LESSON TWO: Vocabulary Development
LESSON DESCRIPTION
Students develop vocabulary through text using roots, affixes, glossary, and dictionary by identifying how prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of words. Common affixes are used with students checking their work using a glossary, dictionary, or master sheet created by teacher.
GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS ADDRESSED
R1E5 Develop vocabulary through text, using roots, affixes, context clues, glossary, and dictionary
LESSON MATERIALS
§ Sources of Literature
o None
§ Supplies
o Index cards
o Dictionaries
o Glossaries
§ Handouts provided
§ Words to know
o affixes
Distribute the “Word Makeover” handout. Students use five root words to create new words by adding both a prefix and a suffix. Students write a sentence using each new word. Share findings in a large group if time allows.
Students use roots and affixes to develop understanding of vocabulary. Scoring guide provided.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
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Questions for Students |
What words do you think of when you hear the word “freedom”? |
1. List responses on board as root words, taking off any prefixes or suffixes, and discuss how these words relate to freedom. Some words that may be included are liberate, right, slave, free, fight, escape, hide, win, surrender, survive, dream, work, brave, promise, program, like, enjoy, supply, fly, hurry, try, forgive, reach, believe, equal, understand,etc.
2. Teacher explains, “Yesterday we took on the role of a citizen trying to vote for the first time, but being presented with the challenge of reading a somewhat difficult text. We began with the Preamble to the United States Constitution. Let’s look at the word preamble.” Continue explaining that the prefix “pre” means to come before and “amble” means to walk. Lead discussion on how this might fit with the meaning of the Preamble of the United States Constitution.
3. From the student generated list, select a word and ask students to write a sentence correctly using the word. The word “try” can be used as an example if students have difficulty generating words.
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Questions for Students |
What is a root word? What is a prefix? suffix? (affixes) How can a dictionary be useful when reading an unfamiliar word? How do affixes change the meaning of a word? |
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Strategy
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The teacher models the “think aloud” process to explain how word meanings can be changed by adding a prefix or suffix. On the board or overhead, add “re” and “ing” to the word “try”. Discuss how these affixes change both the meaning of the word and the way the word is used in the sentence. Students come to the board to write a sentence using the new word “retry”. Teacher introduces common prefixes on the board or smart board (re, in, un, mis, dis, etc.) and common suffixes (s, es, ed, er, ing, able, ful, etc.) explaining that these affixes change the meaning of a word as used in a sentence. |
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Questions for Students |
How is the definition of the root word different from the root word with affixes? Why did the definition change? |
4. Students participate in an activity called “Affix Stations”. Six stations in the room are labeled with prefixes and suffixes. Three of the stations include a different prefix such as un, re, and mis. The other three stations include a different suffix each such as ed, er, and ing. Students select an index card that has a root word along with an example of the word in a sentence. They rotate through the stations to create as many new words as possible by adding prefixes and suffixes to the root word on their card. Students write their new words on the back of their root word index card.
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Suggestion
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The teacher may need to modify the “Affix Stations” to fit the needs of classroom and individual student needs. Pairs or small groups can be used throughout the activity as needed. |
5. Students check their new word list with the teacher-made master list to see if they have created real words. Students share the new words that have a prefix and a suffix. Students create new sentences on the back of their index card for each new word and discuss how the meaning has changed by adding the affixes.
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Questions for Students |
How is the definition of the root word different from the root word with affixes? Why did the definition change? |