Select words from the spelling list or words given previously and mix up the letters in a random order. Box one letter in the words to make a new word at the end. Tell the students to unscramble the words and give the hint that it is from their spelling words. If the students unscramble all of the words, a secret message appears from the letters in the boxes. Alternatively, teachers can give hints, such as the meaning of a word, and have students find the word.
Once students understand the basics of what a prefix is, teachers can give assignments for students to make words with prefixes that are not necessarily on their spelling list. This helps students learn to think about the meaning of the prefix and put together words based on the prefix meaning rather than using only rote memorization of the words. Teachers can use this as a class activity and have students speak the words or can give it as an assignment to write out ten words using the prefix.
The teacher writes out several prefixes on a note card and then shuffles the cards and lays them face down. The teacher then holds up the cards one at a time. The students must shout out a word using the prefix. The winner of the round is the first to give a correct prefix word.
Assign the students to make up their own words using the prefixes they've learned. For example, if they've learned the prefix "non" means something is not, they can make up their own "non" words. The students might make up words that are in the dictionary or they might make up a new word, as long as the prefix is the start of the word.