Understanding Morphology Morphology is the study of word structure. Morphemes are the the smallest unit of meaning in language (Curzan & Adams, p. 99). When studying English morphemes, it is important to note that English words as we know them today have been shaped by a variety of languages, including: Old English, Latin, Greek, German, French, in addition to several others. The advent of the internet and vast usage of texting has also changed the English language in tremendous ways in the 21st Century.
Not all word structures are not fixed or static. To understand word parts, it is helpful to identify words as closed-class or open-class. Closed-class refers to words that do not change, but there are many more words that are considered open-class or changeable. This means the meaning of the word can be changed by adding affixes or verb form. Integrating the study of root words and affixes is a terrific way to help students learn a vast amount of English vocabulary. |
Strategies & Resources |
Root Words and Affixes
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Taken from Deb Hanson | Crafting Connections
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It is beneficial to integrate root and affix instruction on when learning and analyzing new vocabulary. Students can also study a unit or mini-unit on root words and affixes. Pinterest has a plethora of root and affix examples. When I previously taught seventh and eighth graders, I taught units on root words, as well as affixes. In the activity, students would each be assigned a particular prefix or suffix. They would create a visual representation and prepare a brief class presentation. With construction paper, scissors, markers, and string, students created pizzas, quilts, rainbows, among other images. The affix would be at the top of the paper and the other words using the affix would be organized on the paper. For example, a pizza prefix “re”, could include various “toppings” such as reheat, redo, revise, etc. These student projects can be posted on the classroom walls as a word resource for new vocabulary words.
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