Each of five roots gets its own four-box organizer here: photo, struct, port, dict, and graph. The photo box is filled in as a model, with its meaning "light," the examples photograph and photocopy, and a sentence about photosynthesis. For the other four, 5th graders write a definition, list words with the root, draw a picture, and use one word in a sentence. The 3-page sheet practices L.5.4.b, and the answer key gives meanings, example words, and a sentence for each root.
L.5.4.b
“Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).”
Every organizer asks students to use a Greek or Latin root to work out and use words such as portable and predict.
The finished model shows the Greek root meaning "light" and the sentence "The plant uses photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food."
Students write the definition, example words, a drawing, and a sentence. The key gives "to build" with construct, destruction, structure, and instruct.
The same four boxes for the Latin root meaning "to carry." Transport, portable, export, and import are the key's examples.
Students work on the root meaning "to say or speak," with dictionary, predict, dictate, and contradict in the key.
The last organizer is the Greek root meaning "to write." Autograph, paragraph, biography, and graphic are the key's examples.
One root a day
Do one root each day of the week, with photo as the Monday model. Each organizer takes about ten minutes.
Dictionary work
Put dictionaries on the tables for the Examples box. Students find five or six dict and port words in a few minutes.
Keep the drawing
Some students skip the Draw it box. A quick sketch of a moving truck for port counts, and the picture helps the meaning stick.
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