Prefixes
Understanding Prefixes
Items in this lesson
Understanding Prefixes
What do you already know about prefixes?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify, use, and understand common prefixes to build and decode new words.
What Is a Prefix?
A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning.
Why Are Prefixes Important?
Prefixes help you work out what unfamiliar words mean. They can also help you spell and use words correctly.
Common Prefixes: Examples
Prefix: un-
Meaning: again Example: redo (do again)
Prefix: re-
Meaning: not or opposite of Example: unhappy (not happy)
Common Prefixes: More Examples
Meaning: before Example: preview (see before)
Meaning: not, opposite of Example: disagree (not agree)
Prefix: dis-
Prefix: pre-
How Prefixes Change Meanings
Adding a prefix can turn a word into its opposite or change when something happens. For example, 'happy' becomes 'unhappy'.
Spot the Prefix
Can you spot the prefix in the word 'replay'? Hint: It's at the start of the word.
Practice: Match the Prefix
Match each prefix to its meaning: 'un-', 're-', 'dis-'. Which means 'again'? Which means 'not'?
Word Building Activity
Create new words using the prefixes: 'pre-', 'un-', and 'dis-'. For example: 'preheat', 'unlock', 'dislike'.
Using Prefixes in Sentences
Work together to put these words with prefixes into sentences: 'undo', 'replay', 'disagree', 'preview'.
Reflection: Why Use Prefixes?
Prefixes help us understand and use many different words. They make our reading and writing stronger!
Summary: Key Points
A prefix is added to the start of a word. It changes the word's meaning. Some common prefixes are 'un-', 're-', 'dis-', and 'pre-'.
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
