Using Prefixes and Suffixes
The strategy of teaching prefixes, suffixes and how they relate to root words helps older students with decoding difficulties.
Instructions:
1. Give the students a list to access that will have prefixes and another list of suffixes. The lists will have the prefix or suffix, it’s meaning and a sample word using it. These lists will be a resource for the students until they are comfortable with knowing them by memory.
2. Do not teach both at once. Begin with prefixes. Explain that prefixes attached to root words change the meaning and often the use of the word. Review with the student what is meant by “ root words”.
3. As a class review examples with the students. Have them refer back to their prefix sheet for meaning and then read the word. The students could then discuss in teams or pairs what they thought the word now meant and share out with the whole class.
4. Then have the teams or pairs of students use the word in a written sentence. The teacher could collect the sample sentences, make a sheet of them and have the students reread them for part of Set-up the following day.
5. The same process would take place for suffixes.
6. Also explain that many words will have both prefixes and suffixes. Show examples.
Samples:
Some websites that will help you with ideas and lists of prefixes and suffixes are:
www.havefunteaching.com - This is a website with easy worksheets (especially for students in Grades 2 and 3).
http://www.virtualsalt.com/roots.htm - This will give you a list of prefixes.
http://grammar.about.com/od/words/a/comsuffixes.htm - This will give you a list of suffixes.
