Improve Comprehension: A Word Game Using Root Words and Affixes

Middle school students love friendly competition, and word games can be an ideal context to help them study the meaning, structure, and spelling of words. In this lesson, students practice analyzing word meanings by learning root words and affixes. They work in a variety of ways with a list of about 20 common but challenging words to learn the definition and spelling of each. Then they get in small groups to design and play the Make-a-Word card game, during which they must form complete words with three cards: a prefix, a root word, and a suffix. This is a fun, easy way to review root words and affixes. It can easily be adapted to multiple grade levels so it has been labeled with GLEs for 6-8 grade.

Weblink address (URL):

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives:

Student Objectives:

Students will

Learn how affixes and root words affect word meaning
Develop an awareness of how to decipher word meaning by analyzing the affixes and root words and looking at context
Synthesize what they have learned by constructing game cards that contain root words and affixes
Work cooperatively in small groups to make and play a word card game
Understand how this knowledge will help them to improve reading comprehension and spelling

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level:

Understanding

Extension suggestions:

Extensions:

In the days that follow the card game, offer students extra points if they find one of the 20 words from the game in their reading or if they point it out when you use the word during class.
Have students use the Stapleless Book to make a book depicting eight of the 20 words they created game cards for. Each page can include the complete word and its definition, the meaning of each word part, a sentence using the word, and a drawing to illustrate the sentence.
Use the websites listed in the Web Resources to make additional sets of cards with root words and affixes. You might even sponsor a tournament in your class to see who can make the most words.

Helpful Hints

Preparation:

If you do not have classroom computers with Internet access, reserve Session 1 in your school's computer lab. Note that you will want to have dictionaries available for students to use while working in the lab.
Review the following websites to get an idea of how the concept of word parts is presented in different ways. Bookmark these websites on the computers students will be using.
Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes
Spelling it Right: Prefixes
Spelling it Right: Suffixes
Most Common Prefixes and Suffixes
Print and make copies of the following handouts for every student in your class:
Prefix, Root Word, and Suffix Study Sheet
Make-a-Word Game Chart
Definition Study
Make-a-Word Game Instructions
Make-a-Word Self-Evaluation
Print and review the Affixes and Root Words: Teacher's Guide to use as a reference when reviewing students' work.
If students in your class have not worked with word parts before, prepare working definitions of prefix, root word, and suffix to share with them. You can use the definitions that appear at the top of the Prefix, Root Word, and Suffix Study Sheet.

Materials and Technology:

Dictionaries
60 index cards for each group of three or four students
Markers, pens, and pencils for each group
Computers with Internet access

Printouts:

Affixes and Root Words: Teacher's Guide
Prefix, Root Word, and Suffix Study Sheet
Make-a-Word Game Chart
Definition Study
Make-a-Word Game Instructions
Make-a-Word Self-Evaluation

Websites:

Root Words, Prefixes, Suffixes
Spelling it Right: Prefixes
Spelling it Right: Suffixes
Most Common Prefixes and Suffixes

References

Contributors:

Tonya Malone

Originator:

Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation