2nd GradeActivityReading20–25 minutes

Prefix Power

Skill taught: Identifying and using common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, mis-) to determine word meaning

A second-grade vocabulary activity that teaches learners to identify and use common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, mis-) to unlock the meaning of new words.

Subject

Reading

Type

Activity

Free printable
Time

20–25 minutes

Estimated

Materials Needed

  • β€’Printed activity pages
  • β€’Pencil

Directions

  1. 1.Review the four target prefixes and their meanings: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), mis- (wrongly).
  2. 2.For each base word, add the prefix and write the new word.
  3. 3.Write a definition for each new word using the prefix meaning as a clue.
  4. 4.Use each new word in an original sentence.
  5. 5.Challenge: find 2 more words with each prefix in a book or magazine.

Parent Teaching Tip

Teaching prefixes as meaning units β€” not just spelling patterns β€” is the key to vocabulary growth. A child who knows that "un-" means "not" can decode hundreds of unfamiliar words independently.

Skill Progression

Prerequisite skill

Reading and writing base words; basic vocabulary strategies

This resource

Prefix Power

Next skill

Suffixes; root words; context clues for vocabulary

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