Prefix Power! Adding to the Beginning of Words

English Language Arts Grades 1st Grade 5:41 Video
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Lesson Description

Learn about prefixes, those cool little word parts we add to the beginning of words to change their meaning! Discover how prefixes like 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-' can transform words and expand your vocabulary.

Video Resource

Prefixes for Kids

Homeschool Pop

Duration: 5:41
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word.
  • Prefixes change the meaning of the word they are attached to.
  • Common prefixes include 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-'.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to define what a prefix is.
  • Students will be able to identify the prefixes 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-' in words.
  • Students will be able to explain how a prefix changes the meaning of a word.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they know what a prefix is. Explain that today they'll learn about prefixes and how they change the meaning of words. Tell them they are going to watch a short video to help them learn.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the Homeschool Pop video 'Prefixes for Kids'. Encourage students to pay attention to the definition of a prefix and the examples provided.
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After the video, review what a prefix is. Ask students to name the prefixes they learned in the video ('re-', 'mis-', 'sub-'). Write these on the board. Discuss what each of these prefixes mean. ('re-' means again, 'mis-' means wrong, and 'sub-' means under).
  • Prefix Examples (10 mins)
    Provide additional examples of words with the prefixes 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-'. For each word, discuss how the prefix changes the meaning. Examples: rewrite, misbehave, subway. Ask students for their own examples.
  • Interactive Exercise (10 mins)
    Complete the prefix matching activity. Have students work individually or in pairs.
  • Wrap-up (3 mins)
    Review the definition of a prefix and the meanings of 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-'. Tell the students that prefixes can be a cool part of making words!

Interactive Exercises

  • Prefix Matching
    Create a worksheet with two columns. One column lists the prefixes 're-', 'mis-', and 'sub-' and their meanings ('again', 'wrong', 'under'). The other column lists words with those prefixes: refill, misspell, subtitle, remake, misuse, submarine. Students must draw lines to match each prefix to its meaning and then match the prefix to a word containing the prefix. (Example: re- means again, refill has the prefix re-)

Discussion Questions

  • What is a prefix?
  • What does the prefix 're-' mean?
  • Can you think of a word that starts with 'mis-'?
  • What does the prefix 'sub-' mean?
  • How does a prefix change the meaning of a word?

Skills Developed

  • Vocabulary building
  • Reading comprehension
  • Critical thinking

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What is a prefix?

Correct Answer: A word part at the beginning of a word

Question 2:

What does 're-' mean?

Correct Answer: Again

Question 3:

What does 'mis-' mean?

Correct Answer: Wrong

Question 4:

What does 'sub-' mean?

Correct Answer: Under

Question 5:

Which word has the prefix 're-'?

Correct Answer: Refill

Question 6:

Which word has the prefix 'mis-'?

Correct Answer: Misspell

Question 7:

Which word has the prefix 'sub-'?

Correct Answer: Subtitle

Question 8:

What does 'remake' mean?

Correct Answer: To make again

Question 9:

What does 'misuse' mean?

Correct Answer: To use wrongly

Question 10:

What does 'submarine' mean?

Correct Answer: Under the sea

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A _______ is a word part added to the beginning of a word.

Correct Answer: prefix

Question 2:

The prefix 're-' means ________.

Correct Answer: again

Question 3:

The prefix 'mis-' means ________.

Correct Answer: wrong

Question 4:

The prefix 'sub-' means ________.

Correct Answer: under

Question 5:

'Refill' means to fill ________.

Correct Answer: again

Question 6:

'Misspell' means to spell ________.

Correct Answer: wrongly

Question 7:

'Subtitle' is a title that is _______ the main title.

Correct Answer: under

Question 8:

Adding a _______ changes the meaning of a word.

Correct Answer: prefix

Question 9:

A submarine goes _______ the water.

Correct Answer: under

Question 10:

To ______ is to make again

Correct Answer: remake

Educational Standards

1.4.R.3:Students will use word parts (e.g., affixes, Anglo-Saxon roots, stems) to define unfamiliar words with prompting. 1.4.R.5:Students will acquire new grade-level vocabulary, relate new words to prior knowledge, and apply vocabulary in new situations. 1.2.PWS.1:Students will blend and decode two-phoneme and three-phoneme words. 1.1.S.2:Students will engage in collaborative discussions about various topics and texts, including their own writing, with peers in small and large groups.

Teaching Materials

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