Grade by Grade
B. Foundations of Language · Printing, Spelling and Sentences

Word Parts: Prefixes, Suffixes and Compound Words

B2.3About 35 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can add a prefix like un-, re-, dis-, mis- or pre- to change a word's meaning.
  • I can add a suffix like -ful, -less, -ness, -ly or -er to make a new word.
  • I can spell compound words by spelling each small word.
  • I can use word parts to work out what a new word means.

Words to know

prefix
A word part added to the beginning of a base word, like un- in unhappy.
suffix
A word part added to the end of a base word, like -ful in helpful.
base word
The main word that parts are added to.
compound word
Two words joined together to make a new word, like snow + flake = snowflake.

Word parts have meanings

In the last lesson you added endings like -ed and -ing. Now you'll meet more word parts that change the meaning of a word.

When you know what a word part means, you can spell it and understand it, even in brand-new words!

PrefixMeaningExamples
un-not, or the oppositeunhappy, unlock, unkind
re-again, or backredo, reread, refill
dis-not, or the oppositedislike, disagree
mis-wronglymisspell, misplace
pre-beforepreheat, preview
Prefixes go at the beginning
SuffixMeaningExamples
-fulfull ofhelpful, careful, joyful
-lesswithouthelpless, careless, fearless
-nessbeing, or the state ofkindness, sadness, darkness
-lyin a ___ wayquickly, softly, kindly
-era person whoteacher, skater, farmer
Suffixes go at the end

Just stick it on

Prefixes usually don't change the spelling of the base word. Just add them: un + kind = unkind, mis + spell = misspell (yes, two s's: one from mis and one from spell!).

unhelpfulun + help + ful = unhelpful
A word can have a prefix and a suffix at the same time.
Worked example

Let's build "careless"

Spell careless and say what it means.

  1. Find the parts: care + less.
  2. care is the base word. Spell it: c-a-r-e.
  3. -less means without. It starts with a consonant, so the e in care stays.
  4. Join them: careless.
  5. Meaning: without care. A careless person doesn't take care.

careless: without care

Worked example

Let's build "reread"

Spell reread and say what it means.

  1. Find the parts: re + read.
  2. re- means again.
  3. Spell re, then spell read.
  4. Join them: reread. Meaning: read again.

reread: read again

Just for fun

Riddle: What has a bow but can't tie a ribbon?

A rainbow! 🌈 rain + bow.

Compound words

A compound word is made of two whole words. Spell each small word, then join them with no space:

  • snow + man = snowman ⛄
  • rain + bow = rainbow 🌈
  • pan + cake = pancake 🥞
  • back + pack = backpack 🎒

Not every pair of words joins up, so if you're not sure, check a dictionary. The meaning often comes from both words: a snowman is a man made of snow.

snow+man=snowmanpan+cake=pancake
A compound word is two whole words joined with no space. A snowman is a man made of snow. (A pancake is a cake made in a pan, not a cake for pans!)
Hands-on activity

Word part builder

You need: sticky notes or paper squares in 3 colours (or 3 crayons), a pencil.

  1. On colour 1, write prefixes: un, re, dis, mis.
  2. On colour 2, write base words: kind, do, like, play, help, fill, lock, spell.
  3. On colour 3, write suffixes: ful, less, ness, er.
  4. Build as many real words as you can. Example: un + kind, kind + ness, re + fill, help + ful, play + er.
  5. For each word, tell your grown-up what it means using the meaning of each part.
  6. Try a silly one, like re + kind. Is it a real word? (No!)

Bonus: find compound words around your house: toothbrush, bathtub, bedroom, doorbell, cupboard.

Your turn

1

What does unhappy mean?

2

Add re- to fill. What does the new word mean?

3

Add -ful to help.

4

Add -ness to kind.

5

Spell the compound word: rain + coat.

6

Find the prefix in dislike.

7

Which suffix means without: -ful or -less?

More practice: warm-up

1

Add un- to lock.

2

Add -er to teach.

3

Spell snow + ball.

4

Add -ly to soft.

5

Add re- to do.

More practice: on your own

1

Spell misspell. Why does it have two s's?

2

What does preheat mean?

3

Make two words with care: one with -ful and one with -less.

4

Spell sad + ness.

5

Which is a compound word: sunflower, sunny or sunning?

Challenge

1

Split unhelpful into its parts and tell what it means.

2

Make a word that means a person who skates. Watch the spelling!

3

Write a sentence with fearless and kindness.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

What does re- mean in retell?

2.

Which word means without fear?

3.

Which is a compound word?

4.

What does dislike mean?

5.

Which is spelled correctly?

6.

Which word means a person who farms?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Grade 2 students use developing knowledge of common morphemes (bases, prefixes and suffixes) to read and spell words (B2.3). Knowing that un- means "not" or -ful means "full of" helps with both spelling and meaning.

How to help at home:

  • Play "word math": un + lock = ? or What's kindness minus -ness?
  • When you meet a long word in a book, cover the prefix or suffix and find the base together.
  • Talk about meanings: "If -less means without, what does homeless or careless mean?"

Common difficulties:

  • Dropping a letter when a prefix and base share one (mispell). Write the parts separately first, then join.
  • Splitting compound words with a space (snow man). Remind them it is one word.
  • Inventing words (unsad). That's good thinking! Explain that not every combination is a real word and check a dictionary together.
  • Spelling -ful as -full. The suffix has just one l.