Exploring Vocabulary
with Greek and Latin
Word Parts
Reading Resource Specialist Meeting, 2/23/11
Lori Canning, Elementary Reading Curriculum Specialist
Broward County Schools
The English Language has
over
1,000,000 words
Why Study
Greek and
Latin Roots?
Over 60% of the English language is derived
from Latin or Greek.
90% of all English words that are three
syllables or more are derived from Latin.
In the sciences and technology, over 90% of the
words are derived from Latin or Greek!
A single Latin root can generate 5-20 English words.
Learning Greek and Latin Roots can help readers understand new words.
✔ Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (Fifth Grade Only)
LA.5.1.6.11
The student will use meaning of familiar roots
and affixes derived from Greek and Latin to
determine meanings of unfamiliar complex words.
Why Study
Greek and
Latin
Roots?
✓FCAT Tested
Benchmark
LA.5.1.6.7
The student will use meaning of familiar base
words and affixes to determine meanings of
unfamiliar complex words.
Also assesses LA.5.1.6.11
Test Specifications Clarification
The student will identify familiar base words or Greek or
Latin root words with prefixes and/or suffixes
to determine the meanings of complex words in a text.
Simple analysis and/or inference may be required.
Grade-level appropriate texts should contain vocabulary for
assessing prefixes (e.g., un-, pre-, dis-, con-, centi-, anti-, sub-,
multi-, uni-, im-, de-, ex-, mis-, in-, non-), suffixes (e.g., -ful,
-less, -ly, -or, -ious, -ion, -ment, -ist, -ible, -ian, -ness), roots,
and base words.
Root Word?
Base Word?
Glossary
Clarification
Base Word:
A complete word that can stand alone. Other words or word parts
(affixes) can be added to base words to form new words (e.g., teach in
reteach or teaching).
Root Words:
In the English language, many roots are derived from ancient Greek
and Latin languages. A root is a word part that cannot stand by itself
and must be combined with other word parts, such as prefixes and
suffixes, in order to convey meaning. Knowing the meaning of a word’s
root can help the reader determine the word’s meaning.
Sample Question: p. 96
Read this quotation from the passage.
“I am going to become malnourished,” Dad said. “My body is
crying out for a tender tomato or some crisp green beans.
And all I get is zucchini.”
The origin of the word malnourished is the Latin root -nourish,
meaning to feed. What does malnourished mean?
A. to be underfed
B. to eat until full
C. to eat rich foods
D. to be fed too much
Authentic Instruction
 Immersion in Language
 Time in Text (Read Alouds,
Guided Reading, Independent
Reading, READING!)
 Explicit Strategy Instruction
 Word Hunts in Text
 Spelling Connections
 Morphological Analysis
 Direct Teaching of Words
Cryptomania!
Teleporting into Greek and
Latin Roots with the CryptoKids
By Edith Hope Fine (2004)
“Knowing a little Greek
And Latin is like wearing a
secret decoder’s cape-you
can work out the meanings
of many English words
you’ve never seen before.”
Latin Word Parts
Greek Word Parts
Aqua= water
Agri=field
Spec=see
Pre=before
Vascul=tube, vessel
Dent=tooth
Ped= foot
Stella=star
Aud=hear
Terr=land
Phile= one who loves
Auto=self
Photo=light
Cardi=heart
Cycl=wheel
Bio=life
Hydr=water
Therm=heat
Phone=sound
Geo=Earth
Words “Grow” from
Greek and Latin Root
Words!
Spec = See
Bear (2004),
Words Their Way,
p. 269
Unit 13
Greek and Latin Roots are EVERYWHERE!
Democracy (People from District, Country, Land)
Democrat, Endemic, Pandemic
Communism (Common, Universal)
Communicate, Commune, Commons,
Community, Uncommon
Prejudice (Decide)
Adjudicate, Judgment, Judicial, Judge
Athlete (Contest)
Athletic, Biathlon, Triathlete,
Victory (Conquer, Overcome)
Convict, Convince, Evict, Conviction
Biography (life)
Biology, Antibiotic, Biosphere, Biodegradable
Online Word Dictionary:
•http://wordinfo.info/search
•http://wordquests.info//cgi/ice2-for.cgi
Quick Reference Guides for Teachers
•http://www.learnthat.org/vocabulary/pages/view/roots.html
•http://teacherweb.com/CA/ValenciaValleyElementarySchool/MrMartinsClass/ap3.aspx