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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can spell words using the suffix -ary.

      Key learning points

      1. The suffix -ary often turns words into nouns or adjectives.
      2. Some words end in -ary with no clear root word.
      3. Thinking about word families can help with understanding meanings and spelling.
      4. When the root word ends in 'e', remove the 'e' and add the suffix -ary.
      5. How to spell the curriculum words: believe, complete and guide.

      Keywords

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

      • Adjective - describes a noun

      • 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

      • Word family - a group of words common in feature, pattern or meaning.

      Common misconception

      Children may not understand the difference on where you can and cannot find a root word.

      Show examples of where an obvious root word can support spelling. Words without an obvious root word need to be practised.

      Teacher tip

      Place all words into a sentence to give meaning.

      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 the correct word class.

      Correct Answer:digging,verb

      verb

      Correct Answer:bright,adjective

      adjective

      Correct Answer:Birmingham,noun

      noun

      Correct Answer:rapidly,adverb

      adverb

      Q2.
      Identify the adjective in the following sentence. The mysterious cat slipped out of sight.

      Correct answer: mysterious
      cat
      slipped
      sight

      Q3.
      Match the word to the suffix it contains.

      Correct Answer:simplify,-ify

      -ify

      Correct Answer:organise,-ise

      -ise

      Correct Answer:fitness,-ness

      -ness

      Correct Answer:heroic,-ic

      -ic

      Q4.
      Tick the suffixes which often create adjectives when added to words.

      Correct answer: -er
      -tion
      -ise
      Correct answer: -est
      Correct answer: -ic

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold in this sentence. I had a metalick taste in my mouth.

      metalik
      Correct answer: metallic
      metalic
      metallik

      Q6.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold in this sentence. Historyk buildings lined the streets.

      Historyc
      Historick
      Correct answer: Historic
      Hystoric

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      When the word 'vision' becomes 'visionary' what rule is applied?

      Correct answer: Just add -ary.
      Remove the 'e', then add -ary.

      Q2.
      When the word 'imagine' becomes 'imaginary' what rule is applied?

      Just add -ary.
      Correct answer: Remove the 'e', then add -ary.

      Q3.
      Match the words to the rules that apply when the suffix -ary is added.

      Correct Answer:bound - boundary,Just add -ary.

      Just add -ary.

      Correct Answer:prime - primary,Remove the 'e', then add -ary.

      Remove the 'e', then add -ary.

      Q4.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold in the following sentence: You must compleat your home learning every week.

      compleet
      Correct answer: complete
      complet
      compleate

      Q5.
      Choose the correct spelling for the word in bold in the following sentence: I bileave you can do it if you try your best.

      beleive
      beleav
      beleave
      Correct answer: believe

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Follow the star, it will be your gide.

      Correct Answer: guide

      To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Adding the suffix -ary, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...