Kristin RoslonskiKristin RoslonskiEDCI 519EDCI 519October 16, 2007October 16, 2007kroslons@gmu.edukroslons@gmu.edu

with Sally with Sally SleuthSleuthwith Sally with Sally SleuthSleuth

You can figure out the meanings of new words You can figure out the meanings of new words by learning about the three (3) word parts:by learning about the three (3) word parts:

roots –roots –word basesword bases prefixesprefixes – word beginnings – word beginnings suffixessuffixes – word endings – word endings

Root words, prefixes, and suffixes Root words, prefixes, and suffixes are everywhere! are everywhere!

(Click on the (Click on the greengreen arrow to continue.) arrow to continue.)

You can figure out the meanings of new words You can figure out the meanings of new words by learning about the three (3) word parts:by learning about the three (3) word parts:

roots –roots –word basesword bases prefixesprefixes – word beginnings – word beginnings suffixessuffixes – word endings – word endings

Root words, prefixes, and suffixes Root words, prefixes, and suffixes are everywhere! are everywhere!

(Click on the (Click on the greengreen arrow to continue.) arrow to continue.)

Why learn root Why learn root

words, prefixes, and words, prefixes, and

suffixes?suffixes?

Root WordsRoot Words

PrePrefixesfixes

SuffixesSuffixesInvestigation TrailInvestigation Trail

“Knowing root words can help you understand and remember difficult words much better.

Roots are everywhere! And not just under trees and plants! ;-)

Let’s investigate!”

“Knowing root words can help you understand and remember difficult words much better.

Roots are everywhere! And not just under trees and plants! ;-)

Let’s investigate!”

Root Word Definition Example

am, amor love, liking amiable, amorous

aud hear, listen audio, auditorium

bio life biography, biology

cycl wheel, circular bicycle

geo earth geography, geology

A root word is a base word. You can change the meaning of it by adding suffixes and/or prefixes.

love, likinglove, liking

My best friend is amiable.The mama penguin and her baby are amorous.

My best friend is amiable.The mama penguin and her baby are amorous.

hear, listenhear, listen

The band played music in the auditorium.The audience clapped at the end of the performance.

The band played music in the auditorium.The audience clapped at the end of the performance.

lifelife

Biology is the study of life.Your biography is the story of your life.Biology is the study of life.Your biography is the story of your life.

wheel, circularwheel, circular

I want to ride my bicycle. It is important to recycle paper, plastic, and cans.Another name for a tornado is cyclone.

I want to ride my bicycle. It is important to recycle paper, plastic, and cans.Another name for a tornado is cyclone.

earthearth

My favorite subject is geography.Geology is the study of the earth.My favorite subject is geography.Geology is the study of the earth.

“You can find prefixes at the beginning of many words. Even the word “prefix” has a prefix!

Let’s investigate some of the places where you’ll find prefixes!”

“You can find prefixes at the beginning of many words. Even the word “prefix” has a prefix!

Let’s investigate some of the places where you’ll find prefixes!”

Prefix Definition Example

pre- before preview

un- not unhappy

re- back, again reread, replay

non- not nonsense

sub- under submarine

A prefix is a group of letters that comes before a root word. They can change or clarify the meaning of the root word.A prefix is a group of letters that comes before a root word. They can change or clarify the meaning of the root word.

beforebefore

Make a prediction about the story before you read it.I love watching movie previews.

Make a prediction about the story before you read it.I love watching movie previews.

notnot

Sad songs make me feel unhappy. The old sofa is very uncomfortable.Sad songs make me feel unhappy. The old sofa is very uncomfortable.

again, back again, back

It’s important to review before a test.Let’s watch a replay of the homerun!It’s important to review before a test.Let’s watch a replay of the homerun!

notnot

We would like to sit in the non-smoking section.Do you like to read nonfiction?

We would like to sit in the non-smoking section.Do you like to read nonfiction?

underunder

A submarine travels under the water.I ride the subway into the city.A submarine travels under the water.I ride the subway into the city.

“You can find suffixes at the end of many words. They come after prefixes and root words.

Think of suffixes as the dessert of a word! Yummy!

Let’s investigate!”

“You can find suffixes at the end of many words. They come after prefixes and root words.

Think of suffixes as the dessert of a word! Yummy!

Let’s investigate!”

Suffix Definition Example

-s, -es plural, more than one books, sandwiches

-ed past tense (regular verbs) called, learned

-less without careless, hopeless

-er one who, a person who baker, teacher

-ful full of hopeful, careful

Suffixes come at the end of a word. Sometimes a suffix will tell you what part of speech or tense a word is.

plural, more than oneplural, more than one

The girl has many dolls.How many sandwiches did you eat?The girl has many dolls.How many sandwiches did you eat?

past tense (regular verbs)past tense (regular verbs)

Jose called his mom. We played soccer at recess. Jose called his mom. We played soccer at recess.

withoutwithout

Alma spent all of her money. She was penniless.Don’t be careless with other people’s things.

Alma spent all of her money. She was penniless.Don’t be careless with other people’s things.

a person who does somethinga person who does something

The baker bakes cakes.A teacher is someone who teaches.The baker bakes cakes.A teacher is someone who teaches.

full offull of

Thank you for the flowers. That was very thoughtful of you.A ballerina is a graceful dancer.Hopefully, there is gold at the end of the rainbow!

Thank you for the flowers. That was very thoughtful of you.A ballerina is a graceful dancer.Hopefully, there is gold at the end of the rainbow!