Once students are competent at using letter-sound relationships to decode words, they begin to recognize meaningful units of words, such as graphemic bases (-an, -ain), affixes (-ed, re-), or syllables (be•cause, to•geth•er). Structural elements of words follow predictable patterns. Able readers deduce these patterns without giving them much thought. They perceive common roots and affixes, divide words rapidly, and decode accurately. On the other hand, struggling readers are not adept at recognizing or utilizing structural cues, so they need formal instruction. All students, even those who read with ease, spell more accurately as cognizance of orthographic features advances.
Initially, students learn to recognize how affixes and root words are used as structural elements of words. This is the objective of our Prefix/Root/Suffix manipulatives. In the vocabulary section and materials, students learn to use the meaning of these word parts to expand vocabulary.
Step 1 - Teach students to identify prefixes/root words/suffixes
When introducing prefix/root word/suffix identification and usage to students, it is preferable to use roots that are English words after affixes are removed. Students grasp these concepts more readily when dealing with affixes on known words. The third example below contains a Latin root (voc, vok - to call), an example of root words to avoid in phonics exercises.
Prefix Root Suffix
dis grace ful
re turn ing
pro vok ed (Latin root)
Step 2 - Teach or review common suffix usages
Suffixes are added to the end of words to modify usage. These are common suffix usages:
• -s or -es to form plurals or third-person-singular verbs
• -ed to form past tense verbs
• -ing to form present participle verbs
• -er to form comparative adjectives or -est to form superlative adjectives.
In addition, suffixes are used to change words from one part of speech to another (act -> actor, verb -> noun). As students are learning about orthographic characteristics of words, it is suffix recognition that is the goal. Complexities of usage can be learned once they read proficiently.
Step 3 - Teach how prefixes are used to change word meaning
Prefixes are placed at the beginning of words to change meaning. "Pre" in "prefix" is a prefix meaning "before" or "in front of." The study of prefixes and their affect on meaning is a valuable strategy for expanding word knowledge and is covered in the vocabulary section. As a word analysis strategy, prefix recognition and general usage concepts are the objectives. Students need to be able to recognize and remove prefixes when breaking down words.
Download Prefixes & Suffixes Resource List
Syllabication, or the breaking down of words into each uninterrupted unit of spoken language, is often taught in such a fragmented manner in materials that students are unable to pull all components together into a viable word analysis strategy. Research indicates that readers generally use sounds to determine syllable division. If this is the case, students must already know what the strategies are intended to teach.
Students who need to use syllabication to decode words must be taught syllabication rules holistically. When they apply basic rules in steps, they begin to recognize patterns and break down unknown words. Initially, the rules are applied to two-syllable rules. Once students learn the patterns, the same rules are used to break down longer words. Even those students who read words with ease in context generally improve spelling accuracy if they become more cognizant of word structure and syllabication patterns.
Step 1 - Assure that students have prerequisite phonics skills
Students should possess certain prerequisite skills and concepts before being taught the syllabication rules. Frequently, it is necessary to review short and long vowels, as well as prefixes/root words/suffixes, before proceeding with syllabication. You will see why as you review the following foundation concepts.
Step 2 - Teach syllabication rules and apply in order
The Reading Manipulatives Syllable Sort manipulatives have students sort two-syllable words according to these division rules:
Learn how to teach syllabication holistically so students will actually apply the rules for decoding. A resource list with 67 examples for each of the 4 syllabication categories is included.
Download Syllabication Tips for Teachers
Download Syllabication Resource List
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