English lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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.
- What does this root mean? geo (as in geography, geology) (sound / life / earth / star) → earthPrompt: Think about what the example words have in common.
- 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.
- 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 · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- 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.
- 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 · 17 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- 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.
- 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