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In an effort to improve students’ spelling in fifth grade, we are going to begin studying affixes (prefixes, roots, and suffixes) and use them to aid in spelling words correctly. We want students to focus on “word parts”, rather than “sounding out” words. At the beginning of each week, I will introduce about 5 prefixes and suffixes to students. We will discuss the meaning and examples of words with those affixes. Students will also receive a “spelling list” with words that contain that week’s affixes. Throughout the week, students will work with these prefixes, suffixes, and spelling words. Students will have a quiz at the end of the week on the meaning of affixes and the spelling of the words provided at the beginning of the week.
This unit of study will not only help with spelling, it will also help with reading comprehension, decoding, and vocabulary. According to EduNova, leading education experts, “Teaching prefixes and suffixes is an important part of building better readers. Whether in the early years or advancing through college, all students can learn prefixes and use that knowledge to become more proficient in language arts. Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are the essential building blocks of all words. Teaching prefixes and suffixes help students understand the meaning behind different vocabulary words and students that learn prefixes have the capabilities of breaking down unfamiliar words into segments that are easily understood, learning new words becomes simpler.
Prefixes, suffixes, and roots are one of the most essential strategies for unlocking the meaning of new words available to students. By understanding different prefixes and suffixes meanings, students often have the tools needed for decoding difficult words. Teaching prefixes and suffixes provide students with skills that will last them throughout their school years and beyond. Students should learn prefixes in order to demystify the process of spelling and reading.”
5th Grade standards that will be addressed with this unit:
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
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