This week we will continue to look at words within maths.  Our focus words for this week are diameter, and radius.

Let’s look at the morphemes (building blocks) in each word.

When we look at the word radius, you will see an i, in the middle.  It is not a morpheme because it doesn’t carry any unit of meaning.  It is a connective sound to make it easier to say, when joining the two morphemes (units of meaning).

Let’s try to extend our knowledge of these morphemes and identify them in other words.  How do these morphemes help us to understand each word?

Can you think of other words containing each of these morphemes?    I’ve done one in each group for you.  https://membean.com/roots will help you find words, if you are stuck.

Write a word sum for each of the words you have created using the prefixes, root words and suffixes.  E.g. rad + i + ate  + ion = radiation

To use this as a spelling strategy each day of the week, see the weekly plan. 

How to use Pick and Mix each day for a week.

Diameter        diameters     diametric      diametrical       diametrically                Dialogue         dialogues      dialoguing    dialogued radius              radii                radiate         radiates             radiation

For more word explorations, click here.

Useful Tools for understanding and using the morphology of words.

Membean – https://membean.com/roots

Phonicsandstuff – https://phonicsandstuff.com/

Embracing Literacy – https://www.facebook.com/embracing.literacy/

It is not important for children to memorise what each morpheme means, but the more they are aware of the different meanings, the easier it will be to get spelling right and understand more fully what a word means.  Morphology is a tool and not a memory exercise.

Prefixes already used