Are you searching for creative ways for teaching suffixes? This post provides materials, including activities for Google Slides, videos, anchor charts, and PowerPoints.
Expand your students’ vocabulary with this suffix lesson, featuring an organizer and digital resources! Designed for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders, these engaging activities cover spelling rules for the -able/-ible and -ion/-ation/-sion/-tion suffixes, making it perfect for upper elementary students.
Lesson Handout
This handout includes all suffix activities listed in this post.
Why Teaching Suffixes Matters
Mastering common suffixes can significantly boost students’ vocabulary. Just seven suffixes—-s/-es, -ed, -ing, -ly, -er/-or, -ion/-tion/-ation/-tion, and -ible/-able—account for 72% of all suffixed words. Teaching these essential suffixes is a must for upper elementary students.
This lesson introduces the rules for using variations of -ible/-able and -ion/-ation/-sion/-tion.
Suffix Rules
-able / -ible (can be done)
Rule 1: Use -able with root words that can stand alone.
Examples:
enjoy → enjoyable
value → valuable
like → likable
perish → perishable
Rule 2: Use -ible with root words that cannot stand alone.
Examples:
ed → edible
poss → possible
invis → invisible
terr → terrible
-ion / –ation / -sion / -tion (act of / state of / result of)
Rule 1: Use -sion if the suffix is pronounced “ZHUN.”
Examples:
collision
conclusion
Rule 2: Use -sion after the letters L, N, or R (pronounced “SHUN”).
Examples:
apprehension
conversion
compulsion
Rule 3: Use -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 suffix will be –ation.
Example:
applicate → application
Rule 5: Use -sion after root words ending in –mit or -ss.
Examples:
admit → admission
discuss → discussion
Suffix Activities
Activity #1 – Video Lesson
This mini-lesson introduces students to the suffixes -able/-ible and -ion/-ation/-sion/-tion. It’s a great vocabulary-building exercise for upper elementary and middle school students.
Start by watching the video explaining the rules for using these suffixes. Students then pause the video to complete either the digital or printable organizer. Once the organizer is finished, students can check their responses by continuing the video. This quick activity serves as a fantastic introduction to suffixes.
The activities are perfect for individual lessons and can be assigned through Google Classroom.
Activity #2 – Spelling Rules Anchor Charts with Flip Organizer
Students have trouble remembering how words change when suffixes are added. These anchor charts cover six spelling rules used when adding suffixes to words. The anchor chart pairs with the anchor charts covering the following rules:
- 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
Activity #3 – Interactive Anchor Chart
- Draw three to four vertical lines on flip chart paper to create columns.
- Label each column with a different suffix.
- Write base/root words that form real words when a suffix is added on sticky notes. Students place the sticky notes in the correct column.
- Use this as a group activity or for early finishers.
Activity #4 – Reference Anchor Chart
Create a chart displaying common suffixes with examples.
Activity #5 – Google Slide Practice
The Google Slide Practice activity is an interactive way for students to explore how suffixes can change a word’s part of speech. For example, adding the suffix “-er” to the verb “write” transforms it into the noun “writer.”
In this activity, students will complete charts by listing words that include specific suffixes such as “-able,” “-ance,” “-er,” “-fy,” “-al,” “-ly,” “-ish,” and “-ness.” Students will write a sentence with each word to demonstrate the word in context.
This exercise helps students identify suffixes and understand how they modify meaning and function in a sentence, reinforcing both vocabulary and grammar skills.
Activity #6 – Free PowerPoints
Download two free PowerPoints to help teach suffixes:
- PowerPoint #1: Ten slides where students choose the correct prefix or suffix to complete base words. Perfect for class participation, this slideshow covers both prefixes and suffixes.
- PowerPoint #2: A short, engaging PowerPoint designed as a hook activity. This five-question activity involves understanding prefixes and suffixes. It starts with a humorous note from Mom and builds student engagement from there.
Adding suffix lessons to your curriculum is a game-changer for boosting your students’ vocabulary and comprehension skills. With the activities in this post, your students will get a solid grasp of suffix rules, making it easier to decode and use new words confidently. From interactive anchor charts and Google Slide practice to video lessons and hands-on organizers, each activity makes learning suffixes fun and effective.
Don’t forget to download the free handout to access all these activities and materials easily. Whether you teach in the classroom or assign tasks through Google Classroom, these resources will equip your 4th, 5th, and 6th graders with the tools they need to master suffixes.
More Resources for Teaching Suffixes
If you’re looking for even more ideas and activities, you can explore additional resources on Teachers Pay Teachers or other educational platforms.
See the product that inspired this post.
Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots contains practice with 90 affixes and root words. This resource contains graphic organizers with accompanying video lessons, games, and printable practice to help students better understand affixes and root words.
