Fall in Love with Prefix and Suffix Games

Let’s face it– students love video games. Heck… some days I love video games too. If you don’t believe me, there is a lot of research out there that explains how game theory applies to school. They argue that, if students are willing to stay up past midnight trying to defeat an evil boss on a video game, we should draw out that sense of determination in the classroom.

Because prefixes and suffixes are my favorite topic to teach, I knew I wanted to add games to this subject. My favorite quote about learning is an old Finnish proverb:

“Those things you learn without joy you will forget easily.”

I strongly believe that if my students enjoy the process of learning, the knowledge will stick with them longer. Enter… My first-ever prefix and suffix game. I had three goals:

-to have my students review prefixes and suffixes 
-to have my students increase their independent work ability
-to survive and thrive in another day of digital learning

Why Google Slides is the Best Option for Prefix and Suffix Games:

Why Google Slides?

-I wanted to make this an online game.
-My students are comfortable with it.
-Students are able to click through questions and try again if they answer any incorrectly.

This means that students work independently, and the game encourages them to retry problems until they achieve mastery. Game theory, applied to prefix and suffix games!

I also made sure to create a worksheet so that students can show their thinking.

The basics of prefix and suffix games:

1. I assign the game through Google Classroom
2. Students open the Google Slide game on their own device 
3. Students answer 20 questions in their online prefix and suffix game
4. If students make a mistake or get a question wrong, the game will prompt them to try again 
5.  Students simultaneously record their work on a paper worksheet, if I want to grade this activity later.

Games for prefixes and suffixes translates to fun

. . . in the eyes of my students. When my students are engaged in an activity, they are more likely to retain the material. More importantly, my students are empowered by this kind of
work.

The best part of playing a game in class is what clicks with students emotionally. When a student gets an answer wrong on a worksheet, do they shut down, or do they try again? The benefit of playing a game is that the students want to try again. 

Digital prefix and suffix games transport students

. . . beyond the four walls of my classroom.

When I chose an Under-the-Sea theme for my Google Slides prefix and suffix game, I intentionally chose a colorful and fun atmosphere for my students to review their prefixes and suffixes. 

To summarize… students gain more than “just a game” with a prefix and suffix activity:

• They gain independence and perseverance as they work through problems on their own
• The teacher is more of a guide on the side than a sage on the stage 
• They are able to focus on specific strategies for word analysis 
• Prefixes and suffixes become less of a burden and
• Prefixes and suffixes become more of a source of joy 

The prefixes and suffixes I focus on are: re, un, mis, dis, -ed and -er. Not only are these are developmentally appropriate for 3rd and 4th graders, also because those six affixes are the backbone for 1,400 English words. 

Prefixes and suffixes can aid a student’s understanding of vocabulary tremendously. Over half of English prefixed words have the prefixes: re, un, dis, mis.

By understanding the fundamental meaning of these four prefixes, students have multiplied their vocabulary! More importantly, teaching prefixes and suffixes increases a student’s ability to analyze words.

I personally love prefixes and suffixes because students can make CONNECTIONS– one the most rewarding aspects of teaching!

The prefix and suffix video game bundle has the three basic types of prefix and suffix questions:

1. Build a word
2. Word analysis
3. Reading Comprehension Questions

Students get to play a reading comprehension video game while practicing their prefixes and suffixes.

In this game, students are reading about Under the Sea animals in reading comprehension passages with a focus on developing vocabulary by analyzing prefixes and suffixes.

This game can be played through Google Slides or PowerPoint.

There are 5 video games in our Prefix and Suffix Series. This resource focuses on

strengthening vocabulary through reading passages that have prefixes and suffixes.

Note: This product also comes with a printable version of the worksheet so students can practice Reading Comprehension skills. This could double as a handout in class.

The prefixes and suffixes included in this Reading Comprehension product are: Re, Un, Mis, Dis, -ed, -er.

There are challenging words such as: Resurfacing, Disguising, Misunderstood, Unlike, Located.

PREVIEW the VIDEO to see how EASY it is for students to use this Prefix and Suffix Video Game to practice their Reading Comprehension.

Use this Prefix and Suffix Reading Comprehension Game to keep your students engaged during distance learning or classroom learning.

The Prefix and Suffix Reading Comprehension Video Game can be assigned to students through google slides, a google folder, or an emailed link.

The PowerPoint version can be played on any computer that has PowerPoint installed.

Students click on the correct answer to advance through the Prefix and Suffix Reading Comprehension Video Game to show their understanding of the prefixes and suffixes while building their vocabulary. If the student answers incorrectly, they are given an error message and an opportunity to try again.

A printable version is included so parents and teachers can print the worksheets and have students write the answers.

An Answer Key is included.

Inside the zip file, you will find 2 files. There are 4 parts total in this product:

1) A page that links to the 10-question Google Slides game

2) A PowerPoint version of the game.

3) A 10-page printable that also serves as a Student Work page

4) A 10-page answer key

Please Note: Students MUST click PRESENT or else the video game won’t work.

Your students will get plenty of practice with vocabulary and reading multisyllabic words with this 10-question Prefix and Suffix Reading Comprehension Video Game.

Please note:

• You will need a FREE Google Account OR PowerPoint to access these files.

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