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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? aqua (as in aquarium, aquatic) (fire / water / earth / air) → waterPrompt: Think about what the example words have in common.
  2. Use the word parts to work out the meaning. What does "thermometer" mean? (therm = heat, meter = measure) (a tool that measures length / a tool that measures heat / a weather map / a heater) → a tool that measures heatPrompt: Put the meanings of the parts together.
  3. What does this root mean? graph (as in autograph, photograph) (sound / write or draw / light / far) → write or drawPrompt: 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. incredulous (in = not, cred = believe) (amazing / very sincere / unwilling to believe / trustworthy) → unwilling to believePrompt: 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. eloquent (e = out, loqu = speak) (fluent and persuasive in speech / unable to speak / very loud / quietly polite) → fluent and persuasive in speechPrompt: Combine the meanings of the parts shown in brackets.
  2. Use the word parts to choose the best definition. philanthropist (phil = love, anthrop = human) (someone who hates people / someone who studies humans / a collector of stamps / someone who helps others, often by giving money) → someone who helps others, often by giving moneyPrompt: 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

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Etymology and advanced roots

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

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

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

  2. Question 2

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

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

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. benevolent (bene = good, vol = wish)

    • A. lucky
    • B. violent and cruel
    • C. kind and wishing others well
    • D. very wealthy

  6. Question 6

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. eloquent (e = out, loqu = speak)

    • A. quietly polite
    • B. unable to speak
    • C. fluent and persuasive in speech
    • D. very loud

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Answer key: Etymology and advanced roots

  1. 1. B. someone who helps others, often by giving money

  2. 2. D. without a clear shape

  3. 3. B. intending to harm

  4. 4. B. unwilling to believe

  5. 5. C. kind and wishing others well

  6. 6. C. fluent and persuasive in speech