Phonics pattern

Prefixes: un-, re-, pre-, dis-

A prefix is a word part added to the start of a base word that changes its meaning: undo, retell, preset, dismiss. Like suffixes, prefixes are read as chunks, which makes long words much less daunting.

Spellings: un-, re-, pre-, dis-

How to teach it

Teach the prefix and its meaning (re- means again), with a few words the student can explain.
Read words by covering the prefix, reading the base, then the whole word. Build new words by adding the prefix to known bases.
Dictate words prefix first, then base. Read sentences and ask what a prefixed word means in context.

Practice words

Read them across, then down. Point under each word as it is read.

unfold
unkind
unfair
unsafe
unplug
undo
redo
retell
replay
rewind
retake
reuse

Decodable sentences

Please unpack your bag and refill your cup.
It is unsafe to run by the pool.
Can you retell the story?

Spoken warm-ups

No print. Say the prompt; the student answers aloud. Sounds are written between slashes.

Spoken warm-ups for Prefixes: un-, re-, pre-, dis-
You say	The student says
Say ‘kind’. Add /un/ to the start. What word?	unkind
Say ‘redo’. Say it without /ree/.	do
Say ‘retell’. What is the prefix?	re

Common errors

Reading the prefix as part of the base (retell read as ret-ell). Draw a line after the prefix.
Reading re- with a short e. In most common prefixed words it says /rē/; model it.
Using a prefix that does not fit the meaning (unagree). Talk about meaning; it is a vocabulary skill as much as a phonics one.

Which lessons teach this

If you teach UFLI Foundations, this pattern comes up in these 4 lessons. Teach from your own manual.

Literacy Trail is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute. It contains no UFLI lesson content, only lesson names and order.

Questions people ask

Are these words from an assessment?

No. The practice words, sentences and warm-ups here are written for teaching and are kept separate from the words in the Literacy Trail assessments, so practicing never teaches the test.

When is a student ready for prefixes?

When they read and spell the pattern before it (suffixes) accurately and without prompting, most of the time. Keep reviewing earlier patterns for two minutes a session while the new one settles.

How long should practice take?

A few minutes a day beats one long session a week. Read the word list once or twice, dictate three or four words, and read a sentence or two. Rate how it went and bring the pattern back on a short schedule if it is shaky.

Plan sessions for this pattern automatically

Start the 15-day free trial and add a student. When they reach prefixes, Literacy Trail plans the sessions for it automatically, and a Needs support or Developing rating brings it back for review.

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