If you teach a child one vocabulary word, he/she might remember that one word. If you teach a child a root word, he/she might be able to decipher the meanings of many more words (sometimes dozens!). For example, if your student knows spec = to look, he or she might be able to determine the meanings of words like spectacles, spectacular, spectator, speculate, spectrum, and so on. Each week in this class, we will study 2 Greek and/or Latin roots in depth. Learners will learn how to pronounce the word, spell the word, define the words, identify parts of speech, use the word in a sentence, answer questions about the word, identify synonyms and antonyms, illustrate the word, and more! 

At the beginning of the week, learners will watch a brief introduction video, introducing the roots of the week and the menu of activities. A word web for each root will be posted for learners. Learners will contribute words they already know using this root. After learners contribute to the word web, the teacher will provide additional words the learners may not have thought of on their own. Next, each learner will identify a focus word for each root. Learners will investigate how to pronounce the word, spell the word, define the word, identify parts of speech, use the word in a sentence, answer questions about the word, identify synonyms and antonyms, and illustrate the word. Learners will post their work in the classroom for other learners to view and learn from it. Various threads will be posted each week allowing learners to play Pictionary, complete a Bingo card for finding roots in their everyday readings, show and tell objects related to the roots we study, and weird but true facts we discover on our word journey. Learners will also have the opportunity to create individual projects like a personal timeline of achievement (as we study words like chronological). Learners can also use GimKit for additional application and practice each week. 

 Learners should plan to dedicate about 60 minutes per week to completing the work in this course.  

Week 1 scope - spec - vid 
Week 2 aqua - hydro 
Week 3 graph - scribe 
Week 4 audi - phone