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Practise and apply spelling words with the prefixes "de-", "re-", "sub-" and "super-"

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can spell words using the prefixes de-, re-, sub- and super-.

Key learning points

  1. The prefixes de-, re-, sub- and super- can be added without changing the spelling of the root word.
  2. Spotting a ‘word in a word’ is a useful practice strategy.
  3. How to spell the curriculum word: continue.
  4. The prefixes de- can mean undo and re- can mean again.
  5. The prefix sub- can mean under and super- can mean above.

Keywords

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

  • Prefix - a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning

Common misconception

Not all words have a word hidden in a word.

Show that this is a useful strategy to use when you can spot a word in a word, but it isn't always suitable.

Teacher tip

As pupils build up their strategies to support independent practice, encourage them to identify which strategy may be useful dependent on the unique challenge of the word as well as their own preferences. Model your thought process to support this.

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 prefix to its meaning.

Correct Answer:de-,undo

undo

Correct Answer:re-,again

again

Correct Answer:sub-,under

under

Correct Answer:super-,above

above

Q2.
Select the words containing the prefix re-.

Correct answer: reappear
Correct answer: recycle
care
aware
Correct answer: rebuild

Q3.
Select the words containing the prefix de-.

Correct answer: decompose
spade
Correct answer: deflate
played
Correct answer: de-ice

Q4.
Select the words containing the prefix sub-.

Correct answer: submarine
husband
bus
Correct answer: subtropical
Correct answer: subheading

Q5.
Select the words containing the prefix super-.

Correct answer: supermarket
supper
super
Correct answer: superhero

Q6.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. Yesterday, the helper gided us around the museum.

gided
guideed
Correct answer: guided
gideed

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the suffix it contains.

Correct Answer:replay,re-

re-

Correct Answer:submerge,sub-

sub-

Correct Answer:supersonic,super-

super-

Correct Answer:declutter,de-

de-

Q2.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. My train might be deelade.

delayd
dilayd
Correct answer: delayed
dilayed

Q3.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. I need to ripear my broken bag.

ripear
Correct answer: repair
ripear
repear

Q4.
Choose the correct spelling of the word in bold. I like to shop at the soopurmarket.

suppermarket
soupermarket
Correct answer: supermarket
supermarkit

Q5.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: They had to reebild the supermarket after the storm.

Correct Answer: rebuild

Q6.
Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: Kontinyoo straight down the road.

Correct Answer: continue

To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Practise and apply spelling words with the prefixes "de-", "re-", "sub-" and "super-", download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...