Build a Bigger Vocabulary with Prefix Bingo!

How can you build your students’ vocabulary on top of words they already know? With prefixes, of course!

Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word, changing it into another word. For example, your students know the word “happy.” Adding the prefix “un” to happy it changes the definition to the opposite. And your students just learned a brand new word! 

To play, students listen to the definition calling card and cover the prefix word that matches the definition if it appears on their BINGO board. 

Through this activity, your students will demonstrate the ability to decifer a word’s meaning using their knowledge of the most common prefixes and the root word. 

The prefixes students will apply in this activity are: un, re, dis, de, uni, mis, pre, up, bi, tri.

Adapt This Prefix Bingo Game

Use this resource as independent practice for fast finishers and full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, comprehension assessments and more. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Alternate Forms of BINGO – In addition to the traditional 5-in-a-row BINGO, have students cover the board game in other fun patterns to win the game, e.g. Full House, Four Corners, Letter X.
• Show Me – Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project a game board and work through each word by having your students write the word and draw a line between the prefix and the root word. When everyone has written down their answer, say, “Show Me.” Students will flip their boards, allowing you to see who needs extra support.
• Match Me If You Can – Shuffle and divide the definition cards equally among players in your guided reading group. Use a game board to provide a prefix word for students to decode. The student with the matching definition card picture lays it face-up before them. The first person to have all their cards face up wins.

Easily Prepare This Prefix Bingo Game for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. 

This resource was created by Kirstin Sowers, a teacher in Illinois and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

More Prefix Resources for Your Students

Click below to get your hands on more engaging prefix resources to use with your students.

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