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English lesson plan · 1st grade (Year 2 in England) · 45 minutes

The prefix un- (unhappy, unlock)

Spelling

CCSS L.1.4.BCCSS L.2.4.BEngland: Y1 Spelling (prefix un-)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: The prefix un- (unhappy, unlock).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Adding -s, -ing, -ed and -er

Leads to: Prefixes un-, re- and pre- change the meaning

Materials: Word cards, Look-say-cover-write-check sheets, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Adding -s, -ing, -ed and -er). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which word fits? Yesterday I ___ (play). (playing / played / play / plays) → playedPrompt: Look at the time word: yesterday, right now or every day.
  2. Which word fits? Every day she ___ (play). (playing / play / played / plays) → playsPrompt: Look at the time word: yesterday, right now or every day.
  3. Which word fits? Right now I am ___ (spell). (spell / spelled / spelling / spells) → spellingPrompt: Look at the time word: yesterday, right now or every day.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a word spelled two ways and ask which looks right, then why.
  • Share the objective: The prefix un- (unhappy, unlock). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What does "unsafe" mean?
  • Step 1: The prefix un- changes a word to mean 'not' or 'do the opposite'.
  • Step 2: unsafe = un + safe
  • Step 3: So the answer is: not safe
  • Answer: not safe
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. What does "unkind" mean? (not kind / very kind / kind to animals / kind again) → not kindPrompt: Find the prefix and the root word.
  2. Which word makes sense? Mia felt ___ because she lost her favourite toy. (happy / unlock / unhappy) → unhappyPrompt: Read the whole sentence first.

You do: independent practice · 10 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which word makes sense? My laces came loose, so I had to ___ them and tie them again. (tie / untie / unkind) → untiePrompt: Read the whole sentence first.
  2. What does "unwell" mean? (not well; ill / well again / well before / very well) → not well; illPrompt: Find the prefix and the root word.

Watch out for

  • Spelling every word exactly as it sounds.
  • Learning a list for a test but not using the words in writing.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Adding -s, -ing, -ed and -er.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Prefixes un-, re- and pre- change the meaning.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-1.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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The prefix un- (unhappy, unlock)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Add the prefix un- to "cover". Type the new word.

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    What does "unlock" mean?

    • A. lock it again
    • B. do the opposite of lock
    • C. lock it before
    • D. lock it twice

  3. Question 3

    Which word makes sense? The tent was too big for the car, so we had to ___ the boxes.

    • A. pack
    • B. unpack
    • C. untidy

  4. Question 4

    Add the prefix un- to "tidy". Type the new word.

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    What does "unpack" mean?

    • A. put things in a bag
    • B. pack it before
    • C. take things out of a bag
    • D. pack it again

  6. Question 6

    Which word makes sense? My laces came loose, so I had to ___ them and tie them again.

    • A. tie
    • B. untie
    • C. unkind

  7. Question 7

    Which word makes sense? Use the key to ___ the door.

    • A. lock
    • B. unwell
    • C. unlock

  8. Question 8

    Add the prefix un- to "do". Type the new word.

    Answer

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Answer key: The prefix un- (unhappy, unlock)

  1. 1. uncover

  2. 2. B. do the opposite of lock

  3. 3. B. unpack

  4. 4. untidy

  5. 5. C. take things out of a bag

  6. 6. B. untie

  7. 7. C. unlock

  8. 8. undo