What does a beach ball have to do with prefixes and suffixes?
Then, add in some Sharpie markers. Beach ball + Sharpie markers = ???? Hmmm…..
Beach ball + Sharpie markers = a small group or whole class game to practice prefixes and suffixes! Super fun, and the students LOVE it!
I bought this beach ball at Dollar General, for $1, as you can see. I chose a handful of prefixes and suffixes my students knew and wrote them with Sharpie marker.
How to play:
1. Students toss the beach ball to each other. I have them call out the name of the person that they are tossing the beach ball to before actually tossing it.
2. The student that catches the ball, identifies the prefix or suffix that their left thumb lands on. This is the prefix or suffix that they will work with.
1. Identify the word part as prefix or suffix.
2. Give the meaning of the prefix or suffix.
3. Give an example of a word using the prefix or suffix.
4. Supply the definition of the example you have given.
5. Identify any spelling changes that occurred.
Tips for Differentiation
- Have all students supply an example on a marker board. If the student with the ball is stumped, they can ask for assistance.
- Partner up students when playing.
- Be sure to give the student with the ball think time.
Other Tips
- Have students stand. Once they have had a turn, they sit down. This way everyone gets a chance.
- Boys can only toss to girls and girls to boys.
Resources
Looking for ways to teach and implement the use of prefixes and suffixes into your classroom? Here are a handful of resources that will get you started and keep you going through the entire year! Click each image to learn more.
