Word Wizard: Exploring Prefixes and Suffixes

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Word Wizard

Exploring Prefixes and Suffixes

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson

• you will be able to identify and understand prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
• you can make new words using prefixes, suffixes and root words.

What do you already know about word parts like prefixes and suffixes?

Introduction to Word Parts

Prefixes and suffixes are word parts added to the beginning (prefix) or end (suffix) of a root word to create new words.

Unrecognisable

prefix = un

Root = recognise

suffix = able

Common Prefixes

Can you think of a word with any of these prefixes?

Can you think of a word with any of these prefixes?

Common Prefixes

'un-', 

're-', 

'dis-'

'mis-'

'pre-'

'im-'

'non-'

Can you think of a word with any of these prefixes?

Common suffixes

Can you think of words with any of these suffixes?

Can you think of words with any of these suffixes?

Common suffixes

Can you think of words with any of these suffixes?

Quiz

What: answer the questions on the following slides.

How: alone

How long: 2 minutes

Why: to check if you have understood the meanings.

Done: wait in silence.

What does the prefix 'anti-' mean?

1. before
2. between
3. within
4. against

What is the root word for 'bicycle'?

1. bi-
2. auto-
3. tri-
4. cycle

What is the prefix meaning 'beyond'?

1. pre-
2. inter-
3. sub-
4. hyper-

Root words

What are the root words of the following words?

1. Unbelievable

2. Misunderstanding

3. Unhappiness

4. Reconstruction

5. Disorganisation

Root words

What are the root words of the following words?

1. Unbelievable - Believe

2. Misunderstanding - understand

3. Unhappiness - happy

4. Reconstruction - construct

5. Disorganisation - organise

Building Words Game

What: write down as many words on the paper with the root word you have been given.

How: in groups of 4(ish)

How long: 1 minute

Why: to practise prefixes and suffixes and creating words.

Done: give your paper to the group next to you

Prefixes

Un

Non

Mis

Anti

Ir

Im

over

Suffixes

able

less

ness

ity

er

est

ful

ive

ing

Building Words Game

part two

What: see if you can add words that the previous group hasn't added.

How: in groups of 4(ish)

How long: 1 minute

Why: to practise prefixes and suffixes and creating words.

Done: hand the paper to the teacher.

Review and Recap

1. What do we use prefixes for?

2. What do we use suffixes for?

3. Why is it helpful to know these?

How can understanding prefixes and suffixes help you understand unfamiliar words?

Conclusion and Reflection

Understanding prefixes and suffixes will:

• help understand unfamiliar words
• help create a greater range of vocabulary
• help create context

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.