CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4c
The Standard
Use a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., company, companion).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to spot a familiar base or root inside a longer word and use it to make a reasonable meaning guess. They should explain the link, not just say the words look alike. For example, if they know act, they can use it to think about actor, action, or react.
Mastery looks like a student underlining the root, saying what that root means, and using the sentence to check the word’s meaning. Students often get stuck when the spelling changes, when a word only looks related, or when they guess from one clue and ignore the sentence.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students word cards like help, helper, helpful, and helpless, then have them sort by root and explain each meaning change.
- Ask students to write: How can knowing the word care help you figure out careless or careful?
- Show three words with the same root and ask students to circle the root and write one meaning guess for the hardest word.
- Bring in a cereal box, flyer, or sports article and have students hunt for words built from roots they already know.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4c
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.4b
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.4b
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.4b
Use frequently occurring affixes as a clue to the meaning of a word.