'Root words' tutor notes

The aim of the 'root words' module is to help learners correctly spell and recognise words by applying knowledge of root words.

Other areas on the site which link in with this module are:
Prefixes - A group of letters that goes at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
Suffixes - A group of letters that goes at the end of a word to change its meaning.

How does this tie in with the curriculums?

• England
  Ww/L1.1 - 'Spell correctly words used most often in work, studies and daily life'.
  Rw/L1.3 - 'Recognise and understand an increasing range of vocabulary, applying knowledge of word structure, related words, word roots, derivations, borrowings'.
  
• Wales
  As England.
• Northern Ireland
  As England.
• Scotland
  See www.aloscotland.com for details of the Scottish curriculum.

In the Skillswise module you'll find:

Root words factsheets
There are two factsheets in this section which can be printed out and kept.

• Factsheet 1 - What are root words?
• Factsheet 2 - More root words.

Root words quiz
A three level quiz for learners to test how well they know their root words. Level A is the easiest and level C the hardest.
There is a system in place that allows students to print out a certificate if they score 50% or over in the quiz. This appears as a link on the results page - click on the link and the certificate will appear in a new window. Learners can write their name on the certificate.

Root words worksheet
There is one worksheet in this section.

• Worksheet 1 - Find and expand root words.

Root words game
We currently don't have an activity or game for this module. If you have any great ideas for a root words game please tell us about them at skillswise.feedback@bbc.co.uk

Technical help:

If you are new to the web, why not try the BBC WebWise online course, Becoming WebWise? It's free, you can do it in your own time from any computer and it will take you through everything you need to know to use the web successfully in your teaching.
Get WebWise.

You can find out more about the technical requirements for Skillswise in our Help - Technical Information section.

Taking it further:

With Skillswise
Don't forget to visit Lesson plans and Teaching inspirations for more ideas for teaching root words.

With the web
Here's a suggestion of a place on the web you might find useful for teaching root words:

• Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre
  Free resources created by basic skills tutors. There is a prefix game with instructions, game cards and prompts. You could modify this to focus on root words.

Please note that the BBC is not responsible for the content of other websites.

Do you know of any great online resources for practising root words? Tell us about them!