Description: Word Benches are a way to scaffold student understanding of etymology. It allows students to record unfamiliar terms and process them by analyzing the prefix, root, and suffix of the word to determine its meaning. Students should use word benches until they realize that they have come to understand word parts and can read more fluently as a result of this knowledge.
Step-by-Step
- Begin by providing students with their own copy of the word benches to keep in their notebook or learning log. It is also recommended that overhead transparencies be made of the word benches to allow everyone to see how a word can be analyzed to uncover its meaning.
- Teachers may begin the etymology study by having students follow a simple introductory assignment. For example,
UN- is a prefix
Unprepared means to not be prepared.
Unavailable means to not be available.
What do you think the prefix UN- means? _______________
What other words do you know beginning with UN-?
List them.
- Using this list of words, teachers and students can “take” the words to the word bench for analysis.
- Working together, determine the meaning of the words. For example, show students un- on the prefix word bench and proceed to the root and suffix bench. If a word does not fit the pattern, explain that other options, such as consulting the dictionary or using word substitution may be necessary. It is important to remind students that spelling rules apply when combining word parts; for example, atheist is prefix a- with root –theo- and suffix –ist.
- Students can then begin defining words as necessary. The word bench word space is designed to allow students to write words on 3”X5” index cards.
http://nyscate.wikispaces.com/file/view/Roots_Suffix_prefix.pdf