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Home > Reading Comprehension > Word Parts > (Harry Potter) Mot

Mot

MOT means MOVE

In J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, the spells use many word parts that reveal their meanings. It's not hard to figure out what a spell with "locomotor" involves.

Many of these words have both concrete and abstract meanings. This can be confusing. It can also demonstrate the relationship between concrete objects and abstract ideas, which is just a few steps short of understanding the concept of "symbolism" in literature and poetry. A "motor" can be an object that makes things move -- or it can be a word to describe motion ("fine motor skills"). "Remote" was originally an adjective, but now is used to describe the object from which we remotely control something.

I. FOR EACH WORD:

1. Write the word

2. Write what it means

3. Draw a picture to go with it

4. Answer the question about it.

word

meaning and example

what to draw

question to answer

(you may draw your answer, too)

locomote

to move about (animals locomote; trees don't)

someone locomoting

What are three ways to locomote?

motor

1. an object that makes things move (motor for a fan, motor for a car)
2. having to do with motion ("motor skills" are your abilities to move well, whether walking or writing)

a motor (doesn't have to be detailed!)

What are three things that have motors?

moving

1. Changing position
2. Causing a change in feeling (a "moving" story may "move" you to tears or laughter)

something moving

What are two things that were "moving" to you because they made you react with your feelings?

emotion

feeling (sadness, anger, fear, excitement, joy, laughter)

three faces with three different emotions on them

What are three ways people show emotions?

remote 

1. From a distance (a remote country is a far away country; a remote chance is a very small, far-away chance)
2. an object used to control something from a distance (TV remote)

Something being *controlled* remotely

How did the TV 'remote' get its name?

promote

to move forward or ahead (promote someone to a better job, promote an idea to people as being a good idea)

Someone or something being promoted

What are three ideas about school that you would like to promote?

demote 

To move to a lower position or rank (to demote someone in the army)

Someone or something being demoted

What are two reasons someone might get demoted from their job?

motive 

reason for doing something (for example, "his motive for taking Sign Language was so he could communicate with his Deaf cousin" or "her motive for taking his bookbag was because she thought he had taken hers")

What are two examples of good motives for doing something?

motivate 

To give someone a reason (motive) to do something (motivate you to do your work by promising good grades or ice cream, motivate a team by cheering them on)

SOmeone who is clearly motivated

What are two things that you are motivated to do, and what motivates you to do them? (These don't have to be school-related)

commotion 

noisy confusion; lots of things happening at once (there is often commotion in the cafeteria; or on the football field after a game)

an example of commotion

What are two places where you would NOT want commotion, and why? (a wedding, perhaps?)

Complete these sentences with the "mot" word that fits. Be sure to mix these sentences with words learned in previous lessons.

1. There was such a ______________________________ after the announcement that schools would close that nobody could hear the rest of the announcement.

2. We were told that if we worked well, in six months the boss would _________________________________ us to a higher paying job.

3. He could not hide his ___________________________ as his eyes filled with tears.

4. Cheetahs and antelopes can ___________________________ very quickly!

5. A bad test grade will _________________________ you from being the top in your class.

6. This movie is very ______________________, so bring a lot of tissues to cry into!

7. We all knew that he had been the one to send her flowers, but nobody could figure out his _______________________________ .

8. The coach knows how to ___________________________________ us to work hard in practice.

 

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