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Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes
Introduction
In the English language, big words are often made up of small word parts, called morphemes, that come from other languages – especially Latin.
You probably have some of this morpheme knowledge
“asleep” in your brain – all you need to do is “wake it up.”
When you know
– or remember – the meanings of these small word parts, you can unlock the meaning of some real jawbreakers.
For example, take the word
You think you have no idea what it means – and are not sure if being called this is a compliment or an insult. But once you know/remember the following, you can figure it out.
E- = very So --
BEN = good for you…)
LOQU =
-
OUS =
You ask, “Is it a REAL word?” It is if enough people use it.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes
Introduction
Some morphemes are “place bound” – that is, some are prefixes and always come at the beginning of a word (for example the morpheme “pre-”) and others are suffixes and always come at the end (for example the morpheme “-ous”). Still others, known as roots, can come anywhere in a word, and these can have prefixes and suffixes attached to them.
NOTE: In figuring out the meaning of a word, IF it has a suffix, start by saying the suffix meaning and then go back to the beginning and work down.
(speaking)
E- = very
BEN = good
LOQU = speak
-
OUS= full of
If there is no suffix, start with the first root – e.g., ebenloqu would be
very good speaking.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes
Introduction
Some morphemes are “place bound” – that is, some are prefixes and always come at the beginning of a word (for example the morpheme “pre-”) and others are suffixes and always come at the end (for example the morpheme “-ous”). Still others, known as roots, can come anywhere in a word, and these can have prefixes and suffixes attached to them.
In each lesson, you’ll start by taking notes on some Latin roots, then add prefixes and suffixes.
Turn to page 4 in your Student Book and prepare to take notes on Latin Morphemes Lesson 1 Notes.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our first Latin root in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms:
DICT, DICAT .
On page 4 of your Student Book, write the morpheme meanings.
Roots
1. dict; dicat =
Now think -- what words do you already know that have DICT or DICAT in them?
Chances are you probably thought of the word
DICTATION or DICTATOR or DEDICATE
What do these words have in common?
Speaking words for someone to write down; a person who tells everyone else what to do; to set something apart for a special use...
So DICT and DICAT means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root in Lesson One is the morpheme DUC.
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc =
Now think -- what words do you already know that have DUC in them?
Chances are you probably thought of the words
INTRODUCE or tear DUCT or INDUCE .
What do these words have in common?
To bring something/someone new into a setting, a tube through which tears travel, to persuade...
So DUC means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root in Lesson One is the morpheme EQU.
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ =
Now think -- what words do you already know with EQU in them?
EQUATOR EQUAL EQUATION EQUALITY
Divides the earth into two equal halves
What do these words have in common?
So EQU means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root is GARRUL .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul =
Perhaps you have heard the word
“ GARRULOUS ”?
This one is not so obvious – but a mental trick may help you remember it.
The morpheme “garrul” is full of
R’s, and a garrulous person
RRRRRuns on at the mouth....
And GARRUL means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root has tow forms: IG and AG .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
Here are two IG word you may have heard:
BENIGN and MALIGNANT.
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag =
These are words a doctor uses to give results of a cell biopsy to determine if a growth is cancerous or not, and they literally describe what the cells are doing – how they act.
And is something AGITATES you, bothers you to the point that it drives you to do something.
And so IG and AG mean...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root is LOCAT .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
What word immediately pops into your mind with LOCAT ?
LOCATION 4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
6. locat =
And a “location” is a __?__.
So LOCAT mean...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root is LOQU .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
Put the letter “e” in front of it, and what word comes to mind?
ELOQUENT
6. locat = place
7. loqu =
What is “eloquent” used to describe?
If you are being “eloquent,” what are you doing?
So LOQU means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root is MAGN .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
6. locat = place
Now think -- what words do you already know with MAGN in them?
MAGNIFY Y
MAGNIFICIENT
7. loqu = speak MAGNANIMOUS
8. magn =
What do these words have in common?
To make larger, an adjective meaning great, to be forgiving and generous in a grand sort of way...
So MAGN means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin root is SOLI .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
6. locat = place
Now think -- what card game do you know with SOLI in the name?
SOLITAIRE
7. loqu = speak
8. magn = great; large
9. soli =
And how do you play solitaire?
You play it alone – there is only you with the cards.
So SOLI means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our last Latin root is VOC .
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
6. locat = place
7. loqu = speak
8. magn = great; large
9. soli = alone; only
10. voc =
Now think -- what words do you know with VOC in them?
VOCAL
VOCABULARY
VOCATION
What do these words have in common?
Spoken, words you know, a job that is your special calling...
So VOC means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we have the set of Latin roots for Lesson One.
Roots
1. dict; dicat = speak; proclaim; set apart
2. duc = lead
3. equ = equal; fair
4. garrul = chatter; talk
5. ig; ag = do; drive; act
6. locat = place
Next we go to prefixes.
7. loqu = speak
8. magn = great; large
9. soli = alone; only
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of prefixes.
As you write each one, add a dash after the prefix to remind you that this is where you add roots – following the prefix.
The first Latin prefix in Lesson One is the morpheme BEN – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – =
Now think -- what words do you already know that have the prefix BEN – in them?
BENEFIT BENEDICTION BENIGN
What do the three words have in common?
A verb meaning to do good for, a blessing, and harmless...
So BEN- means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin prefix is DE – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
This one has several related meanings. Again, what words do you know...
12. de – =
What do these words have in common?
DECLINE DE-ESCALATE to take away from, to reduce or scale down, something that reduces nasal swelling...
DE – means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin prefix has two forms of IN – and IM – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
12. de – = down; from; away; very
13. in –; im– =
This one has two very different meanings. You just have to figure out which meaning to use. Again, what words do you know...
INCONSISTENT INSPIRE
INAPPROPRIATE
The italicized words have one of the meanings
INDIVIDUAL and the plain words have the other meaning.
IMPOSSIBLE
To breathe in, to close in, to show someone is involved in a wrongdoing ...
ENCLOSE
INCRIMINATE
IMPLICATE
Not consistent, not appropriate, not divided.
The prefixes IN –, IM–, and EN– mean...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Latin prefix has two forms of INTRO – and INTRA – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
12. de – = down; from; away; very
13. in –; im– = in; not
14. intro –; intra– =
What words do you know with the prefixes INTRO – or INTRA – ?
INTRODUCE
INTRAMURAL
What do these words have in common?
To present or lead within, games played literally within the walls of a single school...
The prefixes INTRO – and INTRA-– mean...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Latin prefix is MAL – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
12. de – = down; from; away; very
13. in –; im– = in; not
14. intro –; intra– = within
15. mal – =
What words do you know with MAL – at the beginning?
MALADJUSTED
MALIGNANT
MALICIOUS
What do these words have in common?
Badly adjusted, ill will, with evil intent...
The prefix MAL – means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The last Latin prefix in this lesson has two forms: PRE – and PRO – .
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
12. de – = down; from; away; very
What words do you know with
PRE – or PRO – as a prefix?
PREDICT PROGRAM
13. in –; im– = in; not PREJUDICE PROGRESS
14. intro –; intra– = within
PREHISTORIC PROJECT
15. mal – = bad; ill
What do these words have in common?
16. pre –; pro– =
To say something will happen before it does, to judge before you have the facts, the period of time before history was recorded, the paper you get before the play begins...?
The prefixes PRE – and PRO– mean...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we have the set of Latin prefixes for Lesson One.
10. voc = voice; call
Prefixes
11. ben – = good
12. de – = down; from; away; very
13. in –; im– = in; not
14. intro –; intra– = within
15. mal – = bad; ill
16. pre –; pro– = before
Next we go to suffixes.
Suffixes
17.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of suffixes.
As you write each one, add a dash before the suffix to remind you that this is where you add roots – in front of the suffix.
The first Latin suffix in Lesson One is the morpheme –AL .
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17. –al =
VOCAL
HISTORICAL
PREHISTORIC
Many English words end in the letters
–AL
, and when they do they are modifiers that relate to something.
So –AL at the end of a word...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Latin suffix is the morpheme –ATE .
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17. –al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate =
What words come to mind that have –ATE at the end?
EDUCATE LIBERATE
LOCATE EVAPORATE
CELEBRATE INTIMIDATE
Each of these words are things that you __?__.
So –ATE at the end of a word means...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Latin suffix is the morpheme –ENCE .
16 pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17. –al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate = do; make; cause (v.)
What words come to mind that have –ENCE at the end?
19. –ence =
DIFFERENCE
EXCELLENCE
COHERENCE
So –ENCE at the end of a word indicates the name of something – a noun that names a ...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Latin suffix is the morpheme –ION .
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17. –al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate = do; make; cause (v.)
What words come to mind that have –ION at the end?
19. –ence = condition; quality; act (n.)
20. –ion =
ACTION
INFECTION
CONNECTION
So –ION at the end of a word indicates the name of something – a noun that names a ...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Latin suffix is the morpheme –ITY .
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17. –al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate = do; make; cause (v.)
19. –ence = condition; quality; act (n.)
20. –ion = condition; quality; act (n.)
What words come to mind that have –ITY at the end?
21. –ity =
CHARITY
ACTIVITY
SINCERITY
So –ITY at the end of a word indicates the name of something – a noun that names a ...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The last Latin suffix has two forms: –OUS and –OSE .
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
What words come to mind that have –OUS or –OSE the end?
17. –al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate = do; make; cause (v.)
FAMOUS
19. –ence = condition; quality; act (adj.)
20. –ion = condition; quality; act (n.)
RELIGIOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
21. –ity = condition; quality; act (n.)
MOROSE
VERBOSE
BELLICOSE
22. –ous; –ose =
So –OUS or –OSE at the end of a word indicates a modifier that means ...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we have the set of Latin suffixes for Lesson One.
16. pre –; pro– = before
Suffixes
17.
–al = relating to (adj.)
18. –ate = do; make; cause (v.)
19. –ence = condition; quality; act (n.)
20. –ion = condition; quality; act (n.)
21. –ity = condition; quality; act (n.)
22. –ous; –ose = full of (adj.)
You now have all of the notes for
Lesson One (of Twelve).
Lesson One is the longest because it is the foundation on which you will build in the coming other eleven Latin Morpheme lessons.
When you finish these lessons, your vocabulary and your ability both to figure out and to create words will be MUCH GREATER than when you began!
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
In Lesson One you will find the following words to “work” – that is, to analyze their meanings by (1) identifying the Latin morphemes and meaning(s) in each, (2) synthesizing that knowledge in a possible definition, and (3) comparing your synthesis to a dictionary definition.
1. vocal
2. predict
3. dedicate
4. beneficence
5. loquacious
6. locate
7. garrulous
8. equality
9. benediction
10. benign
11. malediction
These words are on page 4, instructions are on page 5, and space to work your words is on pages 6 and 7.
12. soliloquy
13. equity
14. inequity
15. magniloquence
16. introduce
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
How to “Work a Word”
Let’s begin the first assignment together. On page 6, start by writing the first word...
Then beneath it, one per line, identify the morphemes you find in the word.
Next, synthesize your knowledge...
Finally, compare your knowledge...
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
Your first assignment is to work the first 8 words on page 4 in the numbered spaces on page 6 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you can come with your knowledge to what the all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share how you worked your words.
DAY 1 HW Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
Your second assignment is to work the last 8 words on page 4 in the numbered spaces on page 7 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you can come with your knowledge to what the all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share how you worked your words.
DAY 2 HW Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
Sometimes when we read, we come across a word we’ve never seen before, and we could use a clue to figure it out.
There are four main types of clues that often help solve a “mystery word,” and you can use one of these clues to give your reader a hint.
The four kinds of context clues are...
1. Definition
Sox’s bad luck came from a in context malediction for selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees – their fans wished evil upon the team.
2. Synonym
3. Antonym
4. Examples
DAY 3
He pronounced a malediction, a curse, on the malfunctioning computer.
Instead of the expected words of blessing on the project, her boss gave it a malediction.
The angry gardener spoke the malediction to his rival, “May your tomatoes never ripen and your corn be wormy!”
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
Your third assignment has two steps:
Step A: Select any 8 of the 16 words you worked and create a context clue sentence with each (on page 9 in your book).
Use at least one clue of each of the four types.
DAY 3 HW
Tomorrow you’ll have the opportunity to read aloud your sentences, saying “blank” for the word you chose, and see if your instructor or another learner can use your clue to identify what word from the Lesson One list belongs in the blank.
Step B: Using the roots, prefixes, and suffixes from Lesson One, create and work two new words. In place of the DD, write a context clue sentence (CCS) for your new word (on page 9 in your book).
Tomorrow, you’ll have the opportunity to challenge your instructor or another learner with your created words.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
36
Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
The fourth assignment for Lesson One is a three-step review.
Step A: Practice breaking apart the words on the first review sheet (page 10) by drawing braces and writing meanings above each morpheme; then write a possible definition to the side (see the first one for an example).
Step B: Once you have determined morpheme meanings and a possible definition for each “word,” try matching the “funny definitions” on the second review sheet (page 11) with what you have on the first sheet.
DAY 4 HW
Hopefully, you’ll get a laugh or two
(or possibly a groan) as you figure them out.
Tomorrow, we’ll go over the sheets just before taking a quiz on Latin Morphemes Lesson One.
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work – through the level of My Definition.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
37
Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
Step C: Make yourself a set of study cards (refer to page 12).
In the back of your book you will find eighteen sheets of color paper – one for each lesson.
To make your study cards, tear out the page for Lesson One, cut it apart on the marked lines, and hole-punch each card in the upper corner as indicated.
Take a card and write your first morpheme on the front of it.
Now turn that card over so the hole is at the bottom, and write the meaning on the back.
speak; proclaim; set apart
Set that card aside, and do the same for each of the other morphemes.
DAY 4
Now place the card with “Lesson One” written on it on the top of your stack, hook them together with a band or ring, and begin reviewing. If you have a three-ring binder for
English materials, hook your cards there for easy access.
Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.
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Latin Morphemes – Lesson One – Taking the Quiz
Part Five Coming Tomorrow: Demonstrating What You Know...
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work through the MD level.
Unless you are told otherwise on a very few words, you do NOT need to memorize a dictionary definition.
Most of them will be “real words,” but there may be one or two “created words” as well.
There will be one point for identifying each morpheme in the words, and one point for synthesizing your knowledge into a definition.
REMEMBER -- If a word has two or more morphemes, and you remember one but not the other, make a PARTIAL DEFINITION for PARTIAL CREDIT.
1. benloquious ben- = good +1 point equals loqu = speak +1 point +2 2/3
MD Something to do with good speech points
0 point
+ 2/3 point out of 4
THURSDAY TEST PREVIEW Latin Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2010.