Using Dinosaur Names
To teach Latin and Greek Roots
flickr.com/photos/oskay/2156889157
How did they get their names?
• Michael
• William Perry
Jordan
The Fridge
Air Jordan
Dinosaurs often were given their
names based on physical
characteristics.
Dino = terrible
Saura = lizard
Dinosaur:
Terrible lizard
Dinosaur names
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Triceratops: Three Horned head
Spinosaurus: Spiny Lizard
Heterodontosaurus: Different Toothed Lizard
Brachypodosaurus: Short-footed Lizard
Velociraptor: Speedy Robber
What if you found a dinosaur?
Use Greek and Latin Stems to
name your discovery?
Stems that define size
Latin
Min: Small
Large: Magn
Long: Long
Pingu: Fat
Greek
Small: Micro
Large: Meg
Long: Macro
Fat: Lip
Stems that define body features
Latin
Heart: Cord
Foot: Ped
Teeth: Dent
Tail: Caud
Greek
Heart: Cardi
Foot: Pod
Teeth: Odont
Tail: Ur
Stems that define abilities
Latin
Fly: Musc
Break: Rupt
Foss: Dig
Ed: Eat
Greek
Swim: Nect
Pyr: Fire
Dys: sick
eme: vomit
Stems that define numbers
Latin
eight: oct
hundred: cent
thousand: mili
Mult: many
Greek
eight: oct
dec: ten
thousand: kilo
a: without
Many: Poly
Give the students resources
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Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_and_Latin_roots_in_Engl
ish
Byrdseed: http://www.byrdseed.com/111-greek-and-latin-wordparts/
Michigan State:
https://www.msu.edu/~defores1/gre/roots/gre_rts_afx2.htm?...
What would you call these?
What would you call this dinosaur?
How about this one?
Students draw their own give.
Students Write
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Give the dinosaur a name.
Create a well written caption defining the picture.
Define and identify words stems used.
Example: The micropodosaurus had a hard time
finding shoes for adults that fit.
Using Dinosaur Names
To teach Latin and Greek Roots
flickr.com/photos/oskay/2156889157