CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.4b

ELA2nd GradeVocabulary Acquisition and Use

The Standard

Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell).

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify a familiar word inside a longer word. They use the added prefix, such as un- or re-, to work out the new meaning.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can split words such as unhappy and retell into a prefix and base word. They can define the new word and explain how the prefix changes the meaning.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat the prefix and base word as one whole word instead of separating them. They may confuse un- with re-, or think every word beginning with those letters has a prefix.
How to Assess It: Give students this exit ticket: “If wrap means to cover something, what does unwrap mean? Circle the prefix and explain your answer.”

Lesson moves

Give pairs prefix cards, base-word cards, and sticky notes, then have them build words and write each new meaning.
Ask students to explain in writing how reread differs from read and how unhappy differs from happy.
Play Prefix Match, where students match un- and re- word cards to meaning cards, then read each completed pair aloud.
Show everyday directions such as refill, untie, and rewrite, then have students act out each word and identify the prefix.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.4b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

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