Greek and Latin
Roots in Language
Arts
Mrs. Melia & Mrs. Duggan
Grade 6 ELA
Cohasset Middle School
Which is easier to learn, 100 roots
or 100,000 new words?
 More than 70 percent of English comes from Latin and
Greek word origins.
 When you learn 100 roots, you can figure out the meaning
of 100,000 words!
 When you know the roots, you can be a word detective –
figuring out the meaning of a word on your own.
How are words formed?
 Many English words are formed with base
words joined by prefixes and suffixes.
Prefix
Base
Suffix
 A root is a word part, with it’s own
individual definition from the Greek or Latin
languages, which contributes to the
definition of our words in English.
More About Roots
 Each ROOT (prefix, base, or suffix) has it’s own meaning.
Example: The word SUBMARINE has a prefix and a base that came from
the Greek or Latin Language.
Sub
UNDER
mar
ine
SEA
If we know that the PREFIX “sub” translates to mean under, and the
base “mar” translates to mean sea, we are able to GUESS that the word
SUBMARINE has something to do with being under the sea.
Submarine
noun
1.
a warship with a streamlined hull designed to operate
completely submerged in the sea for long periods, equipped
with an internal store of air and a periscope and typically armed
with torpedoes and/or missiles.
adjective
1.
existing, occurring, done, or used under the surface of the sea.
Prefixes, bases, and suffixes are all types of ROOTS that
come from the Greek and Latin language. Each has a unique
meaning that contributes to the definition of words in our
language.
Roots
Prefix
Base
Suffix
Base
 The base (sometimes also called root) is a word part with a
specific meaning that usually contains the basic meaning of a
word.
Prefixes
 A prefix is part of a word (and is a type of root) that is
found in the beginning of words.
 Each prefix has a different meaning.
 Common prefixes…Pre = before, Inter=between,
co=together, post = after, bi =two, un = not
 The prefix Extra- means beyond
 Terr = land, relating to earth
Extraterrestrial =
beyond the earth
Suffixes
 A suffix a word part (and is a type of root) that is an found
at the end of words.
 Suffixes can oftentimes change the meaning of a word or
help us identify the part of speech of a word.
 For example, the suffix –logy means science.
The root bio means life.
biology =
Let’s Practice
Neonatal
If the prefix neo- translates to mean new, and the base nat
means born, what must the word NEONATAL have
something to do with?
Newborn Child
Induction
If the prefix in- translates to mean in, the base duct
translates to mean lead, and the suffix –ion translates to act
of, what must the word INDUCTION have something to do
with?
Let’s get started
 During the roots weeks, you will be given a list of 8-10
roots and sample words. You will have the complete the
same activities each week to help you learn the roots.
Day 1
 New roots lists are handed out in class
 Make roots flash cards and add them to your key ring
 Add the root to learn, its definition, and
The word part to the flashcards.
 For homework: study for 10-15 minutes.
After day 1, your card should look
like this:
Front of Card
sub
Back of Card
Definition:
Under
(Prefix)
Day 2
 You will add sample word to the front of your
flashcards.
 Use an online dictionary to look up the definition
of each sample word. Write on the back of your
flashcard.
Definition: Under
(Prefix)
 Use a highlighter to highlight
the root in each word.
 Study cards for 10-15 minutes Sample word:
subterranean
After day 2, your card should look
like this:
Front
Back
Definition: Under
sub
subterranean
(Prefix)
Sample word:
Subterranean – existing,
occurring or done under the
earth’s surface
Day 3
 On a piece of white-lined paper, write sentences using the
sample words correctly in context. The sentences should
show that you know the meaning of the sample word’s
definition.
Example: Looking from the road, you would never
know I have a complex subterranean sprinkler
system since it is all underground!
 Study flashcards for 10-15 minutes making sure you know
all root definitions, word parts, sample words and their
definitions.
Day 4
 Receive study guide for roots quiz.
 Review study guide and flashcards to prepare for quiz.
Day 5 – Quiz Day
ROOTS QUIZ
Write in the definition of each root
1.
Bio
_____
2.
Logy
_____
3.
Terr
_____
4.
Sub
5.
Extra
6.
MATCHING
Biology ____
____
7.
Extraterrestrial___
_____
8.
Subterranean ____
a. Under the earth,
underground
b. The science of life.
c. Life that does nor
come from earth.