English Language ArtsK-2
Word Building with Prefixes and Suffixes
By Carina M.
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.
Customize for your classroom
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.
English Language ArtsK-2
Word Building with Prefixes and Suffixes
By Carina M.
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.
Customize for your classroom
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.