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      Using the suffixes -cian, -sion and -ssion to represent /shun/

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

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

      Key learning points

      1. If the word is a profession, the noun will generally end in "-cian".
      2. If the root word ends in "ss" or "mit", remove the "ss" or "t" and add "-ssion".
      3. If the root word is a verb ending in "se" or "de", remove the "se" or "de" and add "-sion".
      4. If the root word ends in "c" or "cs", remove the "c" or "cs" and add "-cian".
      5. How to spell the curriculum words: possession, occasion and occasionally.

      Keywords

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

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

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

      Common misconception

      Some pupils may not know the related root word or see how they are connected.

      Put the /shun/ word and the associated root word into a simple sentence to help secure their meaning. This will help pupils see the connections in meaning and spelling between the words.

      Teacher tip

      Allow pupils to investigate the spelling patterns. Give them word cards with a range of /shun/ spellings on them, ask pupils to decide how to group the words and explain the rationale for it. Ask them to say the word in a full sentence and identify the root word to support.

      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 root word to the related noun ending in -tion.

      Correct Answer:admire,admiration

      admiration

      Correct Answer:found,foundation

      foundation

      Correct Answer:determine,determination

      determination

      Q2.
      What rule is used when 'calculate' becomes 'calculation' when the suffix -ation is added?

      Just add the suffix.
      Remove ‘e’, then add the suffix.
      Correct answer: Remove ‘ate’, then add -ation.

      Q3.
      Words using the -tion spelling for /shun/ often have a root word ending in which letters?

      d, s or e
      Correct answer: t or te
      c or cs
      th or ti

      Q4.
      Match the words to the spelling of the /shun/ suffix they contain.

      Correct Answer:musician,-cian

      -cian

      Correct Answer:discussion,-ssion

      -ssion

      Correct Answer:explanation,-tion

      -tion

      Correct Answer:division,-sion

      -sion

      Q5.
      Select the nouns.

      famous
      sweetest
      Correct answer: happiness
      Correct answer: celebration
      Correct answer: community

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'Petrol cars create polushun.'

      Correct Answer: pollution

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the suffixes to the clues that helps determine the correct spelling of the /shun/ spelling in words with these suffixes.

      Correct Answer:tion,root words end in t or te (the most common)

      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/)

      root words end in d, de or se (can sound like /zhun/)

      Correct Answer:ssion,root words end in ss or mit

      root words end in ss or mit

      Correct Answer:cian,root words end in c or cs (professions)

      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:divi,sion

      sion

      Correct Answer:musi,cian

      cian

      Correct Answer:pollu,tion

      tion

      Q3.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'You must make a disishun.'

      Correct Answer: decision

      Q4.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I would like to have a discushun with you.'

      Correct Answer: discussion

      Q5.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'I would like to become an elektricion when I'm older.'

      Correct Answer: electrician

      Q6.
      Correct the spelling of the word in bold in the following sentence: 'You must jump in without hezitasion!'

      Correct Answer: hesitation

      To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Using the suffixes -cian, -sion and -ssion to represent /shun/, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...