SORT WORDS BY SHARED GREEK OR LATIN ROOTS

Key Notes :

Greek Roots

What are Greek Roots?

Lots of words we use every day have Greek roots! The ancient Greeks were thinkers and inventors, and they gave us many important ideas and words. Greek roots often show up in science, math, and technology words. Let’s look at some examples:

• Photo = light
• Graph = write
• Tele = far

Examples: Photograph: (photo = light, graph = write) = A picture made using light Telegraph: (tele = far, graph = write) = A system for sending messages far away

💡 Visual Aid: Imagine a photographer using light to write a picture (photograph). Imagine sending a message super far away using a wire (telegraph).

Latin Roots

What are Latin Roots?

Latin was the language of ancient Rome, a powerful empire! Many English words come from Latin. These roots appear in many different types of words. Here are some examples:

• Spect = look
• Port = carry
• Form = shape

Examples:Spectator: (spect = look) = Someone who watches an event Transport: (port = carry) = To carry something from one place to another Inform: (form = shape) = to give shape to an idea, so to give knowledge to someone.

💡 Visual Aid: Imagine someone carefully looking at a sports game (spectator). Imagine a truck carrying goods (transport). Imagine shaping playdough into a form, so you are giving shape to it!

Shared Roots!

Sometimes, words from different categories share the same root! Understanding the root helps you connect the meanings.

For example, the root ‘Bio’ is Greek and means ‘life’. Look at these words:

• Biology: The study of life.
• Biography: A written account of someone’s life.
• Antibiotic: A medicine that fights against life (bacteria).

Another example is the Latin root ‘Aqua’ meaning ‘water’.

• Aquarium: A tank filled with water where fish and other aquatic creatures live.
• Aquatic: Living or growing in water.
• Aqueduct: A channel or pipe designed to carry water over a long distance.

Practice Time!

Can you find the shared roots in these words? What do you think the words mean?

• Telephone, microphone
• Portable, export
• Visible, vision

Summary

Learning about Greek and Latin roots is like having a secret code to unlock the meaning of many words! By understanding these roots, you can become a word detective and figure out what new and unfamiliar words mean. Keep exploring and discovering new word roots – it’s a fun way to grow your vocabulary!

let’s practice!