Our fourth grade spelling program focuses on prefixes and suffixes. Each student receives 8 words with either a prefix or suffix. Collectively, the class brainstorms to obtain more words with the same prefix or suffix. This helps student’s break down the meaning of words. Each student selects 7 words from the class prefix list for a total of 15 spelling words.
Lesson 1: Spelling Words
Select words using the following prefixes: dis- and dys- and words beginning with dif-. These prefixes modify a word and indicate away, not or negative.
Dis-, Dys-, & Words with Dif – | |||
---|---|---|---|
differ | differentiate | disagree | disconnect |
dismiss | disobey | dispense | dysfunctional |
Lesson 2: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, pro-. This prefix modifies words to indicate approving: in favor of, for, forward or positive.
Pro- | |||
---|---|---|---|
probable | proceed | projectile | prolong |
promotion | propel | prospect | protest |
Lesson 3: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, non-. This prefix modifies words to indicate not.
Non- | |||
---|---|---|---|
nondairy | nonfiction | nonprofit | nontoxic |
nonfat | nonhuman | nonsense | nonverbal |
Lesson 4: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, e- and ex-. This prefix modifies words to indicate out, away, out of or outside.
E- or Ex- | |||
---|---|---|---|
eject | emit | exhale | erupt |
exceed | extinguish | expand | exclude |
Lesson 5: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, in-. This prefix modifies words to indicate either (1) not: opposite of, e.g. inability or (2) in: within, into or toward, e.g. inject.
In- | |||
---|---|---|---|
include | inflate | inhale | inject |
inspect | inspire | instruct | invite |
Lesson 6: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, il-, im- or ir-. Similar to in-, these prefixes modify words to indicate either (1) not: opposite of, e.g. inability or (2) in: within, into or toward, e.g. inject.
Il-, Im- or Ir | |||
---|---|---|---|
illegal | illogical | immobile | impaired |
impede | irrational | irregular | irreversible |
Lesson 7: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, ab-. This prefix modifies words to indicate from: differing or away from.
Ab- | |||
---|---|---|---|
abduct | abrupt | absent | absolve |
absorb | abstain | abstract | absurd |
Lesson 8: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, de-. This prefix modifies words to indicate either (1) the opposite of or reverse or (2) down or away.
De- | |||
---|---|---|---|
decay | decline | decode | decrease |
deduct | dejected | depress | deport |
Lesson 9: Spelling Words
Select words using the suffix, -less. This suffix modifies words to indicate without or not having.
-Less | |||
---|---|---|---|
careless | helpless | homeless | meaningless |
painless | priceless | restless | useless |
Lesson 10: Spelling Words
Select words using the suffix, -ness. This suffix modifies words to indicate a state, quality or condition of something.
-Ness | |||
---|---|---|---|
boldness | cleverness | dampness | fondness |
foolishness | sadness | sickness | wilderness |
Lesson 11: Spelling Words
Select words using the suffix, -ist. This suffix modifies words to indicate a person who …, e.g., a person who practices a specific action (cyclist), a person who plays a musical instrument (pianist) or a person who specializes in a specific skill (geologist).
-Ist | |||
---|---|---|---|
artist | dentist | finalist | journalist |
naturalist | optimist | pessimist | specialist |
Lesson 12: Spelling Words
Select words using the suffix, -ful. This suffix modifies words to indicate either (1) full of or characterized by or (2) number or quantity that fills or would fill, e.g., spoonful.
-Ful | |||
---|---|---|---|
blissful | bountiful | cheerful | doubtful |
forgetful | harmful | meaningful | successful |
Lesson 13: Spelling Words
Select words using the suffix, -ion. This suffix modifies words to indicate either (1) the act or process, e.g., construction or (2) the state or condition, e.g., perfection.
-Ion | |||
---|---|---|---|
affection | cancellation | complication | donation |
excavation | exception | permission | translation |
Lesson 14: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefix, equi -. This suffix modifies words to indicate equal or equally. It is derived from Latin – aequi means “equal.”
Equi- | |||
---|---|---|---|
equal | equate | equation | equator |
equiangular | equilateral | equinox | equivalent |
Lesson 15: Spelling Words
Select words using the prefixes, bi- and tri-. The prefix, bi-, modifies words to indicate (1) two, e.g., bipartisan, (2) coming or occurring every two, e.g., bimonthly and (3) into two parts, e.g., bisect. The prefix, tri-, modifies words to indicate (1) three: having three elements or parts, e.g., triangle, (2) coming or occurring every three (3 times) e.g., trimonthly and (3) into three, e.g., trisect.
Bi- and Tri- | |||
---|---|---|---|
biplane | biped | binomial | binocular |
biweekly | bivalve | bilingual | tripod |
triad | triangle | trident | tricycle |
triage | triathlon | triceps |
This spelling program assigns specific words that each student should be able to spell correctly but it also allows each child to individually select spelling words that are important for him to study – ultimately creating a desire to learn how to spell correctly.
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