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      The /shun/ suffixes, including -cian

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can spell words using the suffix -cian.

      Key learning points

      1. The /shun/ suffix can be spelt -tion, -sion, -ssion or -cian.
      2. Words ending in the suffix -cian are nouns and a profession.
      3. Words spelt with -cian often have a root word ending in ‘c’ or ‘cs’.
      4. How to spell the curriculum words: eighth, weight and knowledge.

      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

      Pupils spell the ending of professions 'cion'.

      Focus on the difference between -ion and -ian endings. Say the word how it's spelt to reinforce this: mu -si -ci -an.

      Teacher tip

      Present a variety of words ending in /shun/ suffixes and allow the pupils to spot all those which are professions, to reinforce this learning point.

      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:politician,cian

      cian

      Correct Answer:exploration,tion

      tion

      Correct Answer:disucussion,sion

      sion

      Correct Answer:revision,sion

      sion

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

      Correct answer: ss
      t
      Correct answer: mit
      te
      d

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: That was an interesting discushon.

      discusion
      Correct answer: discussion
      discushun

      Q4.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: You need purmishon to come on this trip.

      permision
      permition
      Correct answer: permission

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: They saw a faymus artist at the museum.

      famus
      fameous
      Correct answer: famous
      famuous

      Q6.
      Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Try to imajin you are on a desert island.

      Correct Answer: imagine

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the word to the spelling of the /shun/ suffix it contains.

      Correct Answer:magician,cian

      cian

      Correct Answer:station,tion

      tion

      Correct Answer:permission,ssion

      ssion

      Correct Answer:revision,sion

      sion

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

      Correct answer: c
      mit
      de
      Correct answer: cs
      ss

      Q3.
      Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: She was a skilful muzishon.

      Correct answer: musician
      musicion
      musision

      Q4.
      Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: Our lights have broken so I called an electrishun.

      Correct Answer: electrician

      Q5.
      Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: As there are 8 of us, we can each have one ayth of this cake.

      Correct Answer: eighth

      Q6.
      Write the correct spelling of the word in bold in the sentence: What is the wait of this bag of apples in kg?

      Correct Answer: weight

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