Teaching Prefixes and Suffixes

Here for FREE prefix worksheets? Click here for FREE worksheets on prefixes. Here to learn how to teach morphology? Keep reading.

Prefixes and suffixes are part of a larger branch of reading and language called morphology. Morphology is the study of the internal structure of words. This can mean analyzing the way a root and a prefix or suffix combine to form a word. 

This blog will break down why morphology is so important, when to start teaching it, and how to make learning fun and effective.

Why should we teach morphology? 

Teaching prefixes and suffixes can be a game changer when it comes to reading progress for a few reasons. 

1. Strengthen vocabulary. As students learn to use roots, prefixes, and suffixes accurately- they can start to access longer and longer words. Students can start to be able to chunk longer words into their prefixes, suffixes, and roots- which can make it easier to decode longer and unfamiliar words. Students can also start to recognize patterns when it comes to morphology. For example- 5th grade math students may not be familiar with the word “quadrant” at first- but if they have learned the prefix “quad,” they may have an easier time remembering that quadrants involve four sections.

2. Increase reading comprehension. Morphology is a bridge to comprehension. It helps students move from understanding words just based on their sounds, to understanding the meaning behind words. This can help them in so many aspects of literacy. Morphology can allow students to unlock more vocabulary words, which in turn can help them understand the context of more literature. As students get a greater proficiency with using prefixes, suffixes, and roots correctly- their spelling and grammar often improves. 

   
   

3. Improve spelling. While using a sound-symbol correspondence is important when learning to spell, learning prefixes and suffixes can enable students to spell longer and irregularly spelled words more accurately. For example, learning the suffixes tion and sion will help students remember how to spell words like subtraction and compassion.

Which morphemes should I teach first and when?

As soon as students have a strong understanding of the sound- symbol correspondence that characterizes English, we can start introducing the idea of morphemes.

Often one of the first times I introduce the concept of morphology is through simple suffixes: es, s, ing, and ed. Students will interact with words with these suffixes frequently, and they are used daily in conversation.

Some students may be able to learn multiple prefixes, suffixes, and roots at the same time. Other students may need instruction to go slower, and you may want to work one specific suffix at a time. The order you choose them may be based on the scope or curriculum you are following. If you don't have a set curriculum, or you have a flexible one, you may want to introduce the most common prefixes, suffixes, and roots first.

Are you looking for a free resource to teach the most common prefixes?

CLICK HERE FOR FREE PREFIX WORKSHEETS

Teaching Activities for prefixes and suffixes

When I work on morphology, I use the Orton Gillingham approach. One important principle of this approach is to be diagnostic and prescriptive. That means that the approach is best if it is individualized to that students, strengths and weaknesses. Even with individually planning each lesson, I usually use these steps in some way:

1. Students practice finding specific prefixes, suffixes, and roots in words. This can be as simple as underlining or boxing the prefix. You could also use sorts, where students sort the words according to their suffixes or prefixes. Or, make this super hands on by having students read a word, crumple it into a ball, and throw it into a bin with that suffix label. You could even play "4 corners," by saying a word and having students go to a corner of the room that has been labeled with that prefix or suffix. You can also use highlighters, or if students love using colored pencils- check this out: 

1. Students make meaningful connections with vocabulary, either through word study or as part of a text We don’t want students to be really excellent readers- but have no idea what they are reading about. I often have my students use the words we work on in sentences. I love to play “guess my word” where we give each other clues to the vocabulary words, and the other person has to guess the word we are talking about. You can also do vocabulary matching, or use this PSAT sentence frame: “what does the word ________ mean in the sentence….." You could also do more formalized vocabulary application, like fill in the blank and matching activities. 

   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   

2. Students build words with prefixes and suffixes. This can be done as part of a word work activity, or as part of spelling. It can get really fun when we get physical building materials involved.

   
   
   
   

4. Review, review, review. Once is NEVER enough. Students have to read, spell, and use morphemes many many times before being able to master them completely. This doesn’t mean you have to stay on just that ONE prefix or suffix, but just make sure to spiral in review when possible. This might mean including previously taught affixes in a word list, or if you see them in a novel you are reading- asking the student what prefix or suffix they notice, and have them share a little bit about what they think that word means. 

   
   

Movement ideas for active students

Many students with ADHD may have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. This can make traditional lessons challenging. I love using whole body movement activities for these students. These include:

1. Reading basketball- You can set up "baskets" using crates or trash cans. Students can read words with prefixes or suffixes, crumple up the paper, and then toss in it in a basket labeled with that same affix, or to make it more challenging- just labeled with the definition of the prefixes they are working with.

   
   

   

   
   

2. 4 corners-Have the four corners of your room labeled with different prefixes. Say a word, have your students go to the corner of the room with that word, and have them guess the meaning or spell the word.

   
   

3. Hop scotch- Label parts of the floor with different prefixes, bases, and suffixes in a word list you are using. Students can "hop" to the different word parts as they are decoding the word. Again- you make it challenging by using the meaning of the prefixes or suffixes- and have students hop to those meanings. Or, label the floor with definitions, and have students hop to the definition that matches a word on their list.

   
   

   

   
   
   
   

4. Scavenger hunts- Students can work in teams, and hide flash cards with words written on them in different parts of the room. Then they can take turn finding the words, reading them, and using them in sentences.

   
   

Short on time and money for materials?

No prep worksheets come in handy when you are short on prep time..

Take pictures of all worksheets filled out

On busy days, where you know you won’t have time for planning something in depth- try out my this free resource on the most common prefixes. 

I intentionally created these for teachers who need effective resources for morphology instruction, but who do not have enough time to make them themselves. In each of these you can find print and go worksheets that include:

• 3 sorts 

• 5 color the prefix pages 

• 1 decodable passage and questions 

• 1 fill in the blank 

• 1 vocabulary matching worksheet

• 2 word searches 

• 60 flash cards 

• 1 game board 

You can use these worksheets directly in lessons, as early finishing activities, homework, independent center activities, or print them out for a sub to use.

Click here for FREE prefix worksheets

Thanks for reading along! Please let me know if you are searching for additional morphology or reading intervention resources.

-Veronica