ELA 3 standard 1 Combo
12/26/02
3:43 PM
Page 41
3.1.8
Suffix Addition
Purpose
Students will practice applying their knowledge of suffixes to determine
the meaning of words.
Materials
For the teacher: chalkboard, chalk, index cards, markers
For each pair of students: set of base word cards, set of suffix cards,
Black Line Master (BLM) Suffix Addition, pencils
extending
THE
ACTIVITY
Allow students to
invent new words by
combining base words
with suffixes such as
fun + ful = funful,
meaning full of fun.
Activity
A. Pre-Activity Preparation
1. Make sets of base words, such as “help,” one word per 3" × 5"
index card. (See BLM answer key for ideas.)
2. Make sets of suffixes, including “ful,” “less,” “ward,” and “er,”
one suffix per 3" × 5" index card.
B. Pre-Activity Discussion
1. Review the concept of suffixes.
2. Demonstrate that suffixes are added to the end of base words.
3. Define the suffixes: -ful = full of, -less = without,
-ward = direction, -er = one who does the action.
4. Explain that knowing what suffixes mean can help
us to determine the meaning of whole words.
meeting
individual
NEEDS
Allow students who
complete the activity
quickly to combine
word parts that are not
on the cards, adding
prefixes as well as
suffixes.
C. Activity
1. Place together a base word card and a suffix card such
as help + ful = helpful on the chalkboard.
2. Ask students to explain what the word helpful means
(full of help).
3. Write the definition underneath the word on the chalkboard.
4. Allow each student to work with a partner.
5. Have students create as many words as they can by pairing
base word cards with suffix cards.
6. Have students write the words and their definitions
in the correct box on the BLM Suffix Addition.
(continued)
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 7
Indiana English/Language Arts Grade 3 Standards Resource, February 2003
Standards Link
3.1.6
page 41
Standard 1
Standard Indicator
ELA 3 standard 1 Combo
12/26/02
3:43 PM
Page 42
Standard 1
Activity (continued)
D. Close the Activity
1. Give correct responses for the BLM Suffix Addition, and discuss
word meanings.
2. Have students write sentences using the new words correctly
in their vocabulary logs.
Questions for Review
Basic Concepts and Processes
While students are working independently, circulate around
the room and ask individuals the following questions:
What is a suffix?
Can you give an example of a suffix?
How does knowing what a suffix means help you understand
what a whole word means?
page 42
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 7
Indiana English/Language Arts Grade 3 Standards Resource, February 2003
ELA 3 standard 1 Combo
12/26/02
3:43 PM
Page 43
Name:
Suffix Addition
+ ful = full of
+ less = without
1. ______________________________
1. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
2. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
3. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
4. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
+ ward = direction
+ er = one who does
1. ______________________________
1. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
2. ______________________________
2. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
3. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
4. ______________________________
4. ______________________________
_________________________
______________________________
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 7
Indiana English/Language Arts Grade 3 Standards Resource, February 2003
Black Line Master 1
page 43
ELA 3 standard 1 Combo
12/26/02
3:43 PM
Page 44
Suffix Addition
Teacher Directions
Give each pair of students a complete set of suffix cards and base word cards. Allow plenty
of time for students to work with the word cards, making as many possible combinations as
they can. Have students record their combinations and write a definition for each, based on
their knowledge of the meaning of each suffix.
Answer Key
Student responses will vary, depending on which word parts they choose to combine.
Here is a list of suffix and base word parts suggested for this activity:
Suffix word cards: -ful (meaning full of), -less (meaning without), -ward (meaning direction),
-er (meaning one who does the action)
Base word cards: rest, help, peace, thought, sense, tree, pain, sugar, north, home, back, fore,
west, work, fight, sing, learn
Note: Some words created will not be real words. Encourage students to check their “new”
words in the dictionary.
Black Line Master 1
page 44
Standard 1 / Curriculum Framework / Activity 7
Indiana English/Language Arts Grade 3 Standards Resource, February 2003