Problem of the Week

Problem of the Week • Context Clues • When you run into a new word while reading, you have to look around for clues to help you. These special hints are called context clues. You can usually find them in the words or sentences surrounding the unfamiliar word. • Examples: • The woman came in for a manicure because she waned to get her fingernails cut and polished. (What does the word manicure mean in this sentence?) • Kevin was the most gallant boy she had ever met. What he had just done was amazingly brave. (What does the word gallant mean in this sentence?)

Problem of the Week • Task: Find two unfamiliar words in your reading this week. Look for context clues and record the word, definition and clues in the table below.

Problem of the Week # 1 • Roots & Affixes • A root is a base word that another word is made from. An affix is a group of letters that is added before or after a root to change its meaning. Some words are combinations of root words alone, while others are a combination of a root together with an affix. To figure out the meaning of a word, combine either the meaning of its roots or its root words with its affix. • Example • Auto-means “self” therefore automobile means self-moving. • Dict-means “say or speak” therefore predict means to say what is going to happen.

Problem of the Week # 1 • Directions: Give the meaning and two examples for the following roots.

Problem of the Week # 2 • Prefixes • An affix are letters added before or after a root. A prefix is added to the beginning of a root ward. A prefix changes a word’s meaning. Here are some common prefixes and their meanings. • Examples: • Co-means “together, with” as in cooperate. • Inter-means “between” as in interstate.

Problem of the Week # 2 • Directions: Give the meaning and two examples for the following prefixes.

Problem of the Week # 3 • Suffixes • An affix are letters added before or after a root word. A suffix is added to the end of a root word to form a new word. A suffix changes what a word means. • Examples: • -al-means “relating to, process” as in the word gradual. • -age-means “ act of, state of, collection of” as in the word package.

Problem of the Week # 3 • Directions: Give the meaning and two examples of the following suffixes.

Problem of the Week # 4 • Homonyms and Homographs (Multiple-Meaning Words) • Homonyms are words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have a different meaning. • Examples: • Bare (adj) • Bear (noun) • Homographs are multiple-meaning words that have the same spelling, but may be pronounced differently • Examples • address (noun) • address (verb)

Problem of the Week # 4 • Directions: Find two sets of homonyms and two sets of homographs (mmw) and give the part of speech and use each word in a sentence which shows its meaning.

Problem of the Week # 5 • Synonyms • Synonyms are words that mean almost the exact same thing. Sometimes your clue to what a new word means will come in the form of a synonym. • Examples • -little, tiny, small • -silly, ridiculous, crazy

Problem of the Week # 5 • Directions: Write as many synonym pairs as possible. You must write at least 20.

Problem of the Week # 6 • Antonyms • Antonyms are words that mean just the opposite of one another. • Examples: • ugly, beautiful • difficult, easy • happy, sad

Problem of the Week # 6 • Task: Find and write as many antonym pairs as possible (find at least 20 pairs) and write them below:

Problem of the Week # 7 • Analogies • An analogy is a comparison of two sets of ideas. Both sets of ideas will have the same relationship. Analogies often includes the words “is to” and “as” and the following format: _____ is to _____ as _____ is to _____ ____ : _____ :: _____ : _____ • Examples: • Loud is to quiet as rainy is to sunny • Loud : quiet :: rainy : sunny

Problem of the Week # 7 • Directions: Using the chart below, write one of each of the common types of analogies.

Problem of the Week # 8 • Idiom • Idioms are a group of words, or a phrase, that has a meaning that is something other than what the individual words mean. • Examples: • Math is a piece of cake! • Social Studies is as easy as pie. • A picture paints a thousand words.

Problem of the Week # 8 • Task: Find as many American idioms as possible and write them below. (cite your sources)

Problem of the Week # 9 • Alliteration • Alliteration is the repetition of beginning sounds of words for effect. • Examples: • The pesky pelican pecked at purple rocks. • Allie alligator always loved to annoy others. • The lazy lion laughed at Larry llama.

Problem of the Week # 9 • Task: Write down as many alliterations as you can. Underline the beginning sounds that are similar.

Problem of the Week # 10 • Simile • Simile is the comparison of two unlike things using the words like or as. • Examples: • The dog is as fluffy as a cloud. • Fred eats like a pig. • The car is like a pile of junk. • Michael Jordan is as tall as a giraffe.

Problem of the Week # 10 • Task: Write as many similes as possible, circle the two things being compared and underline the words like or as (at least 5):

Problem of the Week # 11 • Metaphor • A metaphor is a way to compare two unlike things directly usually using the verb is. (are, is). • Examples • My room is a black hole • The car is a pile of junk. • Life is a roller coaster.

Problem of the Week # 11 • Task: Write as many metaphors as possible and underline the two things that are being directly compared (at least 5):

Problem of the Week # 12 • Personification • Personification is when writers give animals and objects human qualities. • Examples: • The cursor skipped across the computer screen. • The empty page stared at me. • The peacock strolled through the park.

Problem of the Week # 12 • Task: Write a short story or poem that includes personification.

Problem of the Week # 13 • Onomatopoeia • Onomatopoeia refers to words that create both a sound and a meaning. • Examples: • Crunch • Click • Growl • Hiss

Problem of the Week # 13 • Task: Write as many onomatopoeia words as possible (at least 10).

Problem of the Week # 14 • Rhyme Scheme • Rhyme Scheme is rhymed words at the end of lines. • Examples • Roses are red --We had such fun. Violets are blue The park was a blast. Sugar is sweet We went for a run. And so are you Yes, we ran very fast.

Problem of the Week # 14 • Task: Write or find a poem that includes rhyme scheme and then underline the rhyming.

Problem of the Week # 15 • Oxymoron • An oxymoron is putting two contradictory words together. • Examples: • Jumbo shrimp • Good grief • Alone together • Silent scream

Problem of the Week # 15 • Task: Write as many oxymoron as possible.

Problem of the Week # 16 • Anagram • An anagram is a words or phrase made by transposing the letters. • Examples • Cask = sack • Weird = wired • Elvis = lives • Listen = silent • Clint Eastwood = Old West Action

Problem of the Week # 16 • Task: Write as many anagrams as possible.

Problem of the Week # 17 • Palindrome • A palindrome is a word or phrase that is spelled the same backward and forward. • Examples: • Bob • Dennis sinned • Solos • Flee elf

Problem of the Week # 17 • Task: Write as many palindromes as you can.

Problem of the Week