B. Foundations of Language · Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation

More Latin Roots: Throw, Send, Lead, Move and Break

B2.1 B2.2 A3.1About 45 minutes

Learning goals

I can tell the meaning of Latin roots like ject, mit/miss, duct, mot/mov, form, pend, fract/frag, terr and manu.
I can use roots to figure out new words in math, science and social studies.
I can spell words by building them from a prefix, a root and a suffix.
I can explain how the roots in a word add up to its meaning.

Words to know

root
A word part that carries the main meaning, often from Latin or Greek. It usually can't stand alone.

Latin
The language of ancient Rome. Many English words come from Latin.

word web
A diagram with a root in the middle and words built from it around the outside.

morpheme
The smallest part of a word that has meaning.

Remember from Grade 4

In Grade 4 you learned Latin roots like port (carry), spect (look), struct (build), rupt (break), dict (say), aud (hear) and vis/vid (see). You learned that a root is like a base, but it usually can't stand alone.

In Grade 5 you'll add more roots. Each one unlocks a whole family of words. Knowing just one root can help you read and spell dozens of words, especially in math, science and social studies.

Latin root	Meaning	Examples
ject	throw	project, reject, eject, inject, object
mit / miss	send	transmit, submit, emit, mission, missile, dismiss
duc / duct	lead	conduct, produce, introduce, aqueduct
mot / mov	move	motion, motor, remove, movement, promote
form	shape	transform, uniform, formation, reform
pend	hang	pendant, pendulum, suspend, depend
fract / frag	break	fraction, fracture, fragment, fragile
terr	land, earth	territory, terrain, terrarium
manu	hand	manual, manuscript, manufacture
cred	believe	credit, incredible

Grade 5 Latin roots

One root, four words. The prefix tells which way something is thrown: forward, back, out or in.

Roots across your subjects

Math: a fraction is a number that shows part of a whole, like a whole that has been broken into equal parts (fract = break).
Science: a pendulum hangs and swings (pend = hang). Motion is movement (mot = move). Plants and animals reproduce (re- = again, duc = lead or bring).
Social studies: Canada has three territories: Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. A territory is an area of land (terr = land). Many goods are manufactured (manu = hand, fact = make): long ago, things were made by hand.

A pendulum hangs from one point and swings. The root pend (hang) is also inside pendant and suspend.

Worked example

Let's figure out manuscript

In a museum, you see a sign that says a 200-year-old manuscript. What is it?

Split it into parts: manu + script.
manu = hand. script = write (you met scrib/script in Grade 4, as in describe and script).
Add up the meanings: written by hand.

A manuscript is something written by hand (today the word also means an author's draft of a book).

Worked example

Let's spell /trans-MISH-un/

Spell the word for sending a message or signal across a distance, as in The radio ______ was clear.

Meaning: send across. trans- = across. mit/miss = send.
The suffix that makes a noun is -ion.
Before -ion, use the miss form: trans + miss + ion.
Write every part: transmission. The double s is part of the root miss.

transmission: trans + miss + ion.

Just for fun

Riddle: What do you call a machine that throws pictures forward onto a screen?

A pro-ject-or! (pro = forward, ject = throw, -or = a thing that does it.)

Root partners

mit and miss are the same root. Verbs often use mit (transmit, submit, admit, emit). Nouns often use miss (transmission, submission, admission, mission). Thinking of the pair helps you spell both.

Hands-on activity

Root word webs

You need: a large sheet of paper, coloured pencils or markers, and a dictionary (paper or online, with a grown-up).

Choose three roots from the table. Write each one in a circle in a different part of your paper.
Around each circle, write as many words as you can that use that root. Use the dictionary to find more.
Under each word, write a short meaning that uses the root's meaning. (eject: throw out).
Star any words that you've seen in math, science or social studies.
Hang your web on the fridge. Add new words whenever you find them this week.

Your turn

What does the root ject mean? Give two words that use it.

What does eject mean? (e- = out)

What does fragile mean? Use the root.

What does pend mean in pendant (a necklace charm)?

Spell the word for something that moves a car or a boat, built from mot: /MOH-ter/.

What does transform mean? (trans- = across, change)

Why is Nunavut called a territory? Use the root.

More practice: warm-up

What does manu mean?

What does mit / miss mean?

What does duct mean?

What does form mean?

What does cred mean?

More practice: on your own

What is incredible? (in- = not)

A teacher dismisses the class. Use the root to explain.

In math, why is a fraction a good name for numbers like ¾?

A firefighter has to conduct a safety check. Use the root to say what conduct means here.

Spell the noun from submit that names the thing you send in.

Challenge

A projector shines pictures onto a screen. Break it into parts and explain the name.

Make up a sensible meaning for a new word, terraform, using its roots. Then check: is your meaning close to how the word is used in science fiction?

Sort these words by root and give each root's meaning: motion, fracture, depend, remove, fragment, suspend.

Check your understanding

Quiz

What does the root ject mean?

Which word means easily broken?

What does terr mean in territory?

Which spelling is correct?

Something manufactured was originally made by...

A pendulum swings back and forth. Which root tells you it hangs?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (B2.1, B2.2, A3.1): Grade 5 students use morphological knowledge to read, spell and understand new words, including words from other subject areas. Latin roots are a powerful tool: fract unlocks fraction, fracture, fragment, fragile. Connecting roots to math, science and social studies vocabulary is part of Strand A's emphasis on transferring literacy skills across the curriculum.

How to help at home:

When your child meets a long word in homework, ask: "Can you find a root you know?"
Collect root words from signs and packaging (fragile on a parcel, motor on a lawn mower).
An online etymology dictionary or a good children's dictionary often lists roots.

Common difficulties:

Expecting roots to give an exact definition. Roots give a strong clue; context and a dictionary confirm.
Splitting in the wrong place (mot-her in mother). Not every matching letter group is a root. Check that the meaning fits.
Spelling only by sound. Writing the parts separately (trans + miss + ion) prevents dropped letters.