Enquiring into Prefixes

We began by discussing what we already knew about prefixes and then had a few minutes to create a list of as many prefixes we already knew.

After sharing our list with our partner, then tried to see if you knew the meanings of those prefixes.  Some of us could and others not.  This helped as a good, quick informal assessment of where we are at. 

Previously, I found prefixes that are used in both English and French.  I figure if they are also used in French then it would make it more interesting when they find possible connections with other languages.  Being a Latin language, I guessed they might make discoveries in the other latin languages (Italian, Portuguese, Spanish & Romanian).

The prefixes we had a choice of were: 

°  uni- 
°  auto -
°  bio -
°  sur -
°  anti - 
°  dis -  

The children chose a prefix they had an interest in enquiring into and thus our groups were formed. 


We used the Google slideshow (below) as a guide to structure our word enquiry.

Step 1:  Write as many words as you can that begin with that prefix as possible.

Step 2:   Look at the words.  Make a hypothesis of what you think the meaning of the

prefix is.

Step 3:  Use the WORD SEARCHER to find other words that begin with the prefix.

(Make sure it is a prefix)

Step 4 : Use etymology online to find the history, meaning and language connections

of the prefix.

Step 5:  Sort all your words into groups and explain the reason for the group.

Step 6:  Find out if other languages also use that prefix and record what you find with

examples.

Our prefix word enquiries:

We discussed this group's theory of SURF being a prefix or not.  If it was a prefix, we thought that F would have to be a base word which didn't make sense to us.  Another student shared that prefixes have meanings so that is another way we know if it is a prefix or not.   

Discussing theories like these that pop up help us all with our understandings. 

The following day, we reflected together on what we had discovered about prefixes:

After presenting our enquiries, we then made word sums by visiting other groups' word enquiry posters.   To do this, we noted what the meaning of the prefix was and then found a few words that group had created that we actually knew and then used different coloured textas to break the word up.

Sample: 

Prefixes Enquiry Google Slideshow