Introduce students to the world of prefixes and suffixes with games they'll actually look forward to. These noun and adjective suffix games for -MENT, -LESS, and -NESS help students learn what each suffix means and how it changes a base word's use or part of speech in words like payment, colorless, and dizziness.
The games are aligned to Words Their Way: Word Sorts for Derivational Relations Spellers (3rd Edition), Unit 1, Sort 3, but they work alongside any word study or morphology program. They're designed for students at the beginning of the Derivational Relations stage, with words suited to upper elementary and early middle grades. Students may already know many of these words but haven't yet been challenged to see the connections between them through affixes.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Vocabulary Carnival Board Game (Partner Game)
Students take turns drawing cards and moving their pawns along the game board path, defining words and completing bonus vocabulary tasks along the way. The first player to reach the end wins.
- Teacher directions
- Vocabulary Carnival game board
- Game cards
- Student-friendly directions
- Recording sheet
- Answer key
Affix Spin & Fill-In (Independent Activity)
Students spin for a suffix or a clue, then find a sentence on the word board that needs that suffix and fill in the missing suffix to complete the word.
- Teacher directions
- 3 word boards
- 2 spinners with student-friendly directions
- Recording sheet
- Answer key
ALSO INCLUDED
- Black and white and color versions of everything
- Word list of all included words
- Answer keys for both activities
HOW THIS RESOURCE HELPS YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS
- Builds vocabulary and morphology skills along with spelling
- Sentence-based games show students how suffixes work in context
- Works for partner centers, small groups, early finishers, and independent practice
- Recording sheets build in accountability and quick assessment
- Uses the same game formats as the rest of Unit 1, so students don't have to learn new rules each week
- Ready to print and use with very little prep
Want every game in this unit? This game set is included in the Multisyllabic Words with Prefixes and Suffixes Unit 1 Derivational Relations Games Bundle, so you can get all of the Unit 1 games together and save.
ABOUT THE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS STAGE
This stage is where students begin connecting spelling with meaning on a deeper level. Typically spanning grades 4-6 and beyond, students at this level are proficient with foundational spelling patterns and ready to explore advanced word study concepts. Instruction focuses on prefixes, suffixes, derivational suffixes, consonant and vowel alternation, and the study of Latin and Greek roots. By analyzing how words are built, students strengthen spelling while expanding vocabulary and overall language skills.
NEED PRINTABLES FOR THE ENTIRE DERIVATIONAL RELATIONS LEVEL?
See the Derivational Relations Printable Bundle (contains all 4 resources)
Or, Shop By Activity:
- Word Study Notebook
- Word Searches
- Fill in the Blank Word List Activity
- Weekly Spelling Homework & Word Lists
Copyright © Tammy Roose, Tarheelstate Teacher.
The purchase of this resource gives the buyer permission to download and copy for single classroom use only. Electronic distribution is also limited to single classroom use. Copying for other teachers, school-wide use, or school systems is only allowed with the purchase of additional licenses.
