Illustration of a scientist powering a robot
Illustrations by James Yamasaki
Root Power,

The Secret Files of Dr. Maliver

Explore the Latin root mal in a graphic-novel-style story.

From the April 2023 Issue
Featured Skill: Vocabulary Acquisition,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.4, L.4, L.6
  • Grade 6
    RI.6.4, L.6.4, L.6.6
  • Grade 7
    RI.7.4, L.7.4, L.7.6
  • Grade 8
    RI.8.4 ,RI.8.6 L.8.4, L.8.6
TEKs standards
  • Grades 6, 7, 8
    2a, b, c

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Greek and Latin roots form the basis of many words in the English language. Knowing these roots empowers you to unlock the meanings of unfamiliar words. This story includes words with the Latin root mal, which means bad or evil.

Illustrations by James Yamasaki

The Secret Files of Dr. Maliver

DAY 1: Emotion chip seems to be working. Emotobot shows joy. Side effect is a smell so malodorous that anyone within 20 feet of Emotobot will vomit.

DAY 2: Stink fixed, but emotion chip is malfunctioning. Emotobot has become . . . malevolent.

“DESTROY! DESTROY! DESTROY!”    

DAY 3: Emotobot no longer wants to kill me. Instead, it just wants to malign me. More tests needed.

“I'm telling everyone what a failure you are!”

DAY 4: Have cured Emotobot of its malcontent by inviting it into my home. But . . . I may need to get a bigger couch.

“More popcorn, please.”

Root Challenge

Directions:

  1. Write down the meaning of each word in red. Use context clues or, if needed, a dictionary.
  2. Think of another word that contains the root mal. 
  3. Write a sentence using that  word and draw a picture that shows the word’s meaning. 

This article was originally published in the April 2023 issue.

Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
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