What are Prefixes? Teach Your Students the Way of Words

Are you struggling with how to explain prefixes and suffixes to your elementary-level students? Let us help! 

A prefix is a word part that is placed in front of a root word. These word parts change the meaning of the root word to which they are attached. Common prefixes include pre, re, dis, and un. Take a look at the examples below

This teaching presentation is unique in that it can be used interactively while teaching. It features multiple opportunities to drag and drop and fill in answers and ideas. During direct instruction, project the slides in the present mode, then use the escape key on your keyboard to switch to edit mode for the interactive parts.

Through lessons with this presentation, students will be able to

• Match the terms associated with prefixes with their meanings.
• Add prefixes to high frequency and other studied words, increasing vocabulary.
• Create new words with common prefixes based on their meanings.
• Use prefixes to form words and use roots as clues to the meaning of new words.
• Assess and evaluate the correct use of prefixes in forming new words.
• Create new word patterns with words beginning and ending in common prefixes and frame sentences.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your Reading and Language Arts Lessons. 

In addition to classroom instruction, use this teaching presentation to enhance learning through remote learning assignments. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Help students who need help understanding the concepts by: 

• providing students with a prefixes anchor chart to reference during the interactive portions of the lesson.
• completing additional activities with prefixes prior to or after the main lesson.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

• Have students use their newfound knowledge to identify, define, and use words containing common prefixes and suffixes in their writing notebooks.

Plan lessons for all ability levels with our 10 Best Scaffolding Strategies! 

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to download the Google Slides Presentation.

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Don’t stop there! We’ve got more prefix and suffix worksheets, games, and resources in our library!

teaching resource Prefix Dominoes Identify new words that include common prefixes with 28 prefix and root word dominoes. teaching resource Using Words with Prefixes - Worksheet Pack Practice using the prefixes Un-, Re-, Mis-, Pre-, Dis-, and In- with a pair of printable prefix worksheets. teaching resource Playing with Prefixes Board Game Practice building and using words with common prefixes with a fun prefix board game.