Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots

Lyrics

Chorus
Words are power, and that’s the truth
Prefixes, suffixes, and they all got roots
Words are power, they run this town
So let’s run the track back, and break ‘em on down

Verse I
Let me break this down, we start with root words the truest
Not a full word, just a linguistic unit
You get a lot of room here to improvise
Visualize words of small size as I summarize
“aqua” means water, “ami” means love
“bio” means life, “hemo” means blood
“geo” means earth, and “vita” means life
Let’s hit the next topic so y’all can get it right

Chorus

Verse II
You want to know what’s next, it’s the prefix step
The initial portion of a term or object
Look at the word itself, it’s a two-part patch
“pre” means before, and “fix” is to attach
“anti-” means against, “inter-” means between
“poly-” means many, while “homo-” means the same
“pseudo-” means false, and “trans-” mean across
Prefixes start words, you should never take a loss

Chorus

Verse III
If prefixes come before, then what’s the next chapter
Suffixes follows root words, so they must come after
And while this may sound absurd
A suffix can also change the grammar function of a whole word
“Wait, from adjectives to adverbs?” Like clear into clearly
“But then child into childish?” It’s semantics, can you hear me?
“-ology” means study of, “-ism” is belief in
“-cide” means killing, and “-or” and “-er” mean demonstration
“-phobia” means fear of, “-kinesis” means movement
And that’s what it is, now you’re getting some improvement

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Description

“Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots” is an English grammar song that teaches students how words are put together. The song is also useful for lessons that involve Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes, and roots, and uses examples to demonstrate each part. The additional resource materials, lesson plans and worksheets reinforce concepts for students.

This song is suitable for elementary school, middle school, and high school students, and as part of Latin and Greek language courses.

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Related Reading and Activities

Reading

BetterEndings.com
Prefix,Suffix Roots Chart
Easy to read chart to help students understand prefixes, suffices and roots. Definitions of each are provided. Easy to download and copy for classroom use.
Grades 5-9

PrefixSuffix.com: English Language Roots Reference
English Language Roots, Suffixes and Syllables
This site provides comprehensive detailing of prefixes, suffixes and roots, two games, a great chart and links to other resources. Highly recommended!
Grades 5-9

Virtualsalt.com
Root Words and Prefixes
This site explains in excellent detail how words are formed. A good template for teaching root words, prefixes and suffixes. A table of prefixes and word roots with definitions is attached.
Grades 5-9

AncientHistory.about.com
Greek and Latin Roots
This site has several pages with interesting information about root words, prefixes and suffixes based in Latin and Greek with accompanying lists of words. Lots of really good information.
Grades 5-8

Mr. Hanno’s unit
Greek and Latin Roots
This site is simply a chart of Greek and Latin roots to English words. Some suffixes are listed as well.
Grades 5-8

Lesson Plans & Activities

International Reading Association
Flip-a-Chip: Examining Affixes and Roots to Build Vocabulary
This classroom game focuses on filling in stories with the proper prefixes and suffixes. This could be fun and expanded on with more words.
Grades 6-8

Improve Comprehension Using a Word Card Game with Root Words and Affixes
In this lesson, students practice analyzing word meanings by learning root words and affixes. They work in a variety of ways with a list of about 20 common but challenging words to learn the definition and spelling of each. Then they get in small groups to design and play the Make-a-Word card game.
Grades 6-8

Scholastic
Bill Klepper, Fat Cat (PDF)
This PDF worksheet focuses on prefixes and root words. Quite clever and fun.
Grades 5-8

bingo lingo (PDF)
This clever but challenging bingo game enforces a strong knowledge of root words.
Grades 7-8

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State Standards

State standards listed here are representative of school standards across the United States.

California

7th Grade
1.0 Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development - Use knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon roots and affixes to understand content-area vocabulary.

Florida

6th-8th Grades
LA.6.1.6.7, LA.7.1.6.7, LA.8.1.6.7 - Identify and understand meaning of conceptually advanced prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Massachusetts

5th-7th Grades
Standard 4: Vocabulary and Concept Development - Determine meanings of unfamiliar words using knowledge of common Greek and Latin roots, suffixes, and prefixes.

New York

6th Grade
Reading, Literacy Competencies - Use word structure knowledge, such as roots (e.g., Greek and Latin), prefixes, and suffixes, to determine word meaning.

7th & 8th Grades
Reading - Determine meaning of unfamiliar words by using structural analysis.

Texas

6th Grade
110.22 (b) (6) (B) - Use structural analysis to identify root words with prefixes such as dis-, non-, in-, re-, un- and suffixes such a -ness, -tion, -less, and –able.

7th-8th Grades
110.23 (b) (6) (B) - Use structural analysis to identify words, including
110.24 (b) (6) (B) - knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and prefixes/suffixes.

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