Affixes – Teaching affixes
It can help to start by first introducing common ones such as the prefix ‘un’ or suffix ‘ly’. This will ensure that your students encounter them regularly, and can build their knowledge of how these specific affixes are used with a number of different words.
It can also be overwhelming for students to learn about prefixes and suffixes at the same time. As such, it can be easier for them to start with prefixes, and then move on to suffixes at a later point.
Techniques for teaching affixes
Once your students understand what affixes are, you can use some of the following techniques to help your class practice using them.
💡 Useful techniques:
• Draw attention to affixes when they come up naturally in your lessons. By breaking words down into their different parts, students will start to analyze words for themselves and build a greater understanding of how specific affixes are used.
• Divide students into groups, then give each group a pile of word cards and a chart with three columns. Each group should work together to cut the words apart, into their root, suffix, and prefix, and arrange them in the appropriate columns.
• Put a number of cards face down on the table. Each card should have a word that your students know well and can be combined with a suffix or prefix that they also know. Then have students take it in turns to pick a card and say the word on its underside, but with an affix added. If correct, they get to keep the card or gain a point.
• Introduce a specific prefix or suffix and help your students to build a ‘word tree’ by listing all the different words which can use this affix. This can be turned into a competition by splitting the class into groups, and having them compete to create the tree with the most correct words.
Learning about affixes will be an important and ongoing part of your lessons. While students are likely to find it difficult at first, with enough time, examples, and patience, they’ll build up an understanding of how to use them.