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Year 3 - English

Spelling words with the prefixes "dis-", "non-", "mis-" and "un-"

Prefixes, homonyms and homophones

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn spelling and grammar conventions associated with prefixes meaning 'not', like dis-, non-, mis- and un-, as well as the spelling of homophones, homonyms and some compound words.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to change the meaning of a word by adding the prefixes dis-, non-, mis- and un-.

Key Notes

  • A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which creates another word.
  • un-, non-, dis- and mis- can be added to the beginning of a word without changing the spelling of the root word.
  • The prefixes un-, non- and dis- usually mean not.
  • The prefix mis- usually means wrongly.
  • How to spell the curriculum word: question.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • root word: the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes
  • prefix: a letter or group of letters added to the start of a root word to change its meaning

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Children can often misspell words with prefixes as they spell them how they sound.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

A prefix is a letter or group of letters at the start of a word which creates another word. un-, non-, dis- and mis- can be added to the beginning of a word without changing the spelling of the root word.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'root word'

the base word from which other words are formed often by adding prefixes or suffixes.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Children can often misspell words with prefixes as they spell them how they sound. Correction: Help children to recongise when a word has a prefix and use that to support this with spelling, e.g. the prefix mis- has one 's'.

More Lessons In This Unit

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