Objective:

Students will collaboratively create flowcharts that outline strategies for determining the meaning of unknown words, using context, word parts, and reference materials. They will explore word relationships and use flowchart design to organize and sequence the steps involved in solving complex language problems.

Materials Needed:

• Chart paper or whiteboards for creating flowcharts

• Markers

• Word lists that include words with Greek or Latin roots and affixes

• Dictionaries and thesauruses (physical or digital)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by discussing how unfamiliar words can often be understood by breaking them down into parts and using context clues. 

  • Ask students to think about strategies they use when encountering unknown words. 

  • Introduce the idea of creating a flowchart to show how these strategies can be applied step by step to clarify meanings.

• Group Activity - Flowchart Creation:

  • Divide students into small groups. 

  • Provide each group with a word list and have them design a flowchart that guides a reader through the process of determining a word's meaning. The flowchart should include branches for using context clues, breaking down word parts, and consulting a dictionary. Groups can include examples of words that use Greek or Latin roots as part of their flowchart.

• Discussion and Presentation:

  • Once the flowcharts are complete, groups will present their work to the class. Each group will explain their process, discussing how word relationships such as synonyms or cause/effect pairs help in understanding nuances in meaning. 

  • The class will discuss how this flowchart can be used to solve word meaning problems in real-world reading scenarios.

Equity and Access:

Provide visual aids and pre-made flowchart templates for students who need additional support. Ensure that each group is balanced with students who have varied strengths in language and logic to promote collaboration.

Real-World Application:

Relate the lesson to real-world situations where understanding the meaning of complex words is essential, such as in reading academic texts or professional documents. Emphasize how using step-by-step strategies can aid in understanding challenging vocabulary.

CS Practice(s):

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify the problem of understanding unknown words and create a step-by-step approach using flowcharts.

• Developing and Using Abstractions: Students abstract the process of determining word meanings into a visual flowchart that can be applied to any unfamiliar vocabulary.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS ELA-Literacy L.6.4

• CA CS 6-8.AP.10

Students will use Google Sheets, Excel, or other spreadsheet software to organize and represent vocabulary data, specifically focusing on the frequency of common word parts (prefixes, roots, suffixes). They will create visual charts to display patterns in the data and verify the meanings of words using online reference materials.

Materials Needed:

• Computers 

• Lists of vocabulary words with Greek and Latin roots

• Online dictionaries or thesauruses for reference

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by reviewing how prefixes, roots, and suffixes help us understand the meanings of complex words. 

  • Discuss how data can be represented visually to reveal patterns, such as how often certain word parts appear in grade-level vocabulary. 

  • Explain that students will use spreadsheets to input and represent word data through charts.

• Group Activity - Data Input and Chart Creation:

  • Students work in pairs to input their word list into spreadsheets, separating each word into its prefix, root, and suffix. 

  • After entering the data, students use the “Insert Chart” feature in the spreadsheet software to create a visual representation, such as a bar graph or pie chart, that shows the frequency of word parts. 

  • As they analyze the data, they discuss how certain prefixes or roots are more common and what that reveals about word meanings.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Pairs present their charts to the class, explaining the patterns they observed in the word data. They will discuss how the visual representation helped them better understand the structure of language and clarify the meanings of unfamiliar words. 

  • The class will reflect on how representing data visually can make abstract concepts more concrete.

Equity and Access:

Provide a step-by-step tutorial on using spreadsheets and pre-made templates for students with little experience using spreadsheets. Pair students with varying levels of tech proficiency to encourage peer support.

Real-World Application:

Connect this lesson to real-world uses of spreadsheets, such as data analysis in fields like research, business, and technology. Discuss how professionals use data visualization to reveal patterns and solve problems in various industries.

CS Practice(s):

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students create charts and graphs that represent vocabulary data, enhancing their understanding of language structure through digital tools.

Standard(s):

• CA CCSS ELA-Literacy L.6.4

• CA CS 6-8.DA.7

• CA CS 6-8.DA.8