Word Parts as Clues
Use knowledge of common inflections and affixes (-ed, -s, un-, -er) as clues to the meaning of unknown words; understand how the prefix un- changes meaning
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“If your child sees an unfamiliar word like "unhelpful" or "jumped," can they use the beginning or ending of the word to work out what it means?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Use knowledge of common inflections and affixes (-ed, -s, un-, -er) as clues to the meaning of unknown words; understand how the prefix un- changes meaning
What to notice. Recognise that -ed signals past tense (e.g. 'jumped' = already happened) • Explain how un- makes a word mean the opposite (e.g. 'unhappy' = not happy) • Use word parts to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word
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If your child sees an unfamiliar word like "unhelpful" or "jumped," can they use the beginning or ending of the word to work out what it means?
Use knowledge of common inflections and affixes (-ed, -s, un-, -er) as clues to the meaning of unknown words; understand how the prefix un- changes meaning
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Check understanding
- Recognise that -ed signals past tense (e.g. 'jumped' = already happened)
- Explain how un- makes a word mean the opposite (e.g. 'unhappy' = not happy)
- Use word parts to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word
“If your child sees an unfamiliar word like "unhelpful" or "jumped," can they use the beginning or ending of the word to work out what it means?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Vocabulary
- Age range
- Ages 5–8
Standards