AP English

Root Words Lesson Plan

This lesson is parts two and three of a root words mini lesson for my AP English class. Lesson
one was administered last week; I introduced the concept and worked with breaking down words
into roots, prefixes, and suffixes. For the following lessons, I want them to work and play with
the idea themselves. We are starting Shakespeares Hamlet.
The lesson should last approximately twenty minutes.
Critical Learning Objectives (numbered) [from my Unit Preface], followed by Specific
lesson objectives (lettered) being taught in this lesson:

Students will understand that breaking down of words into their roots, prefix, and suffix
can help them figure out the definition of an unknown word.
Students will know new root words.
Students will be able to figure out the meaning of a word by breaking it down into its
parts.

SOLs:
12.3 (a) Use structural analysis of roots to understand complex words
CCSs:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiplemeaning words and phrases

Procedures/Instructional Strategies
[Note: Any words that represent what I would say directly to students appear in italics.]
Beginning Room Arrangement:
Students are sitting around a conference table.
1. [2 mins.] Opening to lesson: Review previous lesson
Autobiography is written on the board.
Good morning, everyone! Today is a busy day, so lets get right to it. We are going to do
some more work with root words today. Lets review what we talked about on Thursday. Who
can tell me what this word means?
The answer with it is the story of someones life written by them.
Great! Now, lets break it down into its parts like we did before and see if we are right.
First, what is the root word? They answer bio. And what does bio mean? They answer
life. What is the prefix? They answer auto. And its meaning? By oneself. What is the
suffix? They answer grapy and it means written. It looks like we are right
2. [10 mins.] Step 1: Wheel graphic organizer

Now, can everyone pair off? I am passing out a wheel graphic organizer. Each pair will
receive one organizer. On the sheet you will find a list of roots without their definitions. Try
and fill in as many of the definitions as you can. Then as a pair, pick a root with which you
are unfamiliar and place it in the middle of the organizer. As a pair, brainstorm some words
that have that root in it and place them in the boxes surrounding the root. Once youve come
up with all the words you can think of, try to figure out the definition of the root by examining
your words.
While they work, I will write generous on the board.
It looks like everyone is done, so lets share what we have found out. As you listen to your
classmates, fill in the definitions of the roots they share on your sheet.
3. [10 mins.] Step 2: Be the Bard
Thank you, everyone. What is this word on the board? They answer. The funny thing about
generous is that it is one of over 1700 words Shakespeare has added to the English language.
Can anyone guess how he does it? They are bright kids they will catch on quickly. Right,
he frequently plays with the root, prefix, and suffixes of words to invent a whole new word.
Whos to say you cant do the same? By mixing and matching the different parts of words, try
to create five new words and then we will share what youve come up with!
4. [1 min] Closure: AP Test
You guys did wonderfully today. See, you are just as smart as Shakespeare! Thank you to
everyone that shared. As we have talked about before, it is important to remember these
skills as you take the AP exam in May. Figuring out the meaning of an unknown word by
breaking it down into its parts will really help you.

Methods of Assessment:
I will judge what they know by the review at the beginning of the lesson. Then, I will see their
progress by how they use the different parts of words when they create their own by the end of
the lesson.
Differentiated Instruction:
Students will be able to choose the root words they are not familiar with to develop their own
definition one they will be able to remember.
Materials Needed:
- Board
- Graphic organizer
- List of roots
Materials Appendix:
Appendix A

Appendix B
Root Words
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

a/an
act
ambi
bene
ject
liber
ob
pan

9. urb
10. zyg
11. noun/nunc
12. narr
13. mar/i
14. luc
15. fore