1. Inventions Vocabulary Project
Greek and Latin Root Words,
Prefixes, and Suffixes
by Mindy Ittenbach Ellicott Mills Middle School
April, 2015

2. BRAINSTORMING
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to solve one of the world’s biggest problems. . .
Ex: Finding a cure for cancer, or finding a solution to air pollution
Or perhaps solve a big problem that you have?
Ex: You can’t keep track of your agenda book, or your little brother keeps getting in your stuff?

3. BRAINSTORMING (continued)
Determine which problem you would like to solve!
2. Think about how you would like to resolve it.
3. Think about an invention that would help you with your problem (it can be as crazy as you like)
Let’s take a look at one idea. . .

4. BRAINSTORMING (continued)
Ex: Problem- My brother keeps coming in my room and messing with my stuff!
Solution- I would like to keep my brother OUT of my room forever!

5. BRAINSTORMING (continued)
My Invention- A scanner installed outside of my bedroom that scans anyone who enters.
The scanner can tell the difference between my mom, dad, and my brother (and my cat and dog, too).
When it detects my brother is trying to enter my room, a laser beam streams particles at him, and then a shield pops up and blocks the doorway from him.

6. I will call my new invention the:
Littlebrotherdoorstopperlaserscanner

7. VOCABULARY CONNECTION
What do Greek and Latin root words, prefixes, and suffixes have to do with inventions?
That’s easy! If you want people all over the world to understand what your invention is all about, you need to use a language or languages that many people can understand.

8. GETTING TO THE ROOT
Many English words and parts of words can be traced back to Latin or Greek. If you know the meaning of a word's parts, you can probably guess what it means.
A root (also called a stem) is the part of the word that gives its basic meaning, but can't be used by itself. Roots need other word parts to complete them: either a prefix at the beginning, or a suffix at the end, or sometimes both.

9. Latin Roots The root -aqua- means water; example: aquarium
The root -ject- means to throw; example: reject
The root -mem- means to keep in mind; example: memory
The root -port- means to carry; example: transport
The root -scrib-/-script- means to write; example: prescription

10. Latin Prefixes The prefix co- means together; example: cooperate
The prefix de- means away, off; example: defrost
The prefix inter- means between, among; example: international
The prefix pre- means before; example: prevent
The prefix re- means again; example: replace
The prefix sub- means under; example: subway

11. Latin Suffixes
The suffix -able/-ible means capable or worthy of; example: workable
The suffix -fy/-ify, means make or cause to become; example: horrify
The suffix -ly means like, to the extent of; example: highly
The suffix -ous means full of; example: wondrous
The suffix -ty/-ity means state of, power to; example: purity

12. Greek Roots The root -chron- means time; example: chronology
The root -bio- means life; example: biology
The root -dem- means people; example: democracy
The root -phon- means sound; example: telephone
The root -psych- means mind, soul, spirit; example: psychology
The root -scope- means to see; example: telescope

13. Greek Prefixes
The prefix a-/an- means without, not; examples: anaerobic, amoral
The prefix auto- means self; example: autopilot
The prefix geo- means Earth; example: geography
The prefix micro- means small; example: microscope
The prefix tele- means far off; example: television

14. Greek Suffixes
The suffix-ism means act, state, theory of; example: realism
The suffix-ist means one who believes in, practices; example: capitalist
The suffix-graph means write, draw, describe, record; example: photograph
The suffix-logy means talk, speech, study; example: biology
The suffix-meter means measure, measuring device; example: kilometer

15. Directions:
Think about a problem you have or see that you’d like to change.
Think about what you would do to solve/fix this problem.
Using your imagination, design an invention that will help you solve/fix the problem you have identified.
Name your invention (must be at least 4 words in length).
Write a description of your invention. Be sure to include:
Title of invention (4 or more words)
Translated title (Latin or Greek only, labeled)
Describe the problem the invention is intended for.
Explain HOW the invention works (Use complete sentences)
Complete a diagram of the invention, with parts clearly labeled

16. DIRECTIONS: 1. Log in to your computer 2
DIRECTIONS: 1. Log in to your computer 2. Go to iKeepBookmarks: Find: ITTENBACH INVENTIONS Latin & Greek Roots
Select

17. G Geoudegymnmiasm by geo earth (Greek) ude ground (Greek) gymn
bare (Greek)
miasm
Pollution (Greek)
The Geoudegymnmiasm makes litter
a thing of the past. You plant the seed, add
water, and a special plant grows. The pollen
spreads across a 100-mile radius, destroying
trash in that area. This invention is safe for plants and animals, does not aggravate allergies, and comes with a money-back guarantee!

18. References
The World Almanac for Kids Copyright © 2003 by World Almanac Education Group, Inc. The World Almanac and The World Almanac for Kids are registered trademarks of World Almanac Education Group, Inc.