3rd–5th Grade Objectives • Students will identify and define prefixes. • Students will use their understanding of prefixes to correctly decode words and identify their meanings. Materials Needed • Prefix Title Cards • Index cards • Prefix die template • Root-word die template • Word Meanings Game Mat • Marker • Tape or glue • Scissors • Paper 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 a word card 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.”) 4. Lead students in a guessing game using the words on the chart. Explain that you will think of a word and they can ask “yes” or “no” questions in order to discover the word. For example, a student might ask, “Does the word have a prefix that means before?”) With each question, students will be able to eliminate options and demonstrate their knowledge of word meanings at the same time. Challenge students to try to guess the word in five attempts or less! ©Lakeshore
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