What are root words?
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Subject Area: English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.) | Grade Level: 3
Lesson Length: 1 hour
Keywords/Tags: Latin Roots, Greek Roots, Root Words
Lesson Description: Root words allow others to try and figure out an unknown word's meaning.

  • ELA.3.V.1.2 Identify and apply knowledge of common Greek and Latin roots, base words, and affixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in grade-level content.
  • ELA.3.F.1.3 Use knowledge of grade-level phonics and word-analysis skills to decode words. 
  • ELA.3.F.1.3 a. Decode words with common Greek and Latin roots and affixes. (See benchmark 3.V.1.2) 
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Video : Latin and Greek
Instructions: Please watch the following video as many times as needed before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of the video is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this video content.
Description: Roots and affixes are the keys to unlocking so much of English's vocabulary. For a variety of Fun History Reasonsâ„¢, many of the roots we use to make words in English are derived from Latin and Greek. Understanding those word-parts can make vocabulary a lot less frustrating and scary.
Quiz : Latin and Greek roots and affixes
Instructions: Please complete this quiz by choosing the correct answer for each question. You can take this quiz as many times as needed.
Question #1
Root words can help you break down an unknown word.
Question #2
Prefixes and suffixes are types of affixes.
Question #3

What does the root word Geo- in Geology mean?

Question #4

What does the root word Cir- in circumference mean?

Question #5

What does the root word Bio- in Biology mean?

Question #6

What does the root word Micro- in microscope mean?

Question #7
Is a root word only at the beginning of a word?
Question #8
Is an affix a word particle?
Question #9
The root word Para- means alongside.
Question #10
Use the root words that we have gone over, write an essay on what a biologist does and what he might use a microscope for.
Description: It is time to test your knowledge that you have gained from the video.
Resources : Extra resources
Instructions: Please see additional external resources below. Feel free visit each link to learn more about this lesson.
Rooting Out Words
A great website that lets you choose the difficulty level of root words.
Root Words Game for Word Building
A great game website that tests root word knowledge.
Root Words, Roots and Affixes
A great website that shows you different types of root words.
Description: These resources are some fun games that can be played so students can learn more about root words while having fun doing so.