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      All of the /shun/ suffixes, including -tion, -cian, -sion and -ssion

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can spell words using all the /shun/ suffixes.

      Key learning points

      1. The most common spelling of the /shun/ suffix is -tion and these words often have a root word ending in ‘t’ or ‘te’.
      2. Words spelt with -sion often have a root word ending in ‘d’, ‘de’ or ‘se’ and can sound like /zhun/.
      3. Words spelt with -ssion often have a root word ending in ‘ss’ or ‘mit’.
      4. Words spelt with -cian often have a root word ending in ‘c’ or ‘cs’ and are used for professions.
      5. How to spell the curriculum words: potatoes, minute and breath.

      Keywords

      • Noun - a naming word for a person, place or thing

      • Root word - the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes

      • Suffix - a letter or group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning

      Common misconception

      Children may not know the meaning of some words reviewed, such a 'precision' or 'beautician'.

      Explain the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary by giving a simple definition and applying in the context of a sentence.

      Teacher tip

      Spend time matching root words to the nouns ending in a /shun/ suffix in order to help make connections between the words, which will, in turn, support spelling.

      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 word to the spelling of the /shun/ suffix it contains.

      Correct Answer:optician,cian
      Correct Answer:fraction,tion
      Correct Answer:permission,ssion
      Correct Answer:revision,sion

      Q2.
      Words spelt with -cian often have a root word ending in which letters?

      ss
      te
      t
      Correct answer: c
      Correct answer: cs

      Q3.
      Nouns which are professions are often represented using which spelling of the /shun/ suffix?

      tion
      sion
      ssion
      Correct answer: cian

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. He was a skillful muzishon.

      Correct Answer: musician

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Our television has broken so I called an electrishun.

      electrishun
      electrision
      electrition
      Correct answer: electrician
      electricain

      Q6.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. We were amazed when the majishun pulled a rabbit out of a hat.

      Correct Answer: magician

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the spelling of the /shun/ suffix to the clue that helps us spell it.

      Correct Answer:tion,root words end in t or te (the most common)
      Correct Answer:sion,root words end in d, de or se (can sound like /zhun/)
      Correct Answer:ssion,root words end in ss or mit
      Correct Answer:cian,root words end in c or cs (professions)

      Q2.
      Match the word beginning to the correct word ending to ensure each word is spelt correctly.

      Correct Answer:revi,sion
      Correct Answer:musi,cian
      Correct Answer:dona,tion

      Q3.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. We must take akshun now.

      Correct Answer: action

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. There was no diskushun about the event.

      Correct Answer: discussion

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. The mathmetishan could solve very complex problems.

      Correct Answer: mathematician

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the sentence. Her dessishun was final.

      Correct Answer: decision

      To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: All of the /shun/ suffixes, including -tion, -cian, -sion and -ssion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...