Grades 3–5
Suffixes: -ful, -less and -ness
Ten word meanings to turn into one word with -ful, -less or -ness, including happiness with its y to i.
Writing worksheet · Spelling and word sorts
Prefixes: dis-, mis- and pre-
Nine words to build with dis-, mis- or pre- from their meanings, like misspell and preheat.
- Grade level
- Grades 3–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Spelling patterns, Word study, Spelling rules and generalizations, Self-checking spelling
What kids do
“dis- means not or the opposite. mis- means wrongly. pre- means before. Circle the prefix that makes each word match its meaning.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Write a sentence with one of the new words. Spell the prefix carefully.
Teacher tip
Make a prefix chart: dis means not, mis means wrong, pre means before.
How to use it
- Read each word aloud and have kids repeat it before they write.
- Introduce the pattern with a short list on the board and underline it.
- Give a minute at the end to reread the work out loud to a partner.
Watch for
Kids who memorize words without the pattern. Ask them to spell a new word with it.
Talk about it
- Which word broke the rule?
- Where else do writers use this skill?
Take it further
Have kids hunt for the pattern in a library book and list what they find.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More spelling and word sorts
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Grades 1–2
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Eight word shapes to fill: kids match each word to its tall, small and tail letter boxes.
Grades 3–5
Homophones: Choose the Right Word
Ten sentences with to, two and too; there, their and they’re; hear and here; your and you’re; and its and it’s.
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