Learning common constructions for words is one way that third graders can get traction on their spelling and reading comprehension skills. This guided lesson in word structure introduces kids to the idea that most words are made up of smaller words, and provides opportunities to apply this learning with practical examples. For more printable practice with word structure, check out our recommended worksheets.
Week 3 of this Fourth Grade Fall Review Packet explores topics in reading, writing, math, social studies, and science for a well-rounded review of third grade curriculum.
Prepare learners for their fifth grade debut with Week 2 of our Fifth Grade Fall Review Packet, complete with five more days of engaging activities that will review key skills and concepts.
Week 2 of our Third Grade Fall Review Packet is a great way to prepare learners for a new school year as they complete a wide range of practice activities and brush up on key concepts.
Explore the meaning of Latin roots like "scribe" and "spect" with this matching activity! Build essential vocabulary skills with this simple one-page worksheet.
Help your students review root words so they can analyze unfamiliar words and figure out the meaning without using a dictionary. In this worksheet, students will identify the root of each word containing suffixes and prefixes.
Get to the root of the problem with root words. Getting familiar with root words can help kids learn more about the English language. Once your kid knows a root word’s meaning, it can help them figure out what the rest of the word, and even the words around it, might mean. Help your child familiarize themselves with root words with our worksheets, workbooks, activities, games, and lots more.
Like most concepts and lessons we learn, the words we use everyday evolved from something else. The English language is extended from both the Greek and Latin languages. Many of our words are even based on Greek or Latin root words.
A root word is a Latin or Greek root that has its own meaning. It is the foundation of a new word, built upon using either a meaningful prefix or suffix. Regardless of what prefix or suffix is applied to the word, students with an understanding of root words and their meanings can approach words they have never seen before with a contextual theory as to what the word might mean. Understanding this gives students a foundation that reading comprehension can be built upon.
Common Latin Roots
Root
Meaning
Examples
fac
To make
Factory, facilitate
form
To shape
Conform, reform, formation
mort
death
Mortal, mortality, mortician
spect
To look
Inspect, spectate
multi
many
Multimedia, multiply
Common Latin Roots
Root
Meaning
Examples
auto
Self
Automobile, automate
hydro
water
hydraulic, hydroponic
micro
small
microscope, microbe
logy
study of
biology, physiology
photo
light
photosynthesis, photographer
One of the most common ways to learn root words is with flash cards. Showing students a root word, then asking for them to define the root and provide examples will help them retain the meaning. Using a variety of words can show the students that the root can either occur at the beginning of the end of the word. Resources like those provided above by Education.com may provide enough variety to keep students engaged when learning root words.