Spelling words with the suffixes "-ful" and "-less"
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can change the meaning of a word by adding the suffix -ful or -less.
Key learning points
- -ful and -less are suffixes that can be used to change the meaning of a root word.
- Some root words can use the suffixes -ful and -less.
- The -less and -ful suffixes start with a consonant, so the root word usually doesn’t change when the suffix is added.
- If the root word has more than one syllable and ends in a consonant +y, then ‘y’ is replaced by ‘i’ before the suffix.
- How to spell the curriculum words: reign and island.
Keywords
Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
Adjective - describes a noun
Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning
Noun - a naming word for a person, place or thing
Common misconception
All root words can take both suffixes -ful and -less.
Show a variety of words with suffixes -ful and -less. Choose ones familiar to the pupils and put into sentences to demonstrate the meaning.
Teacher tip
Show the children's actual misconceptions when giving feedback on spelling tasks and talk through the process of how to recognise what is correct based on the rules taught.
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What word class is the word in bold in this sentence? Chen was very careful that day.
Q2.Match the word to the suffix it contains.
-ly
-ful
-est
-ed
Q3.What rule is used when 'horrible' becomes 'horribly' when adding the suffix -ly?
Q4.What rule is used when 'greedy' becomes 'greedily' when adding the suffix -ly?
Q5.What rule is used when 'sad' becomes 'sadly' when adding the suffix -ly?
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. The number after seven is ate.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Identify all the words containing the suffix -ful.
Q2.Identify all the words containing the suffix -less.
Q3.What word class is the word 'painful' in this sentence? I had a painful cut on my arm.
Q4.Match the words to the rules that apply when the suffix -less or -ful is added.
Just add -ful.
Remove the ‘y’, then add -iful.
Just add -less.
Remove the ‘y’, then add -iless.
Q5.Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Queen Elizabeth had a very long rain.
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Across the waves they could see a beautiful illand.
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Spelling words with the suffixes "-ful" and "-less", download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Spelling words with the suffixes "-ful" and "-less", download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the More suffixes and silent letters unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.