1. Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.
INTRODUCTION
&
LESSON ONE
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

2. You ask, “Is it a REAL word?” It is if enough people use it.
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
In the English language, big words are often made up of small word parts, called morphemes, that come from other languages – especially Greek.
When you know the meanings of these small word parts, you can unlock the meaning of some real jawbreakers.
For example, take the word
MICROARCHAEGYNOPHOBIAC
You have no idea what it means. But once you know the following, you can figure out the word.
MICRO- = small
So --
one who has a fear
of little old ladies
ARCHAE = ancient
GYN = woman
-PHOBIAC = one who has a fear of
You ask, “Is it a REAL word?” It is if enough people use it.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

3. This is a name with a definite meaning...
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
In the English language, big words are often made up of small word parts, called morphemes, that come from other languages – especially Greek.
When you know the meanings of these small word parts, you can unlock the meaning of some real jawbreakers.
Or, take the name
THEOPHILUS
This is a name with a definite meaning...
THEO = God
So --
full of love for God --- or
full of the love of God
PHIL = love
(O)US = full of
This is the name given to the person to whom the book of Acts is addressed.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

4. prefix- + root + -suffix
Greek Morphemes
Introduction
Some morphemes are “place bound” – that is, some are prefixes and always come at the beginning of a word (for example the morpheme “pre-”) and others are suffixes and always come at the end (for example the morpheme “-ology”). Still others, known as roots, can come anywhere in a word, and these can have prefixes and suffixes attached to them.
prefix- + root + -suffix
In each lesson, you’ll start by taking notes on some Greek roots, then add prefixes and suffixes.
Start by heading your paper properly, and for the name of this assignment write Greek Morphemes Lesson 1 Notes.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

5. man; mankind Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our first Greek root in Lesson One is the morpheme ANTHROP.
On page 2 of your student book, write the morpheme meanings.
Roots
1. anthrop =
man; mankind
Now think -- what word do you already know that has ANTHROP in it?
ANTHROPOLOGY or ANTHROPOLOGIST
Chances are you probably thought of the word
What does an anthropologist study?
Societies, civilizations, people, ...
So ANTHROP means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

6. book Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms: BIBL and BIBLIO.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio =
book
Now think -- what words do you already know that have BIBL or BIBLIO in them?
BIBLE and BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Chances are you probably thought of the words
What do these words have in common?
A book, a list of books ...
So BIBLIO and BIBLIO mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

7. write, draw, record Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root has two forms: GRAPH and GRAM.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio = book
graph, gram =
Now think -- what words do you already know with GRAPH or GRAM in them?
write, draw, record
GRAPHITE
BIOGRAPHY
GRAPH
TELEGRAPH
GRAMMAR
TELEGRAM
PROGRAM
What do these words have in common?
A drawing, lead in a pencil, a written record of a person’s life, language, a message, ...
So GRAPH and GRAM mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

8. hate Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is MISO.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio = book
graph, gram = write, draw, record
miso =
This one is not so obvious – but with a mental trick you can remember it.
hate
Just keep in mind that a MISer would HATE to part with his gold, and you’ll remember that MISO means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

9. love Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is PHIL.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio = book
graph, gram = write, draw, record
miso = hate
phil =
You know the name of a city – Philadelphia. The nickname of this city is “the city of
brotherly love.”
love
Did you think of the word PHILOSOPHY?
This word literally means “the love of wisdom.”
So – the “city of brotherly love” and the “love of wisdom.” PHIL must mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

10. sound Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek root is PHON.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio = book
graph, gram = write, draw, record
miso = hate
phil = love
phon =
How many words can you think of with PHON?
MEGAPHONE
TELEPHONE
PHONOGRAPH
STEREOPHONIC
PHONICS
MICROPHONE
sound
What do these words have in common?
The sounds of letters, a funnel device to make the voice sound louder, device that carries voice sound over a distance, an electronic device that amplifies sound, a device that plays music, sound coming from two directions, ...
So PHON mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

11. look at; examine Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our last Greek root in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms: SCOP and SKEPT.
Roots
anthrop = man or mankind
bibl, biblio = book
graph, gram = write, draw, record
miso = hate
phil = love
phon = sound
scop, skept =
Now think -- what words do you already know with SCOP or SKEPT in them?
MICROSCOPE
TELESCOPE
PERISCOPE
SKEPTIC
look at; examine
What do the first three words have in common?
If someone shows you something and you are skeptical of it, what do you do to it?
So SCOP and SKEPT mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

12. not; without Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of prefixes.
Notice that there is a dash after each prefix to remind you that this is where you add the root(s) – following the prefix.
The first Greek prefix in Lesson One is a morpheme that has two forms: A– and AN–.
7. scop, skept = look at; examine
Prefixes
8. a–, an– =
Now think -- what words do you already know that have the prefix A– or AN– at the front of them?
not; without
ANESTHETIC
ASEXUAL
ANEMIC
What do the three words have in common?
Not having enough red blood cells, something that makes pain go away, and cells that reproduce by dividing – there is no male or female
So A– and AN– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

13. bad; ill Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is CACO–.
7. scop, skept = look at; examine
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– =
Again, this one is not so obvious – but with a mental trick you can remember it.
bad; ill
Imagine that you drank some cocoa made with sour milk. It tasted BAD and it made you ILL.
CACO– (which sounds something like cocoa) means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

14. good Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is EU–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu– =
Perhaps you know the word EULOGY as name for the speech at a funeral where the speaker tells many good things about a person who passed away.
good
And perhaps you know that “passed away” is a EUPHEMISM for “died”?
EU– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

15. large Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is MACRO–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu– = good
macro– =
This one is easy to remember as an opposite.
The prefix MACRO– means the opposite of MICRO-, which you already know means “small.”
large
So MACRO– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

16. large Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix has two forms: MEGA– and MEGALO–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu– = good
macro– = large
mega–; megalo– =
Now think -- what words do you already know with MEGA– or MEGALO– in them?
MEGAVITAMIN
MEGALOMANIAC
MEGAPHONE
large
What do the three words have in common?
Something that enlarges the sound of a voice, a big dose of vitamins, and a person who has delusion of grandeur
So MEGA– and MEGALO– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

17. small Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix is MICRO–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu– = good
macro– = large
mega–; megalo– = large
micro– =
And you know
MICROSCOPE
MICROPHONE
MICROBE
small
You know that MICRO– means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

18. with; together Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our next Greek prefix has two forms: SYM– and SYN–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu-– = good
macro– = large
mega–; megalo– = large
micro– = small
sym–; syn– =
Now think -- what words do you already know with SYM– or SYN– in them?
SYMPATHY
SYMPHONY
SYMPTOM
SYNONYM
SYNCHRONIZE
“LIP SYNC”
with; together
In a symphony, how do the instruments play – one at a time?
No, they play WITH each other, they play TOGETHER How do the ideas of “with” or “together” work in the other words?
SYN– and SYM– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

19. far; distant Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Our last Greek prefix has two forms: TEL– and TELE–.
Prefixes
a–, an– = not; without
caco– = bad, ill
eu– = good
macro– = large
mega–; megalo– = large
micro– = small
sym–; syn– = with; together
tel–; tele– =
Now think -- what words do you already know with TEL– or TELE– in them?
TELEPHONE
TELESCOPE
TELEVISION
far; distant
Something that carries your voice over a distance, something that allows you to see far away, ...
TEL– and TELE– mean...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

20. makes n. or adj. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we are ready to take notes on a set of suffixes.
Notice there is a dash in front of each suffix to remind you that this is where you would add the root(s) – before the suffix.
The first Greek suffix in Lesson One is the morpheme –IC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic =
Many English words end in the letters –IC, and if they do they are either a noun or an adjective – they name or describe something.
makes n. or adj.
So –IC at the end of a word...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

21. a madness for Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix is the morpheme –MANIA.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania =
So what does it mean to have a “MANIA” for something?
Some people have a mania for collecting comic books, others a mania for cleanliness, and others a mania for chocolate.
a madness for
So –MANIA at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

22. one who has a madness for
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix is the morpheme –MANIAC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –maniac =
If “–mania” means “a madness for,” then a MANIAC would be...?
one who has a madness for
So –MANIAC at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

23. a fear of Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The next Greek suffix you already know is –PHOBIA.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia =
What does it mean to have a PHOBIA of something?
Some people have a phobia of spiders, some of snakes, still others of homework...
a fear of
So –PHOBIA at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

24. one who has a fear of Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
And since you know “phobia,” you also know –PHOBIAC.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac =
If “–phobia” means “a fear of,” then –PHOBIAC would be...?
one who has a fear of
So –PHOBIAC at the end of a word means...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

25. makes abstract noun Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
The last suffix – and last morpheme of this lesson is –Y.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac = one who has a fear of
21. –y =
Think of the many English words ending in –Y. A few are...
HONESTY
BEAUTY
BRAVERY
The suffix –Y indicates a specific grammar identification – it makes the name of something that is not tangible.
makes abstract noun
The suffix –Y at the end of a word makes...
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

26. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Notes
Part One: NOTES - Figuring out what you already know...
Now we have the set of Greek suffixes for Lesson One.
15. tel–; tele– = far; distant
Suffixes
16. –ic = makes n. or adj.
17. –mania = a madness for
18. –mania = one who has a madness for
19. –phobia = a fear of
20. –phobiac = one who has a fear of
21. –y = makes ab. n.
You now have all of the notes for Lesson One (of Twelve).
Lesson One is the longest because it is the foundation on which you will build in the coming other eleven Greek Morpheme lessons.
When you finish these lessons, your vocabulary and your ability both to figure out and to create words will be MUCH GREATER than when you began!
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

27. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
Now you are ready to use your knowledge to decode words.
In Lesson One you will find the following words to “work” – that is, to analyze their meanings by (1) identifying the Greek morphemes and meanings in each, (2) synthesizing that knowledge in a possible definition, and (3) comparing your synthesis to a dictionary definition.
Words to Work
anthropophobiac
philanthropy
misanthrope
bibliomaniac
euphonious
cacography
megaphone
microscope
9. macroscopic
10. telegraph
11. bibliophile
12. symphony
13. megalomaniac
14. skeptical
15. aphonic
16. bibliography
Words to Work
These words are on page 4, instructions are on page 5, and space to work your words is on pages 6 and 7.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

28. D.D. = “dictionary definition”
Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
How to “Work a Word”
Let’s begin the first assignment together. On page 6, start by writing the first word...
Then beneath it, one morpheme per line, identify the ones you find in the word.
Next, synthesize your knowledge...
Finally, compare your knowledge...
anthropophobiac
M.D. = “my definition”
anthrop = man; mankind
D.D. = “dictionary definition”
-phobiac = one who has a fear of
M.D. =
one who has a fear of mankind
one who has an intense fear of human society
D.D. =
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

29. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
“Working Words”
Your first assignment is to work the first 8 words on page 5 in the numbered spaces on page 6 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you can come with your knowledge to what the all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share how you worked your words.
DAY 1 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

30. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Words to Work
Part Two: WORDS TO WORK - Applying what you now know...
“Working Words” continued
Your second assignment is to work the last 8 words on page 5 in the numbered spaces on page 7 of your book.
For each word, compare and see how close you can come with your knowledge to what the all-knowing dictionary has to say...
Tomorrow, be prepared to share how you worked your words.
DAY 2 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

31. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
(page 8 in your book)
Sometimes when we read, we come across a word we’ve never seen before, and we could use a clue to figure it out.
There are four main types of clues that often help solve a “mystery word,” and as a writer you can use one of these clues to give your readers a hint for a challenging word:
1. Definition in context
The aphonic giraffe was incapable of making a vocal sound.
2. Synonym
The final letter e of the word was aphonic, soundless.
3. Antonym
The gorilla was loudly vocal; but the giraffe, aphonic.
4. Examples
In the words cake, hope, and file, the final letter e is aphonic.
DAY 3
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

32. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Context Clues
Part Three: CONTEXT CLUES - Hints for a Reader...
Step A: Select any 8 of the 16 words you worked and create a context clue sentence with each (on page 9 in your book).
Use at least one clue of each of the four types.
Your third assignment has two steps:
Tomorrow you’ll have the opportunity to read aloud your sentences, saying “blank” for the word you chose, and see if your instructor or another learner can use your clue to identify what word from the Lesson One list belongs in the blank.
Step B: Using the roots, prefixes, and suffixes from Lesson One, create and work two new words. In place of the DD, write a context clue sentence (CCS) for your new word (on page 9 in your book).
Tomorrow, you’ll have the opportunity to challenge your instructor or another learner with your created words.
DAY 3 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

33. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
Step A: Practice breaking apart the words on the first review sheet (page 10) by drawing braces and writing meanings above each work (see the first one for an example).
The fourth assignment for Lesson One is a three-step review.
Step B: Once you have determined morpheme meanings and a possible definition for each “word,” try matching the “funny definitions” on the second review sheet (page 11) with what you have on the first sheet.
Hopefully, you’ll get a laugh or two (or possibly a groan) as you figure them out.
Tomorrow, we’ll go over the sheets just before taking a quiz on Greek Morphemes Lesson One.
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work – through the level of My Definition.
DAY 4 HW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

34. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Step C: Make yourself a set of study cards (refer to page 12).
Part Four: REVIEW...
In the back of your book you will find twelve sheets of color paper – one for each lesson.
To make your study cards, tear out the page for Lesson One, cut it apart on the marked lines, and hole-punch each card in the upper corner as indicated.
LESSON ONE
Take a card and write your first morpheme on the front of it.
anthrop
Now turn that card over so the hole is at the bottom,
and write the meaning on the back.
man; mankind
Set that card aside, and do the same for each of the other morphemes.
Now place the card with “Lesson One” written on it on the top of your stack, hook them together with a band or ring, and begin reviewing. If you have a three-ring binder for English materials, hook your cards there for easy access.
DAY 4
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

35. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
Part Four: REVIEW...
Step C continued: When you finish making your set of cards, begin using them to review and check and improve your knowledge.
LESSON ONE
Start with the cards in your hand so that the LESSON ONE is showing.
anthrop
Flip over the title card and look at the first morpheme – anthrop.
man or mankind
Say silently to yourself the meaning of the morpheme anthrop.
man; mankind
Now flip the card over the check yourself against the answer on the back.
Now flip over that card and do the same with the next one – and the rest. Once you learn them Greek-to-English, trying reviewing them English-to-Greek.
DAY 4
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

36. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Pencil & Paper Review
In future lessons you will have the opportunity to make these study cards immediately after you take the notes.
LESSON ONE
LESSON TWO
LESSON THREE
LESSON FOUR
LESSON SEVEN
LESSON FIVE
LESSON EIGHT
LESSON SIX
LESSON NINE
LESSON TEN
LESSON ELEVEN
LESSON TWELVE
Thus you will have the cards as a study aid throughout the entire lesson.
Whenever you have a bit of extra time, pull out your cards and review.
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.

37. Greek Morphemes – Lesson One – Taking the Quiz
Part Five Coming Tomorrow: Demonstrating What You Know...
The quiz will have about 8 words for you to work through the MD level.
Unless you are told otherwise on a very few words, you do NOT need to memorize a dictionary definition.
Most of them will be “real words,” but there may be one or two of your “created words” as well.
There will be one “point” for identifying each morpheme in the words, and one point for synthesizing your knowledge into a definition.
REMEMBER -- If a word has two or more morphemes, and you remember one but not the other, make a PARTIAL DEFINITION for PARTIAL CREDIT.
1. microbibliophobia MD
micro– = small
Something to do with small books
biblio = book
–phobia =
+1 point
0 point
+ 2/3 point
equals +2 2/3 points out of 4
Back to Sample Lesson Plan
DAY 4 TEST PREVIEW
Greek Morpheme Lessons, Alene H. Harris, Ph.D. © 2009.