Kentucky Reading and Writing RF.3.3.a

ELA3rd GradeReading Foundational Skills

The Standard

RF.3.3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding and encoding words.

Identify, decode, encode and know the meaning of words with the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes, including Latin suffixes.

Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing (2025) · Phonics and Word Recognition

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students find common prefixes and suffixes, read the whole word, and spell it from dictation. They use parts like un-, -able, and -tion to work out meanings.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student reads and spells unfair, readable, and protection. They explain that unfair means not fair and that protection names the act of keeping someone safe.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think re- in rest means “again,” even though rest has no prefix. Others say -tion as “tee-on” or spell protection as protectshun.
How to Assess It: Show unfair and protection. Ask students to read them aloud and mark un- and -tion, then hide the words and dictate them for students to spell and define.

Lesson moves

Give pairs cards labeled fair, play, enjoy, read, un-, re-, -ment, and -able; have them build, read, spell, and define four words.
Ask, “How does replay differ from play, and what does protection mean compared with protect?” Have students write two explanations.
Play word-part bingo: call out “not fair” or “able to be read”; students cover unfair or readable, then spell the word.
Post a recycling sign reading “Reusable bags reduce waste”; students read reusable, mark re- and -able, and explain the sign.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to RF.3.3.a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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

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