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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? geo (as in geography, geology) (sound / life / earth / star) → earthPrompt: Think about what the example words have in common.
  2. Use the word parts to work out the meaning. What does "biography" mean? (bio = life, graph = write) (a list of dates / a written account of someone's life / the study of plants / a drawing of animals) → a written account of someone's lifePrompt: Put the meanings of the parts together.
  3. What does this root mean? spect (as in spectator, inspect) (build / carry / look / speak) → lookPrompt: 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. chronic (chron = time) (lasting a long time / about history / sudden and short / very painful) → lasting a long timePrompt: 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 studies humans / someone who helps others, often by giving money / 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. benevolent (bene = good, vol = wish) (lucky / very wealthy / violent and cruel / kind and wishing others well) → 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) (someone who studies humans / a collector of stamps / someone who hates people / 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. omnipotent (omni = all, potent = powerful)

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

  2. Question 2

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. antipathy (anti = against, path = feeling)

    • A. an illness
    • B. a strong dislike
    • C. a feeling of pity
    • D. a strong liking

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

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

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

  5. Question 5

    Use the word parts to choose the best definition. circumnavigate (circum = around, nav = ship)

    • A. sail underwater
    • B. build a ship
    • C. steer badly
    • D. sail all the way around

  6. Question 6

    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

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Answer key: Etymology and advanced roots

  1. 1. C. all-powerful

  2. 2. B. a strong dislike

  3. 3. D. without a clear shape

  4. 4. C. someone who helps others, often by giving money

  5. 5. D. sail all the way around

  6. 6. A. unwilling to believe