• Common Word Parts

    decodable words

    Understanding common word parts like base words, prefixes, and suffixes will help children break words into smaller, meaningful word parts, which can help them read, write, and understand more challenging words.

    The word help is called a base word because it can stand alone and has meaning. It is also called a base word because we can add to it to change the word. For example, we can add the ending ‑ful, for the word helpful. When we add a word part to the end of a word, it is called a suffix. We can also add a word part to the beginning of a base word. When we add a word part to the beginning of a base word, it is called a prefix. For example, the prefix un‑ can be added to helpful to make the word unhelpful.

     

    Word = Prefix + Base Word + Suffix
    Unhelpful = un + help + ful
     

    Base Words and Inflectional Endings

     
    Key Points About the Video
    • Mom reviews what they started before dinner to remind her son of what the activity was all about.
    • Mom asks her son the meaning of the inflectional endings -es and -ed to make sure he understands the meaning of the words they review.
    • Mom prompts her son by asking him to say the whole word, the base word, and the inflectional ending.

     

     Base Words and Inflectional Endings

    Help your child break words into base words and endings.

    Contraction Bingo

     
    Key Points About the Video
    • When her daughter doesn't find I've, Mom tells her that it will have an I first to help her find the contraction.
    • Mom has her daughter read the word cards and asks her what contraction makes up the words.
    • Mom encourages her daughter to look on both bingo cards to find the contraction to provide more practice opportunities.

     

     Contraction Bingo

    Help your child practice identifying the words that make up contractions.

    Prefix or Suffix?

     
    Key Points About the Video
    • Mom discusses the meaning of each word to promote vocabulary development.
    • When her daughter can't remember the word prefix, Mom gives her a choice, "Is it a suffix or a prefix?"
    • Mom and daughter enjoy painting and reading words with prefixes and suffixes.

     

     Prefix or Suffix?

    Help your child identify prefixes and suffixes.