Phonics
Unit 32
Focus: Fifteen common suffixes:
-ed, -es, -s, -ing, -less, -ment, -ful, -est, -er, -ness, -ous, -age, -ly, -sion, -tion
Rules: A suffix is placed at the end of a word or stem. A suffix adds meaning to the base
word.
 -ed: means “something has already happened.”
Ex. sailed, baked, landed
 -es and –s: mean “more than one.”
Ex. benches, pets, rivers
 -ing: means “happening now.”
Ex. adding, splashing
 -less: means “without”
Ex. helpless, endless
 -ment: means “state of or condition of
Ex. placement, entertainment
 -ful: means “full of”
Ex. careful, helpful, colorful
 -est: means “to compare three or more.”
Ex. coldest, slowest, oldest
 -er: means “one who does” or “comparing two”
Ex. teacher, baker, bigger
 -ness: means “being”
Ex. kindness, illness, sadness
 -ous: means “having, full of”
Ex. famous, humorous
 -age: means “pertaining to”
Ex. storage, package
 -ly: means “like, manner of”
Ex. quickly, monthly, shyly
 -sion and -tion: mean “condition of”
Ex. explosion, division,
transportation, attraction.
Red Words: again, against, friend
Examples: (Above)
How you can help:
 Have your student read and make connections between everyday words they will
read (signs, newspapers, websites) to what they are working on in school.
 Encourage your child to write and spell notes, e-mails, and letters while applying
what he knows about sounds and letters.
 While reading or writing, "irregular" or “red words” may appear that do not follow
the phonics rules. Examples are “is, who, are.” Also, you can practice helping your
student recognize them automatically.
 Check out Mrs. Cortese’s website for fun phonics games that can be played!
 Apps are available to download for practice:
o Phonics Tic-Tac-Toe Interactive Game-by Lakeshore (FREE)
o Spelling City (FREE)
o Sight Words Spelling (FREE)
o Phonics 2- phonics 2nd grade
o Abby Explorer Phonics Second Grade
o Phonics Genius