Use this Base Word Sorting activity to help students sort words based on their root words.
Use this Base Word Sorting activity to help students sort words based on their root words. Learners can extend the activity by placing the sorted words into sentences, or by breaking them down into their base word and prefix or suffix. This hands-on approach helps students recognize word structures and strengthens their vocabulary skills.
In addition, the activity encourages collaborative learning, as students can work in pairs or small groups to discuss their reasoning and compare word choices. Teachers can adapt the difficulty level by selecting simpler or more complex word sets, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities. The editable Google Slide version means you can adapt and change the words to suit the needs of your class.
Understanding Morphemic Word Families
Morphemic word families are central to this activity, as students explore how words are grouped by their shared roots. By identifying connections between base words and their related forms, learners gain insight into how prefixes and suffixes alter meaning.
For example, the base word play can lead to plays, played, and playing. Sorting these families encourages pattern recognition, supports spelling development, and builds confidence in decoding unfamiliar words.
Download and Build Morphemic Word Families Today!
Use the dropdown menu to download the editable Google Slide version or the printable PDF version and build morphemic word families today.
This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.
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