Using Padlet to Teach Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes
In order to introduce certain root words to my honors language arts classes, I created Padlet boards and Quizlet sets. Students (in pairs) were instructed to go to the root word Padlet page at the beginning of class. On this page I posted directions, roots with their definitions, and a link to the next activity (a Padlet page on prefixes). The task was for pairs to try to come up with a set number of English words that stem from each root. Padlet made this task easier than it would have been with pencil/paper because students could see each other's posts. While I was nervous that students would simply copy each other, this was not the case. Often when students were stuck, they would look at other pairs' lists and this would either spark a new idea or encourage students to post more words in the spirit of competition. When students posted the assigned amount of words, they moved on to the prefix Padlet page. On this page students posted words that started with each prefix. Then, they clicked the link and landed on the final Padlet page- the suffix page. After posting their assigned number of words containing each suffix, students were allowed to go on Quizlet to practice these roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Students spent time on each Quizlet page and played a variety of the vocabulary games. Whenever they got bored of one Quizlet, they simply exited out of that page and had the Padlet board with the other Quizlet links waiting for them.