This week we will continue to look at words within maths.  Our focus words for this week are: Triangle and quadrilateral.

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

triangle

tri + angle  =  triangle                                                            

tri – three,   angle – angle                                          

quadrilateral

quadr + i + later +  al = radius      

quadr – four,    i – connective,  later – line or side, al – having the characteristics of

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.  A.I. can also create word sums.  Just ask it to “create a words sum for the word ***” and write what each morpheme means. 

Write a word sum for each of the words you have created using the prefixes, root words and suffixes.  E.g. quad + rant = quadrant

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.

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

Morphemes of other numbers

half	Semi-  (semicircle)   hemi  (hemisphere)
one	Mono- (monorail)   uni (unicycle
two	Bi-  (bicycle)     di  (dioxide)
three	Tri- (tricycle)
four	Quad-  (quadruped)          Tetra   (tetragon)
five	Penta- (pentagon)             quin   (quintuplet)
Six	Hexa-   (hexagon)
Seven	Hepta-  (heptagon)            septa    (septennial)
eight	Octa-/octo-     (octagon)
nine	Nona-   (nonagenarian)
ten	Deci-   (decimal)         deca  (decathlon)
hundred	Cent-   (century)
thousand	Kilo-    (kilogram          milli-   (millimeter