Students have to be able to find the root in a word that has an affix, and they must also learn the meanings of common root words, prefixes, and suffixes. The lists of root words, prefixes, and suffixes are long, but learning this skill can be made fun with classroom and online games and activities.
Make copies of two charts that list common prefixes and suffixes, their meanings and examples. Display the charts in a prominent place in the classroom.
Define Root Words and Affixes
Tell students that a root, or base word, is a word that has a meaning of its own. Write these examples: write, do, and view.
Tell students that a prefix is a word part that is placed at the beginning of a word and has a meaning of its own. When a prefix is added to a root word it changes the meaning of the root word.
Write re-, un-, and pre- on the dry erase board and tell students these are prefixes that are often used. Ask students what they think the prefixes mean. Guide them to see that re- means to do again, un- means not, and pre- means before.
Write rewrite, undo, and preview, and ask students to say the words. Ask them how the addition of the prefixes changed the meaning of the words.
Write farm, cup, and able on the board.
Tell the class that a suffix is a word part that is added to the end of a word and has a meaning of its own. When a suffix is added to a root word it changes the meaning of the word.
Write -er, -ful, and -able .
Ask students to think what the suffixes mean. Guide them to say that -er means one who does something, -ful means something that is full, and able means able to do something.
Explain that the word affixes is sometimes used to speak of both prefixes and suffixes that are added to root words. Some words have a prefix, a root word, and a suffix.
Point to the chart of common prefixes. Ask for volunteers to read each prefix, its meaning, and example. Repeat the activity with the common suffix chart.
Word Identification Activities
Have students work in groups of three or four. Tell them to appoint a recorder and a reporter. Ask them to look in one of their textbooks (or in newspapers or magazines) for words with prefixes and suffixes.
Group members find the words and tell the recorder which words to write. The recorder should also draw a circle around the root word, draw one line under a prefix, and two lines under a suffix. When the groups have completed their lists, each reporter should share the results with the entire class, writing the words on the board and circling and underlining prefixes and suffixes.
Have students play the matching game online. Make up similar games for classroom practice.
Independent Practice on Root Words, Prefixes and Suffixes
Give each student several index cards. Show the students how to number themselves by calling "one," "two," "three," and starting over with "one." Direct all the ones to write a prefix on each of their cards. The twos should write a root word on theirs, and the threes should write a suffix on each of their cards. Collect the cards and put them in a plastic bag. Students can use the cards to practice adding prefixes and suffixes to root words to make new words.
Word Identification Assessment
Teacher observation of student performance in group and independent activities. Observation of progress in word identification during reading activities.
Being able to recognize the root word in a longer word having a prefix or suffix can help the reader decode the whole word. Capable readers not only identify the root word and its affixes, they also know the meanings of root words, prefixes, and suffixes. The lists of words and affixes are long, but a combination of direct instruction, games, and group activities will help students master the skill.
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