How to find the root in the words ribbon, kittens, path in the 3rd grade? - briefly
To find the root of a word like "ribbon," "kittens," or "path" in the third grade, focus on the base form before any suffixes are added. For example, remove "-s" from "kittens" to get "kitten," and then drop the final "-en" to find the root "kit." Similarly, for "ribbon," take off "-on" to reach "rib," and for "path," it's already a root word.
How to find the root in the words ribbon, kittens, path in the 3rd grade? - in detail
To find the root of a word in third grade, students should follow these steps:
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Identify the base word: Start by identifying the main part of the word that carries its core meaning. For example, in "ribbon," the base word is "rib." In "kittens," it is "kit," and in "path," it is "path" itself since it's already a root word.
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Remove inflectional endings: Inflectional endings are suffixes that change the tense, number, or form of the verb without changing its basic meaning. Common inflectional endings include -s, -ed, -ing, and -en. Remove these endings to reveal the root word. For instance, in "kittens," removing the plural ending -s gives us "kit."
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Look for common suffixes: Some words have derivational suffixes that change the meaning of the base word or turn it into another part of speech. Common derivational suffixes include -ful, -less, -ly, -er, and -est. In "ribbon," removing the suffix -on gives us the root word "rib."
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Check for vowel changes: Some words undergo changes in their vowels when adding certain endings. This is known as vowel gradation or ablaut. For example, in the past tense of regular verbs, the base vowel often changes (e.g., walk → walked). However, for third-grade students, focusing on common suffixes and inflectional endings is sufficient.
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Use context clues: Sometimes, understanding the meaning of a word in a sentence can help identify its root. For example, if a sentence mentions "tiny kittens playing," it's clear that "kitten" is related to "cat."
By following these steps, third-grade students can effectively find the roots of words like "ribbon," "kittens," and "path." This skill is essential for building vocabulary, understanding word relationships, and improving spelling.