Activity:
Build Vocabulary with Prefixes and Suffixes
Learning prefixes and suffixes is a great way to boost vocabulary quickly. However, these letter combos are best learned in the context of the words that they create. Here's a game to get your child thinking about these beginnings and endings—in between plenty of shouting and laughing!
Click to find similar content by grade or subject.
What You Need:
- Index cards
- Markers
- Dictionary
What You Do:
- Go over these lists of prefixes and suffixes with your child:
|
Common Prefixes |
||
|
Prefix |
Meaning |
Example |
|
pre- |
before |
preview |
|
un- |
not |
unbelievable |
|
dis- |
not |
disagree |
|
re- |
again |
rewrite |
|
mis- |
not |
misunderstood |
|
im- |
not |
impossible |
|
bi- |
two |
bicycle |
|
de- |
not |
deregulated |
|
Common Suffixes |
||
|
Suffix |
Meaning |
Example |
|
-er |
doer |
teacher |
|
-able |
able to |
unbelievable |
|
-ous |
full of |
dangerous |
|
-ness |
state of being |
happiness |
|
-ful |
full of |
wonderful |
|
-ly or -y |
like |
gently |
|
-ment |
state of |
government |
- Ask your child to take the stack of index cards and label each card with a prefix or suffix from the list above.
- Shuffle all the cards and turn them face down in one pile. As the dealer, it's your job to flip over the top card and lay it face up. The first player who can shout out a word that uses the prefix or suffix correctly, and can provide the definition of the prefix or suffix, gets to keep that card for his pile. You may want to keep a dictionary handy, just in case some funny words come tumbling out. The person with the most cards at the end of the game wins!
For even more practice with prefixes and suffixes check out our word smash worksheet!
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worksheet
Prefixes: Negative Nancy
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workbook
Prefixes and Suffixes
-
game
Play
Prefix and Suffix Fish
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lesson plan
Super Suffixes
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activity
Make a Prefix-Suffix Flip Book
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