Lesson 7: Prefixes & Suffixes - Building Word Parts
π― Learning Objectives
- Students understand that words have parts (root, prefix, suffix)
- Students can identify common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-) and their meanings
- Students can identify common suffixes (-ing, -ed, -er, -est) and their functions
- Students can build words by adding prefixes and suffixes to root words
- Students use morphological knowledge to decode unfamiliar words
Success Criteria (Δkonga-facing)
- I can identify the prefix and suffix in a word.
- I can build new words by adding word parts.
- I can use word parts to help decode meaning.
Kupu / Vocabulary
- prefix β word part at the start
- suffix β word part at the end
- root word β base word
- morphology β study of word parts
- meaning β what a word means
- decode β work out a word
π₯ Media Anchor (8 mins)
Video: Structured Literacy and Phonics Foundations
- Which decoding or fluency move from the video will you practice first in today's lesson?
- How does that strategy support confidence and success for all readers in our class?
π¦ Materials Needed
Teacher Materials:
- Prefix and suffix cards (un-, re-, pre-, -ing, -ed, -er, -est)
- Root word cards (play, help, kind, jump)
- Word building mats
- Whiteboard and markers
- Morphology chart poster
Student Materials:
- Individual prefix/suffix cards
- Root word cards
- Word building worksheets
- Pencils and erasers
- Small whiteboards and markers
1. Warm-Up: Word Detective (7 mins)
Purpose: Introduce the concept that words can be broken into meaningful parts.
Teacher Script: "Today we're going to be word detectives! We'll discover that many words are like puzzles - they have different pieces that fit together."
Discovery Activity:
Write these words on the board and ask students what they notice:
- play β playing β played β player
- help β helping β helped β helper
- kind β unkind β kinder β kindest
Key Discovery: "The root word stays the same, but we can add parts to the beginning (prefixes) or end (suffixes) to change the meaning!"
2. Teaching Common Prefixes (12 mins)
Systematic Introduction: Introduce prefixes one at a time with clear meaning and examples.
un- prefix:
- Meaning: "not" or "opposite"
- Examples: unhappy, unkind, unlock
- Memory: "Un- means NOT!"
re- prefix:
- Meaning: "again" or "back"
- Examples: replay, reread, return
- Memory: "Re- means AGAIN!"
pre- prefix:
- Meaning: "before"
- Examples: preview, preheat, preschool
- Memory: "Pre- means BEFORE!"
Teaching Process for Each Prefix:
- Show the prefix card and teach the meaning
- Demonstrate with a familiar root word
- Have students suggest other words with this prefix
- Practice identifying the prefix in different words
- Connect meaning to understanding the whole word
3. Teaching Common Suffixes (12 mins)
Systematic Introduction: Introduce suffixes and their functions in changing word meaning or form.
-ing suffix:
- Function: Shows action happening now
- Examples: running, jumping, reading
- Memory: "Doing it now!"
-ed suffix:
- Function: Shows action in the past
- Examples: jumped, played, helped
- Memory: "Already done!"
-er suffix:
- Function: "One who does" or "more"
- Examples: teacher, player, faster
- Memory: "Person who does it!"
-est suffix:
- Function: "Most" (superlative)
- Examples: fastest, kindest, biggest
- Memory: "The most!"
Key Teaching Point: Suffixes can change what kind of word it is (verb β noun) or add meaning (fast β faster β fastest).
4. Word Building Practice (10 mins)
Hands-On Activity: Students build words using root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
Word Building Challenges:
Root Words to Use:
- play, help, kind, fast
- jump, read, clean, happy
Building Tasks:
- Make a word meaning "not happy"
- Make a word meaning "one who helps"
- Make a word meaning "most fast"
- Make a word meaning "read again"
Differentiation: Advanced students can try building longer words with multiple prefixes/suffixes (e.g., unhelpful, replaying).
5. Independent Practice & Exit Ticket (4 mins)
Exit Ticket Task
"Break these words into parts and write what each part means: unhappy, playing, teacher"
Success Criteria:
- Emerging: Identifies some prefixes and suffixes correctly
- Developing: Correctly identifies most parts and explains some meanings
- Secure: Accurately identifies all parts and explains their meanings clearly
Celebration: "You're becoming word builders! Tomorrow we'll practice using these skills to read and spell more complex words."
π Assessment & Differentiation
Formative Assessment:
- Observe prefix and suffix identification
- Check understanding of morpheme meanings
- Monitor word building accuracy
- Assess application to new words
Support Strategies:
- Struggling: Focus on one prefix/suffix at a time, use visual aids
- Confident: Introduce more complex affixes (dis-, -ful, -ness)
- ELL Support: Connect to word parts in home language
Next Lesson Preview: We'll practice applying morphology skills to longer, more complex words and improve our spelling strategies.
Curriculum alignment
- Reading β Making Meaning: Students will select and use sources of information, processes, and strategies to identify, form, and express ideas across a range of texts.
- Writing β Creating Meaning: Students will select and use sources of information, processes, and strategies to write in a range of text types for a variety of purposes and audiences.