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PlayOwl

English · Grade 2

Prefixes, Suffixes and Word Meaning

Step 15 of the PlayOwl sequence: children learn common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) and suffixes (-ful, -less, -ly, -ness, -er, -est, -y), use them to read longer words and work out their meanings, learn the three spelling changes when adding suffixes (drop e, double the consonant, change y to i), and use a known base word to understand new words in the same family.

  • 4 lessons
  • About 90 minutes
  • Word parts check: 8 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, highlight a text, match pairs, sort into groups and arrange tiles
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What learners will discover

  • Read words with the prefixes un-, re-, pre-, dis- and mis-, and use the prefix to work out the word's meaning.
  • Read words with the suffixes -ful, -less, -ly, -ness, -er, -est and -y, and use the suffix to work out the word's meaning.
  • Spell words with suffixes using three changes: drop final e (baking), double the final consonant after a short vowel (hopping), change y to i (happier).
  • Use a known base word to work out the meaning of new words in the same word family (help, helpful, helpless, unhelpful).

Lessons

  1. Prefixes 4 steps2 practiceabout 22 min
  2. Suffixes 4 steps2 practiceabout 22 min
  3. Spelling changes 4 steps2 practiceabout 22 min
  4. Word families 5 steps2 practiceabout 24 min
  5. Word parts check 8 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Memory LanternsFlip glowing lanterns to find pairs that belong together.
  • Word WorkshopBuild the word for each picture, one sound at a time.
  • Sentence TheatreYour words direct the show: change a word and the stage changes too.

More 2nd grade reading

Guides for grown-ups