Lesson Plan for Content Literacy/Language Instruction

Time: 2-3 class periods Grade/Class/Subject: Grade 8 Enrichment

Unit/ Theme: Greek and Latin root words

Content/Objectives: Students will learn a new way to understand

content vocabulary; an individual strategy for reading and learning

Literacy/Language Objectives:
• Students will understand that certain terms of Greek/Latin origin
represent semantic meanings in larger vocabulary words
• Students can identify the Greek/Latin roots in a larger word
• Students will learn a list of new vocabulary words associated with
each root

Key Vocabulary: Reading Material:

The roots ped-, Vocabulary sheet

man/manu

Lesson Sequence

Background Connections:

The concept is introduced by explaining the levels of word study from phonics to
semantic analysis. This learning process begins with phonics, and progresses
through identifying sight words, distinguishing multiple meaning words, learning
affixes, and finally semantic analysis of words using root words. A graphic
showing the continuum will help students understand the process they have been
involved in.

Learning Activities:
Begin by introducing the first root, ped-. Read each word aloud with the
students. Next, have them use highlighters to highlight the root ped- in each
word as you read them again, including the definition. Allow the students a few
minutes to reflect on the words before moving on.

Next distribute the strips of the round robin reading in random order, or let the
students choose one face down. Begin with the first students and go through the
list.

Now, give the students their own set of words and definitions for ped-. They will
need to cut the boxes and have a complete set.

Distribute envelopes for safe keeping.

Repeat the same process, only this time using the root, man/manu-.

Closing Activities:
When students have two sets of roots and words, have them pair up and play
memory. The person with the most matches wins! If there is time, the students
can play in a tournament.

Assessment/Product:

For each root there is a corresponding quiz from the book. Give the quiz about a
week after introducing the first root. Allow the students a limited amount of time
to complete the quiz, say three minutes. Then correct the quiz. The goal is for
the students to learn and use the strategy, so another check will be required.
When enough roots have been covered, have students pair up and make an A3
size poster of their assigned root including: Root, meaning, an example, and an
appropriate graphic to hang in the room.