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Educators and parents have been asking us for more School SCRABBLE^® activities. Here they are! Every two weeks, a new page will be posted. We welcome your questions and suggestions. Send them to Cindy McCaffery.

More Latin Roots

June 4-15, 2001

Many words in the English language have Greek and Latin roots. Knowing the meaning of Greek and Latin roots will help your students unlock the meaning of many unfamiliar words. Write the following Latin words on the chalkboard:

Explain to students that each of these Latin words refers to a body part. Ask students if they can think of any words in the English language that were derived from these words and that might give a clue as the meaning of the Latin words. If students have difficulty, give them the following hints: manual, digital, pedestrian, cap.

Remind students that many of our English words originated in Greek and Latin. Understanding the meaning of a root word can often help them figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Call on them to find words that contain these Latin roots and post their findings on a bulletin board. Periodically review the words on the bulletin board and have students provide definitions. As students learn new words with Greek and Latin roots, add them to the bulletin board display. Remind students to look for these root words on their racks when they play the SCRABBLE^® game. They may be able to build on the root word and score big points. Possible responses include: manifest, manufacture, manuscript, manicure, manipulate, digit, digitalis, digitize, digitoxin, pedicure, pedal, pedestal, pedicab, pedipalp, pedometer, caput, capital, capitalism, captain, capitulate, capitate, caponata and cappelletti.

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Browse our archives for back issues from 2000 (issues #1-8) and 2001 (issue #9 and on).

elsewhere on this web site, you can: find out-of-the-box tips, print score sheets, scorecards and challenge slips or buy a copy of the Official SCRABBLE^® Players Dictionary, Third Edition

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