Word Building with Prefixes and Suffixes
A short practice set for 2nd graders that builds words by adding the prefixes un- and dis- and the suffixes -s, -es, and -ing to familiar base words like happy, play, and box. Students finish with a word-building table and then write sentences using three of their new words, making it a good fit for a 20-30 minute independent or small-group block.
“Create an activity where students practice words with the prefix un- and dis-, and the suffix -s, -es, and -ing.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the terms prefix (added to the front) and suffix (added to the end) with a quick whiteboard demo, such as turning "play" into "playing," before students work through the table.
- Discussion question: How did adding un- to "happy" change its meaning, and why does "boxes" need -es instead of just -s?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a word bank of the completed forms, or work through the first two rows together aloud, and let students use letter tiles to physically attach each affix.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to find a base word that could take both un- or dis- and a suffix, such as "trust" to "distrusting," and explain what the combined word means.
- Estimated time: About 20-30 minutes, including the sentence-writing section at the end.
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Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free“Create an activity where students practice words with the prefix un- and dis-, and the suffix -s, -es, and -ing.”
Teacher Guide & Tips
- Introduce the terms prefix (added to the front) and suffix (added to the end) with a quick whiteboard demo, such as turning "play" into "playing," before students work through the table.
- Discussion question: How did adding un- to "happy" change its meaning, and why does "boxes" need -es instead of just -s?
- Scaffold for struggling readers: Provide a word bank of the completed forms, or work through the first two rows together aloud, and let students use letter tiles to physically attach each affix.
- Extension for advanced students: Ask them to find a base word that could take both un- or dis- and a suffix, such as "trust" to "distrusting," and explain what the combined word means.
- Estimated time: About 20-30 minutes, including the sentence-writing section at the end.
Word Building with Prefixes and Suffixes
A short practice set for 2nd graders that builds words by adding the prefixes un- and dis- and the suffixes -s, -es, and -ing to familiar base words like happy, play, and box. Students finish with a word-building table and then write sentences using three of their new words, making it a good fit for a 20-30 minute independent or small-group block.
What is Diffit?
Teachers use Diffit to get quality materials for their unique classrooms. Adjust difficulty, add scaffolds, or change the topic to get started.
Try Diffit for free