Vocabulary Lesson Plan

Name: Ruthann Hertel

Subject: Language Arts
Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Length of Lesson: 30-45 minutes
Content:
Students will use common Latin suffixes to decode words and determine the meaning of the
morphemes in the word. By adding a prefix to a word, the meaning of the word will be changed.
This lesson will teach students how to break a word into the morphemes, find the meaning of
each and then determine the meaning of the whole words by combining its parts. This lesson is
the introduction to the vocabulary for the week.
Scope and Sequence:
Lesson will be taught after the prefix and suffix lessons. Students will also have an
understanding of morphemes and how to recognize them within a word. Common prefixes and
suffixes have been previously taught.
State Core Standards:
CCSS: English Language Arts
1. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
a. Language Standard 4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and
multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content,
choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Objective b. Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known
affix is added to a known word (e.g., agreeable/disagreeable,
comfortable/uncomfortable, care/careless, heat/preheat).
2. Conventions of Standard English
a. Language Standard 2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard
English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Objective e. Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied
words and for adding suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries,
happiness).
Student Background and Rationale:

Concepts explicitly linked to students background knowledge: Students will use their
prior knowledge that smaller the morphemes within a word can change the meaning.
Students know how to add a prefix to change the meaning. This lesson will extend that
knowledge by introducing new suffixes.

Concepts explicitly linked to prior learning: Students will have completed the
introduction lessons on prefixes and suffixes, as well as have a prior understanding of
morphemes.

Student Objectives (SWBAT +Learning Behavior + Content+ Strategy + Condition):

Students will be able to listen to teacher read the vocabulary words from the vocabulary
presentation.
Students will be able to read and speak vocabulary as a whole group after teacher has
read the word.
Students will be able to determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known
affix is added to a known word.
Students will be able to write new vocabulary correctly in their Vocabulary notebook.
Students will be able to write one sentence for each vocabulary word in their vocabulary
notebook.
Preparation and Materials List:
Using Morpheme to Determine Meaning Prezi
o http://mrshertel.weebly.com/morpheme-prezi.html
Computer
Vocabulary notebook
White board/smart board
Happy Endings a story about suffixes by Robin Pulver
Vocabulary words
Teacher

Stronger

Quietly

Badly

Wonderful

Helpful

Motionless

Fearless

Happiness

Sweetness

Biology

Geology

Autograph

Photograph

Thermometer

Diameter

Telescope

Microscope

Telephone

Microphone

Classroom Setup:
Whole classroom instruction. Students will be seated in their individual seats watching the
vocabulary presentation. Students will read and say (chorally) each word and then write down
the vocabulary word and sentence correctly in their vocabulary notebook.
Outline of Instruction:
Introduction:

Teacher will read Happy Endings a story about suffixes to the whole class. Pausing and asking
students if they have heard or used the suffixes in the story.
Activity/Content:

Teacher will lead class discussion of common suffixes they have used. Address any
misconceptions about what changes the meaning of a word.
Teacher will begin Vocabulary Prezi
o Review the meaning of a morpheme the smallest unit of meaning in a word.
o Review the meaning of a prefix a morpheme placed at the beginning of a word
that changes its meaning. (not in prezi but review with class).
o Introduce the meaning of suffix a morpheme placed at the end of a word that
changes the meaning.
Teacher will write common suffixes that students know on the board, discussing the
meaning of each and how it might change the meaning of words.
o Ask students what words they know that have those suffixes.
o If a suffix is brought up that is in the prezi, note that you will be learning more
about this one and move on.
Teacher will continue with the Prezi, introducing each suffix.
o Each suffix will be read out loud by teacher followed by a choral reading by the
class.
o Ask students to say a word they already know with each suffix.
Introduce the vocabulary words for each Suffix
o Teacher will read each new vocabulary out loud followed by a choral reading by
the class.
o Teacher will read meaning and sentence for each vocabulary word.
Teacher will write the morphemes on white/smart board
o Define each morpheme (teach = to teach; -er = one who)
Instruct students to write the vocabulary word in notebooks, including
o Vocabulary word
o Each morpheme
o Definition of each morpheme
o Definition of new word (vocabulary word)
Ask students to come up with a sentence using the vocabulary word.
o Instruct students to write the new sentence using the vocabulary word in their
vocabulary notebook.
Sentence must have correct conventions of Standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Vocabulary word must be spelled correctly.
Repeat for all vocabulary words

Closure:
Pencils down.

Teacher will review vocabulary words by calling (or pulling sticks) on one student per
vocabulary word.
o Student will
Say vocabulary word
Say each morpheme
Spell the vocabulary word
Say the meaning of vocabulary word
Read their sentence using the vocabulary word

Extension:
The list will be used throughout the week for using and studying the vocabulary words.
Vocabulary assessment at the end of the week.
Evaluation:

Teacher will assess group reading of vocabulary words by walking around the room
listening to students read and say each vocabulary word.
Teacher will assess students as they review the list. Walking the room to make sure
students have written vocabulary words in notebook.
Vocabulary notebook will be assessed for:
o Correct spelling of each vocabulary word with the following:
Vocabulary word
Each morpheme
Definition of each morpheme
Definition of new word (vocabulary word)
o Correct use and spelling of each vocabulary word in each student created
sentence, with the following
Sentence must have correct conventions of Standard English
capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Vocabulary word must be spelled correctly.
End of week vocabulary assessment

Analyzing lesson for Differentiation:

ELL students will be provided with a graphic organizer that includes the words broken into
individual morphemes and pictures of each.
Teacher will support students with special needs in the form of individual study sessions to
reinforce the concepts of morphemes and the meaning of each.
Technology and New Literacys:

Prezi presentation of Using Morphemes to Determine Meaning available at

http://mrshertel.weebly.com/morpheme-prezi.html