Page 129 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Language Arts

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WHY LEARN T O SPELL?

Meanings
Many English words come from Latin or Greek,
and learning to recognize these roots and This verb means to This noun refers to the
boundary of a shape,
understand what they mean can help with sail all the way around. such as a circle.
spelling. For example, mar is the Latin word
for “sea,” and it is used in the English words
marine and maritime. A common Greek
example is dec, which means “ten,” and
this is used in the English words decade This adjective means
and decathlon. Some root words, such as to be unwilling to
build, which comes from the Old English word The Latin word circum means take risks.
byldan, are instantly recognizable and form “round” and can be used to
the basis for other related words, including create many English words.
building, builder, and rebuild.

This noun refers to the This verb means to
situation a person finds find a way around.
himself or herself in.

Word beginnings and endings
Some words can have an extra part added to This prefix gives the root root word
them, which results in a new word. This addition word the new meaning
is called a prefix (word beginning) or a suffix “to develop again.”
(word ending) and can change the meaning
of the word. For example, social acquires the
opposite meaning when the prefix anti- is added,
resulting in antisocial. However, when the suffix
-ite is added to the same root word, the result is Adding a suffix to redevelop
socialite, which refers to a person who enjoys changes the verb into a noun
social activities. that describes something that
is being developed again.

Choose the right words
In some cases, spelling errors can produce a different meaning
from the one expected. This is especially true when words that
are spelled differently but pronounced the same (homophones)
create unintentional, but sometimes amusing, results.

Replace with mousse Replace with yew for Replace with current for
for a type of dessert. a species of tree. a body of moving water.

Mike ate a lemon moose under the ewe tree, then went for a swim. The currant caught him,
and he let out a whale. Suddenly it was a scary plaice. If he didn’t dye, he’d have an epic tail.

Replace with wail for Replace with place for a Replace with die to Replace with tale
a high-pitched cry. specific point or location. describe the end of living. for a type of story.