Investigating Root Words, Prefixes , and Suffixes

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

2. 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.)

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

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

5. Root Words A root word is a base word. You can change the meaning of it by adding suffixes and/or prefixes.

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

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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!”

12. 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.

13. pre- before • Make a prediction about the story before you read it. • I love watching movie previews.

14. un- not • Sad songs make me feel unhappy. • The old sofa is very uncomfortable.

15. re- again, back • It’s important to review before a test. • Let’s watch a replay of the homerun!

16. non- not • We would like to sit in the non-smoking section. • Do you like to read nonfiction?

17. sub- under • A submarine travels under the water. • I ride the subway into the city.

18. 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!”

19. Suffixes Suffixes come at the end of a word. Sometimes a suffix will tell you what part of speech or tense a word is.

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

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

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

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

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

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