3rd–5th GradeObjectives

• Identifying and knowing the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes

• Determining the meaning of the new word formed when a known affix is added to a known word

• Using common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word

Materials Needed• Prefix title cards• Index cards• Prefix die template• Root-word die template• Word meanings game mat• Marker• Tape or glue• Scissors• Paper• Pocket chart or whiteboard

Introduction

Print and cut apart the prefix title cards . Hold up the cards one at a time for students to read. Tell students the meaning of each prefix:

bi- = two

im- = not

un- = not

mis- = wrong

pre- = before

re- = again

Explain that knowing the meaning of the prefix can help them determine the meanings of words that have the prefix.

Procedure

1. Place the title cards in the top row of a pocket chart or tape them across the top of a whiteboard.

2. Using a separate index card for each word, write down two words for each prefix. For example: binoculars, bilingual, immature, impossible, unfair, untrue, misplace, misjudge, predict, prepay, recount and replace. (Ask older students to help you think of words.)

3. Invite one volunteer at a time to take one of these newly made word cards and place it beneath the corresponding prefix card. As students sort the cards, be sure to reinforce the meaning of each prefix and word. (For example: “Re- means again, so the word recount means to count again.”) Provide a sample sentence so students understand how the word is used. (“Mary wasn’t sure she had given the customer the correct change, so she decided to recount it.”)

©Lakeshore www.lakeshorelearning.com

4.Leadstudentsinaguessinggameusingthewordsonthechart.Explainthatyouwillthinkofawordandtheycanask“yes”or“no”questionsinordertodiscovertheword.Forexample,astudentmightask,“Doesthewordhaveaprefixthatmeansbefore?”Witheachquestion,studentswillbeabletoeliminateoptionsanddemonstratetheirknowledgeofwordmeaningsatthesametime.Challengestudentstotrytoguessthewordinfiveattemptsorless!

5.Afterplayingthegameafewtimes,inviteavolunteertochooseawordandanswertheotherstudents’questions.(Variation:Extendtheactivitybypairingstudentstogetherandchallengingthemtoplaythegamewiththeirpartners.)

Independent Practice

1. Giveeachstudentacopyoftheprefixdietemplateandroot-worddietemplate.Havestudentscutoutandassemblethediceusingglueortape.

2.Provideeachstudentwithacopyofthewordmeaningsgamematandasheetofpaper.

3.Tellstudentstoreadeachdefinitiononthegamemat.

4.Havestudentsrollbothdiceatonce.Iftheycanusetheprefixandrootwordtheyrolltobuildthewordforoneofthedefinitionsonthemat,tellstudentstowritedownthewordanditsdefinitiononthesheetofpaper.

5.Challengestudentstorollthediceuntiltheyhavecreatedalleightwordsforthedefinitionsontheirmats!

6.Havestudentschecktheirworkbycomparingtheiranswerstoapartner’sanswers.

Answers:1.twowheels:bicycle2.toplayagain:replay3.toheatbefore:preheat4.notthesameinvalue:unequal5.notpatient:impatient6.toheatagain:reheat7.toputthroughacycleagain:recycle8.togivewronginformation:misinform

©Lakeshore www.lakeshorelearning.com

un-

im-

re-

pre-

mis-

bi-

un- im-

pre-

mis-

bi-

re-

cycle inform

heat

equal

patient

play

Root-Word Die Template

1. two wheels: _______________

2. to play again:_______________

3. to heat before:_______________

5. not patient: _______________

7. to put through a cycle again:_______________

6. to heat again:_______________

8. to give wrong information:_______________

4. not the same in value:_______________

Name: ______________________________