English Language Arts and Reading.4.2.A.v

The student is expected to

demonstrate and apply phonetic knowledge by:

 

decoding words using knowledge of suffixes, including how they can change base words such as dropping e, changing y to i, and doubling final consonants; and

beginning reading writing teks talk image

Knowledge and Skills Statement

Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking--beginning reading and writing. The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell.

Have students work in small groups to read sentences that include words with suffixes, including words in which the base word changes such as dropping e, changing y to i (e.g., have/having, cry/cried), and doubling final consonants (e.g., step/stepping, spot/spotter). Students should identify words with suffixes while reading aloud and note the words in which adding the suffix requires a change to the base word. While students are working, monitor student groups, provide feedback, and identify students who may require additional support.
 

Further Explanation

This assessment requires students to have phonetic knowledge of and experience examining word parts (base word + suffix) to correctly decode words with suffixes. Additionally, students should have experience with words that require a spelling change when a suffix is added (e.g., have to having). This knowledge is acquired through practice and experience with reading words with a variety of suffixes. Observe and document whether students accurately apply phonetic knowledge while decoding the words. This type of word work can occur in all modalities to support all learning styles.

a linguistic unit, or word, that can stand on its own and have meaning; it can be modified by adding prefixes and/or suffixes to form related words (e.g., teach in teacher; mark in remarking)
Decoding words means sounding words out according to letter-sound relationship conventions. In reading, this concept refers to word identification rather than word comprehension.
When students demonstrate phonetic knowledge, they are not creating written content that incorporates an understanding of phonetic principles, but rather reviewing content and determining how the principles have been applied. Students will do this when decoding words they encounter in various formats, from activities in the classroom to stories they read for pleasure.
Suffixes are groups of letters that are added to the end of a word to change the word's meaning. For example, the word enjoyable consists of the suffix -able (which means "can be done") combined with the base word enjoy. Thus, the word enjoyable means "able to be enjoyed." Students should understand how the use of a suffix changes a base word.

Research

1. Kieffer, M. J., & Lesaux, N. K. (2007). Breaking down words to build meaning: morphology, vocabulary, and reading comprehension in the urban classroom: when it comes to teaching vocabulary, a little knowledge (of root words, prefixes, and suffixes) goes a long way. The Reading Teacher,  61(2), 134+. Retrieved from  https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A169960879/PROF?u=tea&sid=PROF&xid=1af4396d. 

Summary: The authors describe the challenges faced by students who have limited academic vocabulary. These students struggle with comprehension as texts increase in complexity. When teachers implement a balanced classroom approach that combines explicit instruction with decoding strategies, students will increase vocabulary skills. The authors break down the meaning of morphology and apply it to instruction.

2. Yurtbasi, M. (2015). Building English vocabulary through roots, prefixes and suffixes. Online Submission. Global Journal of Foreign Language Teaching. 5(1), 44–51. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?q=Nature+and+function+of+proposals+in+collaborative+writing&pr=on&ft=on&id=ED579889

Summary: Researchers consider that a strong vocabulary contributes to learner success and consider this specifically for English learners. They focus on building a strong vocabulary through teaching specific Latin roots and their English derivatives, affixes, prefixes, and suffixes.