Study guide: Prefixes, Suffixes, Contractions and Smooth Reading
Apply read a prefix meaning, read a suffix meaning, expand a contraction, choose a meaningful phrase pause using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly.
- A suffix follows a base. -er can name a person who does something, -ful means full of, -less means without and -ly often turns an adjective into an adverb.
- A contraction shortens one word or combines words with an apostrophe marking omitted letters. Don’t expands to do not, I’m to I am, we’re to we are, and can’t to the single written word cannot. Expand the actual form before deciding its meaning.
- Fluent reading groups words by meaning. A short pause after an introductory time phrase can help a listener, while chopping between every word disrupts the idea.
Useful vocabulary
- Read a prefix meaning
- A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly.
- Read a suffix meaning
- A suffix follows a base. -er can name a person who does something, -ful means full of, -less means without and -ly often turns an adjective into an adverb.
- Expand a contraction
- A contraction shortens one word or combines words with an apostrophe marking omitted letters. Don’t expands to do not, I’m to I am, we’re to we are, and can’t to the single written word cannot. Expand the actual form before deciding its meaning.
- Choose a meaningful phrase pause
- Fluent reading groups words by meaning. A short pause after an introductory time phrase can help a listener, while chopping between every word disrupts the idea.
Watch your reasoning
- A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.
- The -er in taller compares; it does not name a person.
- Its without an apostrophe is a possessive form.
- A pause is not a reason to omit the next word.
A worked review example
Prefix word: reread. Suffix word: teacher. Contraction: don’t. Sentence: After lunch, we read. Read a prefix meaning: The relevant input states: Prefix word: reread. This fits again. A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly. A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix. Read a suffix meaning: The relevant input states: Suffix word: teacher. This fits person who does it. A suffix follows a base. -er can name a person who does something, -ful means full of, -less means without and -ly often turns an adjective into an adverb. The -er in taller compares; it does not name a person. Expand a contraction: The relevant input states: Contraction: don’t. This fits do not. A contraction shortens one word or combines words with an apostrophe marking omitted letters. Don’t expands to do not, I’m to I am, we’re to we are, and can’t to the single written word cannot. Expand the actual form before deciding its meaning. Its without an apostrophe is a possessive form. Choose a meaningful phrase pause: The relevant input states: Sentence: After lunch, we read. This fits after the introductory time phrase. Fluent reading groups words by meaning. A short pause after an introductory time phrase can help a listener, while chopping between every word disrupts the idea. A pause is not a reason to omit the next word.
Make a practice plan
- Practice read a prefix meaning: Read the base and prefix separately. Combine their meanings and verify the complete word against the supplied definition.
- Practice read a suffix meaning: Locate the ending and state how it changes the base meaning. Read the new word aloud as one complete word.
- Practice expand a contraction: Say the contraction, expand it into its two-word or full negative form and compare the spelling.
- Practice choose a meaningful phrase pause: Find the time phrase before the main action. Read that group together, pause briefly and read the main clause.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.