Teach the power of word roots to help students unlock the meaning of words and deepen their understanding of language.
Transform vocabulary learning with this engaging, easy-to-use resource designed for busy teachers and parents. These 52 concise lessons are perfect for helping students understand word roots, expand their vocabulary, and build skills that support academic growth.
Drawing on research about the value of word roots in language learning, Timothy Rasinski, Nancy Padak, Rick M. Newton, and Evangeline Newton present practical, ready-to-use lessons. Each two-page lesson includes:
- A teacher/parent page: Background information about the holiday and word root.
- A student page: A fun, focused activity and optional extension ideas for further exploration.
Empower students to uncover the magic of language—one root at a time! Perfect for classrooms, homeschool settings, or family learning activities. Whether you're a teacher or parent, this resource provides an approachable and engaging way to foster a deeper understanding of language in learners.
Dr. Timothy Rasinski is a professor emeritus of literary education at Kent State University and was previously director of its award-winning reading clinic. Dr. Rasinski is the author of numerous best-selling books, articles, and curriculum programs on literacy education and has co-authored many resources for Shell Education including, but not limited to, Greek & Latin Roots: Keys to Building Vocabulary, Starting with Prefixes and Suffixes, Practice with Prefixes, Vocabulary Ladders: Understanding Word Nuances series, Getting to the Roots of Content-Area Vocabulary series, Idioms and Other English Expressions series, Close Reading with Paired Texts series, Rhymes for the Times: Literacy Strategies through Social Studies, as well as TCM’s curriculum resource Building Vocabulary series.
Dr. Rasinski is a frequent, well-known presenter nationwide and in 2021, 2023, and 2026 was named one of the top 2% most-citied scientists in the world. His scholarly interests include reading fluency, word study, reading in the elementary and middle grades, and readers who struggle. Dr. Rasinski served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the International Reading Association and was co-editor of The Reading Teacher, the world’s most widely read journal of literacy education. He has also served as co-editor of the Journal of Literacy Research. Dr. Rasinski is a former president of the College Reading Association and has won the A. B. Herr and Laureate Awards from the College Reading Association for his scholarly contributions to literacy education. In 2010, Dr. Rasinski was elected to the International Reading Hall of Fame, and in 2019 Dr. Rasinski was recipient of the International Literacy Association’s highest honor―the William S. Gray Citation of Merit―for his contributions to the field of literacy.
Visit Dr. Rasinski's website: www.timrasinski.com
Nancy Padak, Ed.D., is the Principal Investigator for the Ohio Literacy Resource Center and directs the Reading and Writing Center at Kent State University. She has served as editor of The Reading Teacher and the Journal of Literacy Research.
Rick M. Newton, Ph.D., holds a doctoral degree in Greek and Latin from the University of Michigan and is now an emeritus professor of Greek and Latin at Kent State University. He holds the Distinguished Teaching Award from the Kent State College of Arts and Science.
Evangeline Newton, Ph.D., University of Akron, is Professor of Literacy Education and Director of the Center for Literacy. She teaches literacy methods courses and conducts workshops for teachers on word study, comprehension, and guided reading.
Rick M. Newton, Ph.D., holds a doctoral degree in Greek and Latin from the University of Michigan and is now an emeritus professor of Greek and Latin at Kent State University. He holds the Distinguished Teaching Award from the Kent State College of Arts and Science.
