Teaching students prefixes along with root words can help them expand their vocabulary and understand new words. Even-Moor prefix worksheets are easy-to-use for teachers and students. Students are given a series of engaging quiz questions to solve based on skill level. Download your free prefix worksheet from Vocabulary Fundamentals and learn 3 tips for helping your students learn to read and recognize prefixes.
There are three key steps teaching prefixes:
Spelling Rules
First, help your students understand how to spot prefixes. A prefix is a small word added to the beginning of a base word to make a new word.
| Prefix | + | Root Word | = | New Word |
- Base word spellings don’t change when you add a prefix.
- re+read = reread
- un+happy = unhappy
- Double letters can occur when adding prefixes to root words.
- Dis+satisfied = dissatisfied
- Mis+spell = misspell
- Watch out for prefix “lookalikes.” These words look like they have prefixes, but they do not.
- For example, real and uncle do not have prefixes in them.
| Prefix Lookalikes | |
| Real | Uncle |
| Reach | Dish |
| Pretty | Interest |
Anchor Charts
It is important to provide students with a visual reference when teaching prefixes. The easiest method is to create a prefix anchor chart for your classroom with common prefixes and their meanings. To save time, you may want to use some of the examples from prefix worksheets to create your charts.
Activities for Frequent Practice
Frequent practice using prefixes will improve students’ abilities to recognize and use prefixes correctly. A great way to provide that practice is through hands-on center activities. You can create your own games of concentration or memory with 3×5 cards or purchase one already made. Evan-Moor’s Phonics Games: Centers for up to 6 Players offers colorful hands-on activities that help students practice prefixes and other grade-appropriate language skills.
Get a colorful hands-on center on prefixes for grades 3–4 for only $1.99 from TeachersPayTeachers.
Free Prefix Worksheet
Suggested Resource: Prefix Worksheets and Hands-on Activities
Take It to Your Seat: Reading and Language Centers Grades 3–6
Take It to Your Seat: Language Centers Grades K–5
Vocabulary Fundamentals Grades 1–6
Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative for students. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.