Word Parts
"Most words used in the English language today were not originally English. These words were borrowed (taken) from other languages. The majority of English words have Latin or Greek origins. When taking the TOEFL* (Test of English as a Foreign Language), it is helpful to know some of these origins or "roots" of English vocabulary. It may be possible to guess the meaning of an unknown word when one knows the meaning of its root. Knowing prefixes and suffixes can also assist in the process."(Vocabulary Workshop, n.d.) "Teaching prefixes and suffixes is an important part of building better readers. Whether in the early years or advancing through college, all students can learn prefixes and use that knowledge to become more proficient in language arts. Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are the essential building blocks of all words. Teaching prefixes and suffixes help students understand the meaning behind different vocabulary words and students that learn prefixes have the capabilities of breaking down unfamiliar words into segments that are easily understood, learning new words becomes simpler. It is important to understand that prefixes come at the beginning of a word while suffixes are added at the end. Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are one of the most essential strategies for unlocking the meaning of new words available to students. By understanding different prefixes and suffixes meanings, students often have the tools needed for decoding difficult words. Teaching prefixes and suffixes provide students with skills that will last them throughout their school years and beyond. Students should learn prefixes in order to demystify the process of spelling and reading." (Common Prefixes and Suffixes Meanings & Roots of Words, 2012)
Image Source: http://www.cer.education.nsw.gov.au/documents/249903/250184/Teaching%20Word%20Parts%20finalv2.pdf (Vocabulary- Teaching Word Parts, n.d.)
A List of: SCIENTIFIC ROOT WORDS, PREFIXES, AND SUFFIXES
7 Reasons Teaching of Roots and Affixes is a Middle School Matter
"1. Quite simply, let's start with knowing the parts helps our students to understand the whole. Knowing commonly used roots and affixes can help students infer the definitions of new words in context.
2. The ability to infer meaning: Knowing Greek and Latin word parts helps students recognize and gain clues to understanding of other words that use known affixes and roots (Nagy & Scott, 2000).
3. Over 60% of the words students will encounter in school textbooks have recognizable word parts; and many of these Latin and Greek roots (Nagy, Anderson, Schommer, Scott, & Stallman, 1989). This means that word study can helps students' comprehension in all content areas.
4. Recent reading research has supported the morphological approach to vocabulary development in elementary and middle school. In linguistics, this practice of identifying and analyzing the parts of words in a given language is helpful in its acquisition.
5. Content area vocabulary is largely Greek and Latin-based and research supports this instruction, especially for struggling readers (Harmon, Hedrick & Wood, 2005).
6. Knowing commonly used suffixes can help students identify a word's part of speech, further helping with correct usage in writing.
7. Lastly, standardized tests assess students' vocabulary. Whether we like it or not, state testing seems to be here to stay. That being said, giving our students the tools necessary to be successful can turn what is often a stressful situation for many into an opportunity to confidently show what they know." (Middle School Matters Blog, 2013)
2. The ability to infer meaning: Knowing Greek and Latin word parts helps students recognize and gain clues to understanding of other words that use known affixes and roots (Nagy & Scott, 2000).
3. Over 60% of the words students will encounter in school textbooks have recognizable word parts; and many of these Latin and Greek roots (Nagy, Anderson, Schommer, Scott, & Stallman, 1989). This means that word study can helps students' comprehension in all content areas.
4. Recent reading research has supported the morphological approach to vocabulary development in elementary and middle school. In linguistics, this practice of identifying and analyzing the parts of words in a given language is helpful in its acquisition.
5. Content area vocabulary is largely Greek and Latin-based and research supports this instruction, especially for struggling readers (Harmon, Hedrick & Wood, 2005).
6. Knowing commonly used suffixes can help students identify a word's part of speech, further helping with correct usage in writing.
7. Lastly, standardized tests assess students' vocabulary. Whether we like it or not, state testing seems to be here to stay. That being said, giving our students the tools necessary to be successful can turn what is often a stressful situation for many into an opportunity to confidently show what they know." (Middle School Matters Blog, 2013)
References
Common Prefixes and Suffixes Meanings & Roots of Words. (2012). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from http://www.edu-nova.com/articles/roots-prefixes-suffixes/
English Vocabulary - Roots - "port" (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xgWthnbiY
Middle School Matters Blog: 7 Reasons Why the Teaching of Roots and Affixes Is a Middle School Matter. (2013). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from
http://middleschoolmattersblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/7-reasons-why-teaching-of-roots-and.html
SCIENTIFIC ROOT WORDS, PREFIXES, AND SUFFIXES. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.cforks.org/Downloads/RootWords.pdf
Vocabulary Workshop. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www2.southampton.liu.edu/academic/pau/course/webesl.htm
Vocabulary- Teaching Word Parts. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.cer.education.nsw.gov.au/documents/249903/250184/Teaching Word
Parts finalv2.pdf
English Vocabulary - Roots - "port" (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6xgWthnbiY
Middle School Matters Blog: 7 Reasons Why the Teaching of Roots and Affixes Is a Middle School Matter. (2013). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from
http://middleschoolmattersblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/7-reasons-why-teaching-of-roots-and.html
SCIENTIFIC ROOT WORDS, PREFIXES, AND SUFFIXES. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.cforks.org/Downloads/RootWords.pdf
Vocabulary Workshop. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www2.southampton.liu.edu/academic/pau/course/webesl.htm
Vocabulary- Teaching Word Parts. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2015, from http://www.cer.education.nsw.gov.au/documents/249903/250184/Teaching Word
Parts finalv2.pdf