Ways to Differentiate the “Perfect Squares” Word Components:
1. Prefix Primer: For students who need a firmer understanding of how prefixes attach to full words, create another set of base words (whole words that prefixes can be added to) in another color, and have students match them to prefixes:
Suggested base words: read, cover, do, dress, marry, pack, write, appear, run, make, build
Suggested prefixes: un, dis, re
2. One Prefix, Many Words: Generate words from a given prefix: Students see how many roots they can match to a single prefix. First, brainstorm these on the board. Then, use the squares to have students create words for a given prefix. Each group works on a different prefix; then, switch prefixes from group to group and see how the set of roots matches to a new prefix.
3. Last Word Standing: Half the class has a prefix; half has root. Students are instructed to “find a friend and make a word. Stand together as a word. Be ready to explain your word. (Confirm what you think it means by using a dictionary.) “Roots” move to the left. Now, see if you have a legitimate word with new partner. If you don’t have a word, sit down. Last word standing is the winner!
4. Base Runners: Four students, each holding a different prefix, form a baseball diamond. “Runners” hold roots. Runners make a “base” when their root matches the prefix held by the baseman. If the runner matches to all three bases plus home base, that is a homerun!
5. Master List: Make up a master list of all the possible words that can be formed by the prefixes and roots in the set. (This is available in your directions kit). Give students an even number of prefixes and roots. As they put together words on the list, they check off the words.
Follow up all of these activities with an explicit lesson on one word selected by a member of the class.