Vocabulary Building with Roots and Affixes - Prefixes
In this course, Dr. Karen Wieland teaches middle-grades students to identify, understand, & apply 50 unchangeable prefixes & 7 Latin assimilated prefixes. Students discuss hundreds of Latin roots & thousands of interesting English words.
Dr. Karen Wieland (Literacy/dyslexia & Latin)
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(463)
What's included
10 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. I provide ample guided practice in class with the process of brainstorming, listing, then researching words and writing morphological definitions of words that learners think may be in a word family. At the end of each class, learners pick their own morpheme from the slide deck and emulate that same process for homework, using the linked resources on the slide as a scaffold. The next week, they are invited to "share back" their findings, and we revise and elaborate together. Homework is not collected in advance and it is not graded.Grading
Homework is not collected in advance and it is not graded. Likewise, the class is not graded. I endeavor to keep students engaged and provide ample opportunity for co-construction and small group collaboration.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this 10-hour course, part of a multi-course series, I (Dr. Karen Wieland) teach middle-grades students to identify, understand, and apply knowledge of roughly 50 unchangeable prefixes as well as 7 Latin assimilated prefixes that are spelled multiple ways. Assimilated prefixes, also known as changeable, absorbed, or chameleon prefixes, are considered to be one of the most advanced aspects of the English spellings system. As students study prefixes, they will naturally be reviewing 100+ previously studied roots and suffixes. They will be encountering new roots, as well. WHY STUDY LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS AND AFFIXES? In my experience, the most common strategy students used by students who experience reading difficulties when they encounter an unfamiliar multisyllabic words is -- you guessed it -- “skip it.” Why don't they just sound those words out, you may wonder? Well, when words are derived from other languages and contain less common orthographic patterns, phonics often fails as a decoding technique. And developing readers aren't sure how to work the words out, so they skip them and hope context will sufficiently disambiguate the author's intended meaning. There is an alternative. If students have knowledge of common root and affix patterns and their meanings, they can use this knowledge to generate approximations of their pronunciations and discern their meanings. Ultimately, using these morphemic strategies improves students' overall reading comprehension. “Latin -- and classical Greek -- are as vital to beginning vocabulary instruction as phonics is to reading," explains Joequil Lundquist, the author of English from the Roots Up: Help for Reading, Writing, Spelling, and S.A.T. Scores (Literacy Unlimited, 1989). "Just as phonics helps children figure out what words are, Latin and Greek help them figure out what words mean. ” Unfortunately, not many elementary and middle-grades teachers are knowledgeable about Latin and Greek roots and affixes. That's where this class comes in. Students in this course will use a range a range of consistent pedagogical approaches, including brainstorming, online research of English words derived from Latin and Greek word elements, student share-backs of their independently curated word lists, rich discussion about the meanings and usages if interesting derived words, and periodic study games and crossword puzzles Students are advised to complete the Vocabulary Building with Roots and Affixes Latin & Greek I and II courses with Dr. Karen Wieland before enrolling in this Prefixes class. WHO BENEFITS FROM STUDYING LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS AND AFFIXES? - Students learning English as a second language - Students who experience reading difficulties or other specific language learning differences - Students who have a need to increase their listening, speaking, or reading vocabularies - Word-curious students - Teachers who work with any students fitting the above patterns HOW, SPECIFICALLY, WILL YOUR CHILD BENEFIT FROM THIS COURSE? (1) Each Latin or Greek root or affix gives a student access to the core meanings of an exponentially greater number of words. Once your child learns 10 high-utility roots, s/he will be able to understand the core/basic meanings of 100+ high-level words. (2) Root and affix identification facilitates word recognition! (3) Morphemic word analysis is a great alternative to the ineffective “skip it” strategy described earlier. (4) The vocabulary emphasized in middle-grades and more advanced texts often contains high-frequency Latin and Greek roots and affixes. (5) Root and affix knowledge is one form of lexical (word) knowledge, and reading comprehension is heavily dependent upon lexical knowledge. I hope you agree that the study of Latin and Greek roots and affixes will be fruitful for you child! I look forward to working with you to promote your child's vocabulary development and word-curiosity! WEEKLY BREAKDOWN Week 1 - Overview of the history of the English language and definition of key terms (morpheme, stem, root, base, prefix, suffix, affix). With teacher modeling and guided practice, learners co-construct lists of English words prefixed by several unchangeable Anglo-Saxon prefixes. Each learner picks an Anglo-Saxon word element to research for homework. Week 2 - Unchangeable Anglo-Saxon prefixes, continued. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking. Each learner picks an Anglo-Saxon word element for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. Week 3 - Unchangeable Anglo-Saxon prefixes, continued. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking. Each learner picks an Anglo-Saxon word element for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. QuizletLive study games are played to wrap up the unit. Week 4 - Unchangeable Old French/Normal French prefixes. With teacher modeling and guided practice, learners co-construct lists of English words prefixed by several Anglo-Saxon prefixes. Each learner picks a French word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. Week 5 - Unchangeable Old French/Normal French prefixes, continued. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking. Each learner picks a French word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. QuizletLive study games are played to wrap up the unit. Week 6 - Unchangeable Latin prefixes. Learners co-construct lists of English words prefixed by several unchangeable Latin prefixes. Each learner picks a Latin word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. Week 7 - Unchangeable Latin prefixes, continued. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking. Each learner picks a Latin word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. QuizletLive study games are played to wrap up the unit. Week 8 - Changeable/Absorbed/Assimilated Latin prefixes. With teacher modeling and guided practice, learners co-construct lists of English words prefixed by several unchangeable Latin prefixes. Each learner picks a Latin word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. Week 9 - Changeable/Absorbed/Assimilated Latin prefixes. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking.. Each learner picks a Latin word element to research for homework. Spelling bee practice provided as time permits. Week 10 - Changeable/Absorbed/Assimilated Latin prefixes. Learners share back the word lists they had cultivated for homework and everyone builds on each other's thinking. Each learner picks a Latin word element to research for homework. QuizletLive study games are played to wrap up the unit.
Learning Goals
1. Learners will understand the history of the English language and how that history has affected the English lexicon.2. Learners will brainstorm about, research, and share back English derivatives prefixed by roughly 50 unchangeable word elements that indicate Old English, Old French, and Latin word origins.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS)10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction and overview
During our first session, we will use a Google Slides deck and deepen learners’ understanding the history of the English language, which explains why and how so many English words trace back to Latin, Old French, and Greek origins. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Old English Prefixes-1
During our second session, Dr. Wieland will model the process we will use to dive deeply into study of prefixes this term, which involves brainstorming, typing out words, determining parts of speech, and composing definitions that incorporate the meanings of prefixes, root, and suffixes. Unit content is organized into a Google Slides deck containing all the suffixes in the English language, and we will work through the several together. Learners will each choose an Old English prefix for HW. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Old English Prefixes-2
During our third session, Dr. Wieland will model the process we will use to dive deeply into study of prefixes this term, which involves brainstorming, typing out words, determining parts of speech, and composing definitions that incorporate the meanings of prefixes, root, and suffixes. Unit content is organized into a Google Slides deck containing all the suffixes in the English language, and we will work through the several together. Learners will each choose an Old English prefix for HW. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Unchangeable Latin Prefixes-1
During our fourth session, learners will share back their homework slides with their classmates so we can discuss, revise, and build in them together. Dr. Wieland will provide guided practice with applying two ‘tests’ to see if each suggested word belongs in the word family, and composing definitions that incorporate the meanings of prefixes, root, and suffixes, and engage learners in games or a mini-spelling bee as an extension activity. Learners will each choose an Old French Prefix for HW. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Learning Needs
As an expert teacher of students who experience language-based learning differences, I adjust my instruction, tasks, and assignments to fit the strengths and needs of enrolled learners.
Parental Guidance
I use the Google Slides app during my sessions as a shared space to present new content to students, prompt their thinking, and capture this thinking in writing. The Google Slides app allows multiple users to read and write simultaneously on slides.
The links to these files are sent to the students via the Zoom chat feature and posted on the classroom page. Students are not required to create Google accounts and they can write in shared files anonymously. However, if they want those files to be saved long-term in their Google Drives or in their parents’ Google Drives, they will need to request file access from the instructor.
The Quizlet app is used occasionally in class and between classes to study root and affixes meanings and derived vocabulary and to practice spelling. The instructor has a professional subscription and makes study sets. Links to those study sets are provided to students. During class, students sometimes play QuizletLive using game links shared during class. Students are not required to create Quizlet accounts and they can play Quizlet games under pseudonyms if they choose.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should be able to read fluently words composed of two or more closed syllables.
Joined September, 2017
5.0
463reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
New York Teaching Certificate
3 Degrees
Doctoral Degree from State University of New York at Buffalo
Master's Degree from State University of New York at Buffalo
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from The Catholic University of America
I am a dedicated and creative literacy specialist and language buff with 30 years of experience working with students of all ages. I have been teaching on the Outschool platform for seven years. In addition to this Vocabulary Building with Roots and Affixes course series, I also teach a nine-course Introduction to Latin series using the Latin for Children curricula, Primer A, B, and C.
I hold permanent certification from New York State in Reading (grades K-12). I am also a credentialed Wilson Reading System dyslexia practitioner. I have extensive experience with Orton-Gow methods for literacy re/mediation; the foundation for that work was the introductory training I received through the Gow Teacher Training Institute. I taught Orton-Gow (Reconstructive Language) at the Gow School and the Gow School Summer Program for several years. During the decade I spent working as a teacher educator and university reading center director, I helped to prepare several hundred reading teachers and literacy specialists in NY and PA.
I completed my undergraduate degree at The Catholic University of America School of Music. My doctoral and master’s degrees were earned at the University at Buffalo School of Education, under the advisement of Dr. Michael W. Kibby, a nationally known literacy diagnostician and scholar. I have presented my research at several national and international conferences, including Literacy Research Association, International Reading Association, and International Dyslexia Association.Reviews
Live Group Course
$20
weekly or $200 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
60 min
Completed by 90 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-14
4-8 learners per class
