Are you looking for some activities for teaching suffixes? Check out these free materials including activities for Google Slides, videos, anchor charts, and PowerPoints.
Teaching students some common suffixes can increase their vocabulary tremendously. The suffixes -s/-es, -ed, -ing, -ly, -er/-or, -ion/-tion/-ation/-tion, and -ible/-able account for 72 percent of suffixed words. Teaching these 7 suffixes is a must. This first activity goes over the rules for using variations of -ible/-able and -ion.
To prevent readers from becoming lost in a tackle of links going all over the Internet to each activity that I mention in the post, I have created this pdf file with links to all prefix activities or resources.
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
Suffix Rules
-able -ible (can be done)
Rule 1 – Use the suffix -able with root words that can stand alone.
Examples
enjoy > enjoyable
value > valuable
like > likable
perish > perishable
permit > permissible
Rule 2 – Use the suffix -ible with root words that CANNOT stand alone.
Examples
ed > edible
poss > possible
invis > invisible
gull > gullible
terr > terrible
-ion , -ation –sion , -tion (act of/ state of/ result of)
Rule 1 – Use the suffix -sion if the suffix is pronounced ZHUN.
Examples
collision
conclusion
Rule 2 – Use the suffix -sion after the letters L, N, or R.
Examples (pronounced SHUN)
apprehension
conversion
compulsion
Rule 3 – Use the suffix -tion when the root word does not end in L, N, or R.
Examples
action
edition
Rule 4 – If the word ends with -ate the ending will be ation.
Example
applicate > application
Rule 5 – Use the suffix -sion after root words ending in -mit or -ss.
Examples
admit > admission
discuss > discussion
Free Root Words Activities
This lesson introduces students to the suffixes -able/-ible and -ion/-ation/-sion/-tion. This mini-lesson is a vocabulary-building exercise for upper elementary and middle school students.
In this mini-lesson, students watch the video. The video goes over the rules for using the different variations of -able/-ible and -ion/-ation/-sion/-tion. Next students pause the video to complete either the digital or printable organizer. After completing the organizer, students continue watching the video to check their responses. This mini activity is a great introduction to a lesson on suffixes.
Activities in this free series are set up as individual lessons making them great to assign through Google Classroom. Click here to download the free activities from Google Drive.
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
Do you need more suffix activities? Check these out.
Activity #1 – Activity for Google Slides
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
Activity #2 – Three Anchor Chart Ideas
Students enjoy anchor charts. Use them as a reference, as an interactive activity, or to model information that should be written on a foldable organizer. This section shows examples of all three of these. Be sure to click on either the last illustration or the link in the paragraph below it to receive the free printable organizer.
Teach Suffixes using an Anchor Chart – Idea #1 (Reference)
Anchor Chart Idea #2 (Interactive)
- Using large flip chart paper, draw three to four vertical lines to form columns.
- Label each column with one suffix.
- On sticky notes, write base or root words that form real words when added to one of the suffixes listed on top of the anchor chart. Note: Start For beginners, use base words that form only one real word. For example, piano only forms a real word when the suffix -ist is added. Pianoible, pianoion, and pianor are not real words.
- Students place the sticky notes onto the anchor chart in the column that forms a real word when the suffix is added.
Try this activity using with small groups, as part of a learning center, or as an early finisher project.
Anchor Chart Idea #3
(Pair Anchor Charts with a Foldable Organizer for Interactive Notebooks)
Students have trouble remembering how words change when suffixes are added. This staggered flip organizer reviews six spelling rules. The rules include the following:
- doubling the final consonant
- dropping the final e
- when to keep the final e – first rule
- when to keep the final e – second rule
- changing y to i
- when not to change y to i
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
Activity #3 – Teach Suffixes with these Free PowerPoints
Click on the images to download these two free PowerPoints.
PowerPoint #1 
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
Each of the ten slides asks a single question. Students determine which prefix or suffix to add to the base word to answer the question. The teacher then clicks to reveal the answer. The slides include five prefixes and five suffixes. Add, delete, or change the slides to fit the needs of your students. Also easily change the prefixes and suffixes to the ones you are teaching.
PowerPoint #2
Get the pdf with all links to resources here.
This short PowerPoint was created as a hook activity for a lesson. It starts with a note Mom leaves about what snack you, the reader, are allowed to have. It contains just five-question slides. Students must understand the meanings of the prefixes and suffixes to answer the questions. Again, adapt this PowerPoint to fit the needs of your students.
Activity #4
This lesson is a free sample from my Vocabulary Digital + Printable Interactive Video Lessons & Organizers on TPT.
