Let’s get real, teaching prefixes and suffixes can be a real struggle. But when done right, it’s a game-changer for your students’ reading and vocabulary skills! Research from the Science of Reading shows that teaching morphology (studying word parts) helps kids break down tricky words, improve spelling, and become confident readers. So, if you’re looking for a fun and effective way to teach affixes, check out the ideas below:
Why Morphology Matters (And Why Your Students Will Thank You)
The Science of Reading teaches us that strong readers develop through phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In early grades, phonics is the big focus, but by upper elementary, kids need to level up with morphological awareness—understanding prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Why? Because it helps them:
Crack the code on unfamiliar words
Grow their vocabulary without memorizing endless lists
Improve spelling by recognizing patterns
Boost comprehension by understanding word meanings in context
How to Teach Prefixes & Suffixes (Without Boring Your Students)
1. Directly Teach Common Prefixes & Suffixes (But Make It Fun!)
Instead of expecting students to “pick up” affixes on their own, explicitly teach them! Start with high-frequency prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-) and common suffixes (-ful, -less, -ment, -tion). Keep it hands-on:
Introduce the prefix “un-” (meaning not or opposite of).
Give examples like unhappy, unlock, unclear.
Let students brainstorm their own “un-” words and use them in funny sentences.
2. Use Multisensory Activities to Make It Stick
Kids learn best when they DO, not just see or hear. Try these interactive ideas:
Word Sorts: Mix up words with and without affixes—can they sort them correctly?
Affix Scavenger Hunt: Challenge students to find words with prefixes or suffixes in books or around the classroom.
Interactive Anchor Charts: Create a giant affix wall where students add new words they discover all year long.
3. Teach Affixes in Context (Not Just on Worksheets!)
Seeing prefixes and suffixes in actual reading makes a huge difference. Use high-interest texts with affixed words and break them down together.
Example: While reading about weather, stop at “precipitation” and discuss “pre-” (before) and “-tion” (act of).
Teach kids to slow down and decode words using their affix knowledge instead of skipping over them.
4. Let Students Play With Words
Instead of just memorizing, get students creating and manipulating words:
Prefix-Suffix Mix & Match: Write root words on one set of cards and affixes on another—how many real words can they make?
Word Ladders: Start with a root word and add affixes to build new words. Example: act → action → reaction → interactive.
Morphology Journals: Have students keep track of new words they learn, breaking them into root, prefix, and suffix.
5. Keep Reviewing So They Don’t Forget!
Repetition is key! Try:
Morning warm-ups with a daily affix word.
Games like Bingo, Jeopardy, or digital quizzes to reinforce learning.
Morphology writing challenges, where students must use at least three affixed words in a creative story.
In my opinion Collaboration Brings it ALL together!
We all know kids LOVE to talk...all the time...constantly. Actually, research says if we harness that love to talk and use it in playful collaborative learning experiences, something amazing happens. Instead of taking up to 400 exposures to teach a new concept, it only takes 10-20. Now that's a Win-Win. SO...I have created a Latin prefix/suffix resource that focuses on Collaborative learning and fun activities within the Science of Reading concepts. Check it out in my store:
