In Lesson 14 of Chapter 4 from Vocabulary from Classical Roots Book 6, Grade 4 students explore the Latin and Greek roots spir (breath/alive), photo (light), and flam (fire) to build vocabulary. Students learn ten words including respiration, photosynthesis, flammable, and inflammation, practicing how root meanings unlock word definitions. Exercises reinforce skills through synonym matching, context clues, and a paragraph completion activity using the lesson vocabulary.
Section 1
The Root 'spir': Breath and Life
Let's breathe some life into your vocabulary with words from the Latin root 'spir,' which means 'breath' or 'alive.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| inspire | (v.) to motivate or give hope and courage |
| perspire | (v.) to sweat; to cool the body by giving off water through the pores |
| respiration | (n.) the act of breathing |
| spirited | (adj.) lively, excited, or full of inner drive |
Section 2
The Root 'photo': All About Light
Let's shine a light on these words that all come from the Greek root 'photo,' meaning 'light.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| photogenic | (adj.) looking attractive in photographs |
| photosynthesis | (n.) the process by which plants use sunlight to make food |
| telephoto | (adj.) relating to a lens that takes close-up pictures of distant objects |
Section 3
The Root 'flam': Feeling the Heat
Things are heating up with our next set of words, all related to the Latin root 'flam,' which means 'fire.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| flamingo | (n.) a bird with a long neck, long legs, and pink or red feathers |
| flammable | (adj.) able to catch fire easily |
| inflammation | (n.) a condition of soreness, swelling, or irritation |
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Section 1
The Root 'spir': Breath and Life
Let's breathe some life into your vocabulary with words from the Latin root 'spir,' which means 'breath' or 'alive.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| inspire | (v.) to motivate or give hope and courage |
| perspire | (v.) to sweat; to cool the body by giving off water through the pores |
| respiration | (n.) the act of breathing |
| spirited | (adj.) lively, excited, or full of inner drive |
Section 2
The Root 'photo': All About Light
Let's shine a light on these words that all come from the Greek root 'photo,' meaning 'light.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| photogenic | (adj.) looking attractive in photographs |
| photosynthesis | (n.) the process by which plants use sunlight to make food |
| telephoto | (adj.) relating to a lens that takes close-up pictures of distant objects |
Section 3
The Root 'flam': Feeling the Heat
Things are heating up with our next set of words, all related to the Latin root 'flam,' which means 'fire.'
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| flamingo | (n.) a bird with a long neck, long legs, and pink or red feathers |
| flammable | (adj.) able to catch fire easily |
| inflammation | (n.) a condition of soreness, swelling, or irritation |
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter