SWDAT use prefixes and suffixes to define unfamiliar words
Connection (3-5 mins): Readers you have worked really hard to learn many prefixes and suffixes over the past couple days. Today, we will
put all of your hard work together to determine the meaning of multiple syllabic words. This is a tough job, but I know you are ready to use
what you know to figure out the meaning of many words.
Teach (10-12 mins): Students should be seated on the carpet with a partner. They will be expected to turn and talk to this partner throughout
the lesson. I am excited to begin our work today with word parts. Before we begin, we need to review the two word parts that we learned. The
first part we learned were prefixes. Turn and tell your partner a prefix that we learned and the definition of that prefix. Students turn and talk
while students listen in on conversations. Teacher charts student responses.
Great job. Now let’s review the suffixes we learned. Remember suffixes are added to the end of words. Turn and tell your partner a suffix that
we learned and the definition of that suffix. Students turn and talk while students listen in on conversations. Teacher charts student
responses.
Let’s look at a few examples of words that use prefixes and suffixes. The first word that we will use is irreplaceable. The first thing I need to
do is to look at the word and break it down into the parts that I recognize. I know that we learned about the prefix ir and the suffix able.
Therefore, the root word must be replace and I know that replace means to put something in the place of something else. If I need to replace a
pair of shoes, I buy a new pair. If I think back to what I learned, the prefix ir means not and the suffix able means able to. Now to put
everything together, the word irreplaceable means not able to be replaced. Whew! That was a lot of work but now I have a much better
understanding of that word.
Now it’s your turn to try. Teacher reads aloud the second example, the word disagreeable. Turn and tell your partner what you think the word
means. Students should turn and talk using what they know about word parts. Teacher listens in to conversations and facilitates discussion
when necessary. Teacher calls on a student to share their responses. I am so impressed, you are exactly right! The word disagreeable
means that you are not able to agree on something. I noticed that many of you used your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to determine the
word meaning. That is great work.
I want you to see one last example. Teacher uncovers the word unsuccessful. Turn and tell your partner the definition of this word. Students
should turn and talk using what they know about word parts. Teacher listens in to conversations and facilitates discussion when necessary.
Teacher calls on a student to share their responses. Fantastic! That was a difficult word to solve and you did a great job. Unsuccessful means
that you are not full of success.
Now you are ready to try on your own. When you return to your seats today you will look for words with prefixes and suffixes in your
independent reading book. As you read, each time you see a word that has a prefix or suffix, write it down in your reader’s notebook. Make
sure to include the definition of the word that you found as well. At the end of workshop time we can share out the words that we found.
Active Engagement (15-20 mins): Students should return to their seats to work independently. During this time students will read from their
“just right” books. As they read they will create a list of words that use prefixes and suffixes they see while reading. Each word should be
written and defined in their reader’s notebook. Teacher should circulate and conference with students who need additional support.
Exit Slip/Share (3-5 mins): Students should complete an exit slip for this lesson. The exit slip contains five words that feature prefixes and
suffixes. Students are responsible for writing the definition of each word using their knowledge of word parts. Teacher should collect exit slips
to determine students who mastered the skill and those who need additional support.
Reflection: This is the culmination of the first two lessons focused on prefixes and suffixes. The goal is that students will continue to use this
strategy during their own independent reading time when they encounter a word they do not know