Base Words
Mrs. Marino
Houghton Mifflin, Reading, grade 3
Extra Support Handbook
Pages 14-23
Warm-Up/Academic Language
• Base Words = smaller words
– lock (noun/thing or verb/action)
• Prefix = beginning attachment
– unlock (verb/action)
• Suffix = ending attachment
– locked (verb/action)
• Prefix + base word + suffix = longer
word
– Unlocked (verb/action)
Practice
• Base word: tie (noun/thing or verb/action)
• Prefix: untie (verb/action)
• Suffix: tied (verb/action)
• Entire Combination: untied (verb/action)
More Practice
• Base Word: plug (noun/thing or verb/action)
• Prefix: unplug (verb/action)
• Suffix: plugged (notice the “gg”)
(verb/action)
• Entire Combination: unplugged
(verb/action)
Phonic/Decoding Strategies
• Syllables: Break words into smaller
chunks to decode
un – open – ed = unopened
*un- means “not”:
unpaid = not paid
uneven = not even
Examples
Beginning
Examples
overrepre-
overcook, overflow
rewrite, restart
pretest, prepay
Ending
Examples
-ed
-ing
-ful
looked, walked
saying, trying
fearful, playful
*Hint:
over- = too much
-ed = past action
re- = to do again
-ing = present action
pre- = to do before
-ful -= full of
“Use”
• Base word: use
• Activity: How many words can you make by
adding a prefix or suffix to this word?
• Try these prefixes and suffixes:
– -ed, -ing, -ful, over-, re-
• Don’t forget the spelling rule:
– If you add a suffix that begins with “e”, drop the
extra “e” at the end of the base word.
Guided Practice
How might each character
be feeling?
Support your answer with
examples from the dialogue.
How many words can you
locate that have a prefix or
suffix?
What are the two base words
that are used with the
prefixes and suffixes?
Write a new sentence using
each of the base words.
Share the sentence with your
partner.
Apply What You Know
Read the directions for each
section.
Label your answer sheet 1-10.
Neatly print your answers on your
answer sheet, next to the correct
numbers.
Write the entire word for numbers 710.
We will check the answers together.
*If you finish early, turn your paper
over and write a new base word
and as many variations of the word
that you can think of on the paper.*
Follow Through
• Which word is common (base word)?
• re + play = replay
• play + ing = playing
• (The base word is the simplest form of
the word.)
Discussion and Work
• The teacher is working on the math
review.
• Read the sentence.
• Identify the three words with base
words.
• Where is the base word in teacher?
– teach + -er = teacher
– certain verbs + -er = noun
Practice
•
•
•
•
•
•
Turn to “The Lost and Found”, page 20.
Find the word “teacher.”
The base word is ________________.
Look for the word “entered.”
The base word is ________________.
Remember:
– Look for small words within a bigger word
– Break the word into “chunks”
– Ask, “Does this word make sense in the text?”
Apply
• Look in the story for more base words
contained in larger words.
• Write five words on your answer sheet
as math equations:
– groan + ed = groaned
*Discuss your answers with your desk
partner.
*Write each word in a sentence of your
own.
Assessment
• Teacher observation
• Daily work
• Daily writing
• Informal discussions
• Literature selections
• Theme Skills tests
• Daily language activities