5 Common Latin Roots | Reader’s Theater Script | Word Origins

This Word Origins Readers Theater Script explores 5 Common Latin Roots and where they came from. Students read an interactive narrative instead of reading a dry textbook or passively listen to a video or lecture. This activity will help develop listening and speaking skills as students practice expressive voice acting.

Script Summary:

This script takes us on a journey through the origins of five common Latin roots and shows how they have evolved into modern English words. In Act 1, we learn about the root dicere (to say/speak) and see how it appears in words like “dictionary” and “verdict.” Act 2 explores scribere (to write), revealing its influence on words such as “describe” and “manuscript.” Act 3 focuses on portare (to carry), discussing terms like “portable” and “transport.” Act 4 examines videre (to see) and its legacy in words like “video” and “visual.” Finally, Act 5 delves into bonus (good) and shows how it evolved into words such as “bonus” and “benevolent.” The script also touches on how digital communication has introduced new abbreviations and usage patterns that keep these roots alive today.

Try a few similar, FREE, scripts first to see these will meet your needs.

The resources consists of an editable DOCX file (12 pages) which contains:

1) Teacher Tips & Answer Key

• CCSS Alignment
• Teacher Tips for use as both RT and Play/Skit
• Answer Keys for Worksheet
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~6 Characters, 1700 words

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Comprehension Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~20 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~25 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.