Level 6 Phonics - Greek word origins
Phonics Lesson: Sounds from Greek
Links to the curriculum
Victorian Curriculum (English) Writing: Phonics and word knowledge
Level 6: Understand how to use banks of known words, word origins, base words, prefixes, suffixes, spelling patterns and generalisations to read and spell new words, including technical words and words adopted from other languages (VCELA354).
Resources:
Text containing Greek origins such as Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by R. Riordan (2004, UK: Puffin). Examples of words of Greek origins and Advanced (Tier 2/3) vocabulary e.g. claustrophobic, technically, prophecy, chaos,swaddling
Group size: small group
Learningintention
We are learning how words of Greek origin influence today'sEnglish.
We are developing our ability to use phonic knowledge to recognise increasingly complex words.
Success criteria:I can recognise patterns in words of Greek origin. I can find additional words that fit thesepatterns.
Role of the reader Text decoder
Lesson sequence
1.Clearly articulate the learning intention.
•We are going to continue reading about Greek Gods. A good example of a name of Greek origin is a character from the book - Persephone. We can use our existing understanding that 'ph' makes a /f/ sound and that an 'e' on the end of a word of Greek origin sometimes makes a long sound = per-sef-on-ee. Let's continue reading and see if there are some other words that fit this pattern.
•If possible, provide students with copies of the book or make a copy of the text that students can read along with.
2.Read the text to the students, stopping to discuss pronunciation of words of Greek origin as appropriate. e.g. 'y' sometimes makes a long 'i' sound e.g.'cyclops', 'Hyperion' and sometimes a short 'i' sound e.g 'Olympus', and 'Dionysus'
•Other 'ph' words in the text - Aphrodite, prophecy, Delphi, claustrophobic, photograph
3.After reading, ask students to record some of the words that show these letter-sound patterns.
•As a group, brainstorm other words from existing knowledge that could be added
e.g. telephone, graph, cipher, philosophy
e.g. cycle, Cypress vs cymbals, circle
Going Further: This activity links to developing understanding of Greek morphemes. Other letter-sound patterns from Greek word origins include:
•'ch' = /k/ - e.g. chaos, stomach, chronology, technical
•'ps' = /s/ - e.g. psychic, pseudonym, psychology
Differentiation
Support can be provided by teacher in this small group environment. Extension through students continuing to readindependently and identifying other examples of these letter-sound patterns.