Investigating Root Words Prefixes and Suffixes with Sally

Investigating Root Words, Prefixes , and Suffixes with Sally Sleuth Kristin Roslonski EDCI 519 October 16, 2007 kroslons@gmu. edu

Why learn root words, prefixes, and suffixes? You can figure out the meanings of new words by learning about the three (3) word parts: roots –word bases prefixes – word beginnings suffixes – word endings Root words, prefixes, and suffixes are everywhere! (Click on the green arrow to continue. )

Let’s investigate! (Click on a sign to continue!) prefixes, and Why learn root words, suffixes? Root Words Prefixes Suffixes Investigation Trail

Root Words “Knowing root words can help you understand remember difficult words much better. Roots are everywhere! And not just under trees and plants! ; -) Let’s investigate!”

Root Words A root word is a base word. You can change the meaning of it by adding suffixes and/or prefixes. Root Word Definition Example am, amor love, liking amiable, amorous aud hear, listen audio, auditorium bio life biography, biology cycl wheel, circular bicycle geo earth geography, geology

am, amor love, liking My best friend is amiable. The mama penguin and her baby are amorous.

aud hear, listen The band played music in the auditorium. The audience clapped at the end of the performance.

bio life Biology is the study of life. Your biography is the story of your life.

cycl wheel, circular I want to ride my bicycle. It is important to recycle paper, plastic, and cans. Another name for a tornado is cyclone.

geo earth My favorite subject is geography. Geology is the study of the earth.

Prefixes “You can find prefixes at the beginning of many words. Even the word “prefix” has a prefix! Let’s investigate some of the places where you’ll find prefixes!”

Prefixes A prefix is a group of letters that comes before a root word. They can change or clarify the meaning of the root word. Prefix Definition Example pre- before preview un- not unhappy re- back, again reread, replay non- not nonsense sub- under submarine

prebefore Make a prediction about the story before you read it. I love watching movie previews.

unnot Sad songs make me feel unhappy. The old sofa is very uncomfortable.

reagain, back It’s important to review before a test. Let’s watch a replay of the homerun!

nonnot We would like to sit in the non-smoking section. Do you like to read nonfiction?

subunder A submarine travels under the water. I ride the subway into the city.

Suffixes “You can find suffixes at the end of many words. They come after prefixes and root words. Think of suffixes as the dessert of a word! Yummy! Let’s investigate!”

Suffixes come at the end of a word. Sometimes a suffix will tell you what part of speech or tense a word is. Suffix -s, -es Definition Example plural, more than one books, sandwiches -ed past tense (regular verbs) called, learned -less without careless, hopeless -er one who, a person who baker, teacher -ful full of hopeful, careful

-s, -es plural, more than one The girl has many dolls. How many sandwiches did you eat?

-ed past tense (regular verbs) Jose called his mom. We played soccer at recess.

-less without Alma spent all of her money. She was penniless. Don’t be careless with other people’s things.

-er a person who does something The baker bakes cakes. A teacher is someone who teaches.

-ful full of Thank you for the flowers. That was very thoughtful of you. A ballerina is a graceful dancer. Hopefully, there is gold at the end of the rainbow!

You did a super job investigating root words, prefixes, and suffixes!