Project Immersion: Learn Word Origins

Grades 3-8: Learn The Word Origin

Objective Students will learn what the word origin of names of whales and dolphins mean and why they have them.

Materials None.

Time Frame 1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background See Basic Biology in the Background Information Section.
All species of creatures that exist have been assigned Latin names by the relevant scientific experts. These names avoid the confusions that result when speakers of different languages discuss the same species and when there may be two or more names for the same species. These names are often a mixture of descriptive and honorary. The first of the two words, the genus, is more general and is usually descriptive of some trait or evolutionary relationship. The second name, the species, can be either more physically descriptive or it can be the name of the person who described it or where it was first found.

Dive In! Where do animals get those strange names that scientists call them? Why do they have those names and what do the mean?

Process Using the provided list of Latin prefixes, suffixes and words, as well as the list of cetacean names, explain to students where they come from and why we have them.
Have students think of some words in their everyday vocabulary that may have the same roots or look similar. Put a list of the various word parts on the board and a few full names too.
Present students with a few new names and have them try to figure out where they come from and what they mean. Students should also make a few of their own Latin names and describe the species of whale or dolphin the just named.

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Objective	Students will learn what the word origin of names of whales and dolphins mean and why they have them.

Materials	None.

Time Frame	1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background	See Basic Biology in the Background Information Section. All species of creatures that exist have been assigned Latin names by the relevant scientific experts. These names avoid the confusions that result when speakers of different languages discuss the same species and when there may be two or more names for the same species. These names are often a mixture of descriptive and honorary. The first of the two words, the genus, is more general and is usually descriptive of some trait or evolutionary relationship. The second name, the species, can be either more physically descriptive or it can be the name of the person who described it or where it was first found.

Dive In!	Where do animals get those strange names that scientists call them? Why do they have those names and what do the mean?

Process	Using the provided list of Latin prefixes, suffixes and words, as well as the list of cetacean names, explain to students where they come from and why we have them. Have students think of some words in their everyday vocabulary that may have the same roots or look similar. Put a list of the various word parts on the board and a few full names too. Present students with a few new names and have them try to figure out where they come from and what they mean. Students should also make a few of their own Latin names and describe the species of whale or dolphin the just named.