Precision of Language, Please!

Today's blog is about a type of learning I've always wanted to incorporate in my curriculum but never have. I have always been interested in Greek and Latin roots, and why our language is like it is. When you understand the root of words, the English language makes so much more sense.

Lesson 1: Introducing a new unit.
Microorganisms
1. Have the students write and define the word "microorganism" in their Science Journals without consulting with their neighbor.
2. Have a class discussion about their spellings and definitions.
3. Explore the word: micro (small; too small to be seen with the human eye) and organisms (any living thing). Discuss what words we know that have "micro" in them (microscope, microphone, etc.) and talk about those words. How do these words relate to "microorganism"?
4. Look up "microorganism" in the dictionary. Talk about its etymology and morphology (we use the dictionaries a LOT in my class!) Read some snippets from the book The Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty where microorganisms is discussed.
5. With a partner, make a glog about microorganisms, as far as they understand the word and its definition thus far. We will be learning about it much more in depth with the unit. At the end of the unit, the students will make a new glog and compare their knowledge growth from the beginning of the unit to the end.

Lesson 2: Learn new vocabulary in depth.
Polytheism (Mesopotamia)
1. Have the students write and define the word "polytheism" in their Social Studies Journals without consulting with their neighbor.
2. Have a class discussion about their spellings and definitions.
3. Explore the word: Read parts of Mesopotamia books I have in the classroom where polytheism is explored. Discuss the students' definitions again and what they now think the word means. Do they know of any other words that relate to poly or theisms? (Polygon, polygamy) What about opposites, such as monotheism and monogamy)
4. Discuss poly (many) and theism ("belief in the existence of a god or gods, especially belief in one god as creator of the universe, intervening in it and sustaining a personal relation to his creatures," Google). Discuss the important role gods played in the lives of the Mesopotamians. Read more about the Mesopotamians belief in the many gods. What do most people believe today?
5. In groups of 3 or 4, using an iPad, record a short skit about polytheism. Present to class.

Lesson 3: Part of regular weekly classroom instruction.
Different forms of roots, such as ped, struct, spec, and dict
These lessons will be pretty much the same.
1. Introduce the new root. Brainstorm ideas of words that have the root in them, and have students write them and their meaning in their LA Journal without consulting with their neighbor.
2. Have a class discussion about the root definition and spelling.
3. Explore the root: Look up words to find their spelling and meaning. What other words can you find with the same root? Can you make up words using the root?
4. Discuss the Latin and Greek meanings, the correct ones, and use it in real world words.
5. With a partner, create a wordle with the definition and various words using the root.

I am really looking forward to implementing these lessons!