Eureka!! Root Word Trifolds!!!

Every year, I try to make things work a little better than the year before.  I am always tweaking lessons or units so that I can get the most out of them.

One of the areas I have always been looking for "something" is my Greek and Latin Root word study.  Over the years I have taught them in a sort of systematic way, but it was always a "maybe" subject.  Maybe I will get to it.  Maybe I will do this with the roots today.  Maybe I will make something that won't make this a "maybe" subject.

Well, this year, I think I did it.

What I did was create these Root Word Trifolds.  Essentially, combining all of the things I had been doing in the past, but into one easy to use and follow trifold.  



So here is how it works:

Each Monday, I copy the trifold I am using for the week back to back.  I pass them out to the kids, they fold them (because I am sure not going to fold 32 trifolds myself!) and we get to discussing the roots.   Here is the exact schedule of what I do.


Click on the picture to make it larger.
This takes no more than 10 minutes of class time a day.  And I have to tell you, I LOVE this.   It makes teaching the Greek and Latin Roots and Affixes so much easier for me as a teacher.  I no longer have to worry if the kids have their index cards, or circle maps, or other record keeping thing that I used before.  It is all rolled up into one space.  The kids like it too.  For some reason, folding paper makes things so much more awesome for them!  :)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-and-Latin-Root-Word-Trifolds-1235218
My favorite part, though, is what we do on Fridays.  I added in a test prep component that I called "Test Your Knowledge".  Since we all know that knowing the roots themselves doesn't do any good if you can't put them into context, I made this section so the students have to actually do just that.

You can see in this picture that not only are they answering the questions with the roots, but they are providing evidence of it as well!  #3 shows just how they are using the roots to help them deconstruct the made up word!  I love it!  :)

So basically, since I started using these, my life has become SO much easier!

And if you just can't wait, here is the link to the Root Word Trifolds in my store.  They really would make the PERFECT review right now and would be awesome to incorporate into your curriculum for next year.

What do you do to teach Greek and Latin Roots in your classroom?  

34 comments

  1. Loved it so much I went ahead and purchased it! This is fabulous. :)
    ~Brandee
    Creating Lifelong Learners

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  2. Wow! This is just what I need. I really did not do a good job with root words this year. We are starting common core next year. This would be great. Just what I need to be prepared. Thanks for the opportunity. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/279786195575290727/
    ugamler@boyertownasd.org

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  4. Very engaging product! Would love to use your trifolds with my students as we study affixes and root words. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/245305510928220580/

    Thank you,
    Kim
    khenry22@aol.com

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  5. I don't currently do anything for root words but I would love to!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/258816309810585494/

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  6. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/136374694941244739/ The 4th grade teacher and I use two great workbooks: Greek and Latin Roots and More Greek and Latin Roots. It is set up as a weekly lesson for each root. Love it when the students run up to me to show me words that match the ones we have studied when they find them in their independent reading books. They get so excited...and so do I!...to see them applying and making connections to what we have studied. :)

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  7. These are awesome!! I hope I win , but I will definitely purchase if I don't!!! :)

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  8. What a great resource! It is difficult to make sure I am consistent --this will really help me stay on track! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/236509417906179546/

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  9. I haven't done much beyond a few lessons with root words in the past. But now that I'm moving up to 5th, these would be perfect!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/192317846562666404/

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  10. Thank you for sharing this resource!! You have great ideas to make learning fun with your interactive materials! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/210050770095169431/

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  11. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! Right now, my root word instruction is haphazard. When we come across one in our reading, we deconstruct it, but I definitely don't feel it's effective enough to stick with them. Love the idea of interacting with the same set of roots daily for a week.

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/31595634860667358/

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  12. I love this and so can't wait to try it. I tried this year, but with no fidelity the students really didn't learn what they needed. Can't wait to try this.

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  13. This is like one of those "Doh!" moments! So simple so organized! Thanks for sharing! Totally easy to incorporate into class a few minutes a day!

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/100134791689872735/

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  14. We do so much work with roots in our room...this would be a great support during Daily 5! Thank you!

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  15. Right now I'm using Ladybug Teacher Files Morphology Dictionary, but I want something they turn in each week!! I would love to win this!! http://pinterest.com/pin/124412008430733513/

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  16. I have also attempted to include greek and latin roots in my teaching this year. It has been very "hit or miss". I am excited to try this program. It is very explicit and detailed and I love that it only takes 10 minutes a day!

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  17. This is an area in which I desperately need help and direction - that's why this product really fills a need. Plus, vocabulary is so important to reading comprehension. Here's the pin:
    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/138415388522251827/

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  18. I struggle with this...We do very few activities so could really use this product

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  19. Right now, it is mainly when we come across words in our close readings. I REALLY need to get better at this!! Thanks for the chance- here is the pin! http://www.pinterest.com/pin/111675265734715710/

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  20. Here is my link: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/281543701629241/
    I would love to win this! I don't do NEARLY enough with greek/latin roots. We used to have a "vocabulary" as an enhancement class, and the kids loved it. I'm adding it to my wish list in case I don't win it. Fingers crossed!

    Julie
    http://www.thehipteacher.blogspot.com/

    TheHipTeacher

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  21. Here is my link http://www.pinterest.com/pin/224335625163567579/
    This is just what our 5th grade needs. We are looking at an organized way to teach morphology to our fifth graders, must also be teacher friendly! Looks like your tri fold paper would work perfectly! Would LOVE to win this! Thanks so much for the opportunity-
    I blog at - pypinparadise.blogspot.com

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  22. I have used some of your ideas...but can hardly wait to use the trifold idea next fall...THANKS

    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/255157135112841659/

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  23. What a great idea! I work with root words throughout the year, but I know I need to add to my bag of tricks. My kids like playing root word concentration. These trifold will make root words so much more meaningful. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/186617978283910415/

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this!

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  24. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/175358979215643387/
    I love your root word wall. I worked a lot on that with my students last year, but this year I really haven't gotten around to doing it....
    This is great because it provides instant assessment of understanding. I would love to have these to add to my toolbox.

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  25. This was my first year using Common Core so I had never taught Greek and Latin Root words before. I did not do very well this year so I think this will help me get the ball rolling next year.

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  26. Awesome product! We have a full year of root word work. Each week our students get five bew roots. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/327285097893656600/ Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  27. This would be great addition to my root word unit I teach!

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  28. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/82824080622166725/
    I try to spend time each week, but sometimes I am unsuccessful. I also try to incorporate into other subjects when possible (even if just a quick breakdown of "perimeter" during math). Students have different sheets to record prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

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  30. I am a new teacher and have struggled to use root words in my room this year. I have already set up new ways for me to use them next year, such as arranging my word wall by roots to help my kids see the patterns. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/286752701249016311/

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  31. I've taught prefixes and suffixes for year to my 5th graders, but thanks to CCST, now I am incorporating other roots. The activity that my kids liked best was "I have who has." I modified the activity from a Greek and Latin Root book I had purchased. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/21321798210614944/

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  32. Thank you to all who entered! We have a winner now. Amie B...it is you!

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  33. Seriously you have THE BEST ideas out there! My root word study needs a lot of improvement. Thanks for the teaching suggestions page! The daily review is great for the kids! I've been on a bit of a hiatus and I'm finally catching up on all my favorite blogs. :)
    Chelsea
    Fifth Grade Wit and
    Whimsy

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