The document discusses strategies for enhancing student vocabulary through the teaching of prefixes, suffixes, and root words. It emphasizes the effectiveness of compound words and provides examples and exercises for students to learn about common prefixes like un-, re-, in-, and dis- and various suffixes. Additionally, it highlights the importance of teaching root words and their meanings to significantly expand vocabulary.

1. Teaching PrefixesSuffixesAndRootsKeith PruittWords of Wisdom Educational Consultingwww.woweducationalconsulting.com

2. One way to greatly enlarge the vocabulary of students in very short order is through teaching prefixes, suffixes and root words. Knowledge of these areas will help to greatly expand student vocabulary.Let’s first explore the nature of compound words.

3. Compound WordsWhen we add two words together, we form compound words. These may be easily taught to students.Patricia Cunningham suggests doing word sort activities by categorizing compounds.Apple + sauceEarth + quakeDraw + bridgeBrain + stormBasket + ballPan + cakesEar + ringsFinger + prints

4. PrefixesUn-, re-, in-, dis- are the most common prefixes and when students have learned their meanings, they can learn more than 1500 words easily.Start instruction with un-Read a selection… Explain that un carries the opposite meaning of the word to which it is added.

5. PrefixesUN-Which of these are prefixes and which are not?UnemployedUncleUnstableUnbrokenUnicorn UnhealthyUnluckyUnited

6. PrefixesRe-Can mean back or againWhich are these? And which are not a prefix?RearrangeRefundReplyReviewRefrigeratorRelocateReporterRewrite

7. PrefixesIn- Dis-Opposite or not, but words with in are irregularDo sorting exercises with prefixes, not prefixes including the irregular spellings.InspireIrrationalImmigrantImproveDislike

8. PrefixesLess common prefixes include in, mis, non, pre, en, over, under. misinformInsidePreviewOverdonePreteenNonlivingNonrenewableUnderhandUnderstand

9. SuffixesOften just called endings the most common are s (plural forms), er(relating to a person or thing that does something), ful, less, able, ible, ist.What do these words mean when the suffix is added?FighterFolderHelpfulVisitorDoubtfulPowerlessSuitableGulliblePersist

10. SuffixesHere are words using less meaning withoutHere are words using ful meaning full or havingDo the same exercise with -ment, -ance, -ness, -tion. Write riddles of what word am in with several. I end in –tion. We need to do this in math. What am I?

11. PrefixesUn-, re-, in-, dis- are the most common prefixes and when students have learned their meanings, they can learn more than 1500 words easily.Start instruction with un-Read a selection… Explain that un carries the opposite meaning of the word to which it is added.

12. RootsHere are some common roots and their meanings. What words could be taught? Give two examples of each.Dict= sayDuct=leadFac/fec=do, makeJect=throwLoc=placeMeter=measureMicro=smallPhon=soundPhoto=lightPort=carry, takePress=pressScrib=writeSens=feelSpec=lookStruct=buildTele=farTract=drag, pullVis/vid=seeVoc=voice, call

13. If we will spend just a few moments a day working with these words, we can seriously impact the knowledge base of each student.Keith PruittWords of Wisdom Educational Consultingwww.woweducationalconsulting.com