Friday, March 20, 2009

Don't Suffer if You're Stuck on Suffixes!

This week the students learned the meaning of the most frequent suffixes used. They learned just as in a prefix, a suffix is a group of letters that change the meaning of a root word. However, suffixes are added to the end of a word.

-ly (doing something in a certain way) ie. sadly (doing something in a sad way)
-less (without) ie. hopeless (without hope) endless, homeless, careless, thoughtless
-ness (being) ie. darkness, kindness, greatness, brightness, happiness
- ful (full of) ie. truthful (full of truth) beautiful, peaceful, careful
-er (someone who does) teacher, driver, boxer, singer,
-est (comparing meaning the most) ie. kindest, softest, loudest, quietest,

However, they also found out there are plenty of new rules to learn as well when using them! Rules for: CVC doubling, Silent E, and words ending with 'y'.

1. CVC-Consonant doubling: If you add a suffix that starts with a vowel, and it is a CVC word, double that last consonant. (run+er=runner)
2. Y RULE-Changing y to i:When the suffix starts with a vowel and there is a consonant before the ‘y’, drop the ‘y’ add i (happy+est=happiest, fly+=flier)
- Vowel+y just add the suffix-play+er=player
3. SILENT E- When a word ends in silent e, take out the silent ‘e’ and add the suffix if it starts with a vowel (er, est, ing) ie. make+ ing=making
-If suffix starts with a consonant,(ness, ful, less) just add suffix.
ie. Hope+ful=hopeful

Oh the English Language is always full of such crazy rules! Here is a website that does a great job explaining each rule and it also provides examples.
Suffix Rules
Suffix Jeopardy

Remember, the homework and the morning work sheet your child brings home on Monday is a review of what we are learning. You can always check that for any clarification.

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