Lesson 43: Learn prefixes and suffixes

📖 READING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Word Power and Vocabulary

← Back to Level 2

Objective

Learn how common prefixes and suffixes change word meanings so you can understand and read new words with more confidence.

Materials

Mini-lesson — What are prefixes and suffixes?

Some words have a base word in the middle and small word parts on the front or on the end. These parts change the meaning.

A prefix is added to the front of a base word:

  • un- + happy = unhappy (not happy)
  • re- + read = reread (read again)

A suffix is added to the end of a base word:

  • help + -ful = helpful (full of help)
  • care + -less = careless (without care)

When you meet a long word, you can:

  1. Find the base word.
  2. Look at the prefix or suffix.
  3. Use both parts to figure out the meaning.

For example, the word kindness has the base word kind and the suffix -ness. It means “the state of being kind.”

Today you will practice reading words with prefixes and suffixes and thinking about what they mean in short sentences.

Picture: A base word with pieces added to the front and end.

Guided Practice — Prefix and suffix mini-book

How to use this mini-book:

  1. On each page, circle the base word.
  2. Underline the prefix or suffix.
  3. Ask, “What does this new word mean?” and say it in your own words.

After reading, choose two words from the mini-book and draw a quick picture that shows their meanings.

Word parts for this lesson
un- re- mis- -ful -less -ing happy kind help read

Mini-Book: Helpful or careless?

1

Ben is helpful.

Ben is helpful. He picks up books and holds the door with a big smile.

2

Tom is careless.

Tom is careless. He drops his bag and leaves his snack on the floor.

3

We reread the rules.

The class will reread the rules. They read them once, then read them again.

4

Unkind or kind?

When you are unkind, words can hurt. When you are kind, faces turn happy.

Reading Practice — Prefix or suffix?

For each question, choose the best answer. Look at the beginning and end of each word.

1) In the word unhappy, what is un-?
2) In the word helpful, what is -ful?
3) In the word reread, what is the base word?
4) What does the word careless most nearly mean?
5) What does the word reread most nearly mean?

Quick Check (10 questions)

1) What is a prefix?

2) What is a suffix?

3) In the word unhappy, what is the base word?

4) In the word kindness, what does the suffix -ness tell you?

5) Which word most likely means “full of joy”?

6) Which word shows the idea “without fear”?

7) What might the word misread mean?

8) In the word playing, what is the suffix?

9) Why is it helpful to know prefixes and suffixes?

10) When you see a long word, what should you try first?

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

I will practice…

← Lesson 42 Lesson 44 →