New
New
Spelling words with the prefixes meaning not
I can spell a range of words with the prefixes un-, non-, dis-, mis-, in-, il-, im- and ir-.
Lesson 8 of 12
New
New
- Year 5
Spelling words with the prefixes meaning not
I can spell a range of words with the prefixes un-, non-, dis-, mis-, in-, il-, im- and ir-.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which changes its meaning.
- Adding a prefix does not alter the spelling of the root word.
- There are many prefixes that can mean ‘not’, including un-, dis-, in-, il-, im- and ir-.
- The prefix in- can also mean ‘in’ or ‘into’ and the prefix mis- usually means 'wrongly'.
- How to spell the curriculum words: immediate, immediately and disappear.
Keywords
Prefix - a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Antonym - a word that has the opposite meaning to another word
Common misconception
Children may think all words with the letters strings have prefixes.
Discuss words using the letter sequence but not as a prefix, e.g. disturb, imp and uncle. Reinforce the definition of 'root word' and 'prefix'.
Make sets of prefixes and words, hand them out and get children to find a ‘partner’. Break the pairs and ask them to find new partners. Each child keeps a note of words created until they have done as many as they can. Compare lists.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words to its synonym or meaning.
Match the words to its synonym or meaning.
Q2.Which words contain the prefix un-?
Which words contain the prefix un-?
funny
sun
Q3.Match the words that have the same root word.
Match the words that have the same root word.
Q4.What do the prefixes un-, non- and dis- usually mean?
What do the prefixes un-, non- and dis- usually mean?
wrongly
before
under
Q5.Match the words to their meanings.
Match the words to their meanings.
Q6.Select the correct spelling of the word.
Select the correct spelling of the word.
unhapee
unhapy
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the prefixes which can mean 'not'.
Select the prefixes which can mean 'not'.
pre-
super-
Q2.Match the root word to the correct prefix.
Match the root word to the correct prefix.
Q3.Select the correct spelling of the word.
Select the correct spelling of the word.
dissappear
dissapear
disapear
Q4.Select the correct spelling of the word.
Select the correct spelling of the word.
ilegal
illegle
Q5.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: She was quite imachure.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: She was quite imachure.
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: He was quite irisponsibel that day.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: He was quite irisponsibel that day.
