Back to the lesson plan builder
Lesson length30 min45 min60 min
Questions🔀 New questions

Print the plan for yourself; the student sheet prints on its own page after it.

English lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes

Etymology and advanced roots

Vocabulary

CCSS L.9-10.4.BCCSS L.11-12.4.BEngland: GCSE English LanguageEngland: A-level English Language

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Etymology and advanced roots.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Greek and Latin roots

Leads to: Advanced diction and nuance

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Greek and Latin roots). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What does this root mean? spect (as in spectator, inspect) (speak / look / build / carry) → lookPrompt: Think about what the example words have in common.
  2. Use the word parts to work out the meaning. What does "telescope" mean? (tele = far, scope = look) (an instrument for seeing far away / a tool for writing / a type of map / a phone for calling far away) → an instrument for seeing far awayPrompt: Put the meanings of the parts together.
  3. What does this root mean? geo (as in geography, geology) (sound / life / earth / star) → earthPrompt: Think about what the example words have in common.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Etymology and advanced roots. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Use the word parts to choose the best definition. circumnavigate (circum = around, nav = ship)
  • Step 1: Etymology (word origins) helps you decode sophisticated vocabulary.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: sail all the way around
  • Answer: sail all the way around
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. benevolent (bene = good, vol = wish) (violent and cruel / very wealthy / kind and wishing others well / lucky) → kind and wishing others wellPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.
  2. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. philanthropist (phil = love, anthrop = human) (a collector of stamps / someone who helps others, often by giving money / someone who studies humans / someone who hates people) → someone who helps others, often by giving moneyPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. malicious (mal = bad) (forgetful / intending to harm / very tired / sick) → intending to harmPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.
  2. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. circumnavigate (circum = around, nav = ship) (sail all the way around / sail underwater / steer badly / build a ship) → sail all the way aroundPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Greek and Latin roots.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Advanced diction and nuance.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

eurekami

Etymology and advanced roots

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. omnipotent (omni = all, potent = powerful)

    • A. all-powerful
    • B. eating everything
    • C. present everywhere
    • D. very old

  2. Question 2

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. incredulous (in = not, cred = believe)

    • A. unwilling to believe
    • B. very sincere
    • C. amazing
    • D. trustworthy

  3. Question 3

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. malicious (mal = bad)

    • A. intending to harm
    • B. sick
    • C. very tired
    • D. forgetful

  4. Question 4

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. chronic (chron = time)

    • A. about history
    • B. lasting a long time
    • C. very painful
    • D. sudden and short

  5. Question 5

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. amorphous (a = without, morph = shape)

    • A. without a clear shape
    • B. changing shade
    • C. very loving
    • D. very large

  6. Question 6

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. philanthropist (phil = love, anthrop = human)

    • A. someone who hates people
    • B. someone who studies humans
    • C. a collector of stamps
    • D. someone who helps others, often by giving money

Free from eurekami.com

for the adult only

Answer key: Etymology and advanced roots

  1. 1. A. all-powerful

  2. 2. A. unwilling to believe

  3. 3. A. intending to harm

  4. 4. B. lasting a long time

  5. 5. A. without a clear shape

  6. 6. D. someone who helps others, often by giving money