English lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes
Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-
Vocabulary
CCSS L.4.4.BEngland: Y3/4 Spelling (prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti-, auto-)England: Y3/4 Vocabulary
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-.
- 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: What does the prefix mean? (mis-, over-, non-, pre-, dis-)
Leads to: Greek and Latin word parts: tele, graph, port, aqua, scope; Make verbs with -ify, -ise/-ize, -ate and -en; Verb prefixes de-, dis-, mis-, over- and re-
Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (What does the prefix mean? (mis-, over-, non-, pre-, dis-)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What does "disconnect" mean? (undo the connection / connect before / connect too much / connect again) → undo the connectionPrompt: Split the word into prefix + root.
- Use the clue in brackets. Which word fits? Unplug the tablet to ___ it from the charger. (undo the connection) (disconnect / reconnect / misconnect) → disconnectPrompt: Read the clue in brackets.
- Type the new word. Add a prefix to "behave" to make a word that means "behave badly". → misbehavePrompt: Which prefix has that meaning?
Hook · 5 min
- Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
- Share the objective: Prefixes sub-, inter-, super-, anti- and auto-. 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 "submarine" mean?
- Step 1: These prefixes come from Latin (sub-, inter-, super-) and Greek (anti-, auto-).
- Step 2: So the answer is: a ship that travels under the sea
- Answer: a ship that travels under the sea
- 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.
- What does "antifreeze" mean? (a liquid between two layers / a very cold liquid / a liquid that freezes quickly / a liquid that works against freezing) → a liquid that works against freezingPrompt: Find the prefix and think about what it means.
- Which prefix completes the word? ___septic (fights against germs) (inter / super / anti / auto) → antiPrompt: Read the clue in brackets.
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.
- Which prefix completes the word? ___graph (your own signature) (sub / inter / anti / auto) → autoPrompt: Read the clue in brackets.
- What does "automatic" mean? (working between machines / working against itself / working under water / working by itself) → working by itselfPrompt: Find the prefix and think about what it means.
Watch out for
- Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
- Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: What does the prefix mean? (mis-, over-, non-, pre-, dis-).
- 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: Greek and Latin word parts: tele, graph, port, aqua, scope; Make verbs with -ify, -ise/-ize, -ate and -en; Verb prefixes de-, dis-, mis-, over- and re-.
- 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-4.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder