings, creating new words using roots, and using roots to infer meanings of unfamiliar words.

Lets practice :