Summary
In this lesson on Greek and Latin roots, guide students to explore word origins by discovering root words and applying them to their writing. Have students work in groups to recognize Latin and Greek roots using learning strategies. Lead them through a reading and annotation activity to identify English words rooted in Latin and Greek. Then, instruct students to complete a writing activity to apply what they’ve learned, using a rubric to guide and evaluate their work. Although this lesson is aligned to 8th-grade standards, it is appropriate for 7th-8th grades. Adjust standards as needed for your grade level.
Essential Question(s)
What is the purpose of applying grammar and mechanics? How can knowing the roots of words help with reading, writing, and spelling?
Snapshot
Engage
Students watch a YouTube clip from the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding and preview word parts.
Explore
Students participate in a Honeycomb Harvest activity.
Explain
Students "What-Light" a text by finding words with Greek and Latin roots.
Extend
Students write a paragraph incorporating words with Greek or Latin roots.
Evaluate
Students are evaluated based on their completion of "What-Lighting" and their written paragraphs.
Materials
Lesson Slides
Honeycomb Harvest Cards (one set per group of 3–4 students)
Honeycomb Harvest Answer Key
What-Lighting Paragraph handout (one per student)
What-Lighting Paragraph Answer Key
Greek and Latin Roots handout (one per student)
Creative Writing Rubric (one per student)
Select a Topic handout (one per student)
Internet connectivity (to access a YouTube video link)
Engage
10 Minute(s)
Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide the lesson. Display and discuss slides 2-3, which show the lesson objectives and essential questions. Inform students that they will be able to answer the guiding questions by the end of the lesson.
Move to slide 4 and ask, “Where do English words come from?” Have students turn to an Elbow Partner and share ideas. After 1-2 minutes, call on volunteers to share their thoughts. Listen without correcting misconceptions at this point.
Play the video clip on slide 5 from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
After the video, ask students where Mr. Portokalos believes English words come from. Discuss whether students believe he is correct and why or why not.
Explore
15 Minute(s)
Explain that many words in English have Latin or Greek roots. Group students heterogeneously in groups of 3-4 to ensure a mix of ability levels. Display slide 6 and ask, “How many of these common Greek roots do you know?”
Pass out the Honeycomb Harvest cards to each group. Display slide 7 and explain the directions for the Honeycomb Harvest activity. Use slide 8 as an example to explain the relationship between roots, their definitions, and common English words. Allow 10-15 minutes for the activity. Use slide 9 to display a 15-minute timer.
Invite groups to share one of their honeycombs and explain the root word, its meaning, and examples of English words. Use the answer key as a reference.
Explain
25 Minute(s)
Tell students that understanding root words can help them interpret English words. Distribute the What-Lighting handout, a highlighter, and the Greek and Latin Root handout.(Note: "What-Lighting" is a variation of the Why-Lighting strategy.)
Move to slide 10 and ask students to read the paragraph individually, highlighting words with Greek and Latin roots. They can use their handouts for reference. Instruct them to annotate the margins with the definitions based on the roots. For example, if they highlight "aquarium," they should write "a tank that contains water and fish" in the margin. Allow 20-25 minutes for the activity, and use slide 11 to display a 20-minute timer.
Use the answer key to evaluate or have students self-check their handouts.
Extend
30 Minute(s)
Move to slides 12-13. Explain that students will now write a creative paragraph using words that have Greek or Latin roots. Pass out the Paragraph Writing Rubric and Select a Topic handout. Allow students to choose their characters, settings, and creatures from the options on the handout.
Evaluate
5 Minute(s)
Pass out a sticky note to each student. As an Exit Ticket, ask students: How can knowing roots of words help you with reading, writing, and spelling?
Students can also be evaluated on the completion of their highlighted and annotated texts and their creative writing paragraphs.
Resources
EnglishClub. (n.d.). History of English. https://www.englishclub.com/history-of-english/
K20 Center. (n.d.). Bell ringers and exit tickets. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/125
K20 Center. (n.d.). Elbow partners. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/116
K20 Center. (n.d.). Honeycomb harvest. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/61
K20 Center. (2021, September 21). K20 Center 15 minute timer. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/m3zT2IxZQaw?si=Ql4_cZBMxEIH4brM
K20 Center. (2021, September 21). K20 Center 20 minute timer. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/bjcwzinQlEE?si=mm7jZaf1Clefb_Ko
K20 Center. (n.d.). Why-lighting. Strategies. https://learn.k20center.ou.edu/strategy/128
Rulfoq (2008, Dec. 30). My big fat greek wedding - Give me any word, and I show you how the root is Greek... [Video clip]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=VL9whwwTK6I&feature=emb_logo
Riordan, R. (n.d.). Meet the Greek gods. http://rickriordan.com/extra/meet-the-greek-gods/