Write the title "Prefix Chart" on the top of a sheet of paper. Draw seven columns on the paper using the ruler. Label each column from left to right with the following headings: Word, Prefix, Meaning of Prefix, Root Word, Meaning of Word, New Word and Meaning of New Word.
Write a list of commonly used prefixes in the prefix column. Check grammar textbooks or online resources to complete your list. Include common prefixes that you are most familiar with such as: pre, post, un, re, semi and sub.
Write the meanings of each prefix in the next column. For example the meanings for the prefixes listed in Step 2 would be: pre (before); post (after); un (not); re (again); semi (part) and sub (below).
Complete the column of words by writing words that begin with each prefix listed. Use the dictionary if you cannot think of words on your own, but do not yet read the definition of the words used.
Write the root form of the words in the appropriate column. Write a meaning for the word. Check the dictionary definition to determine whether you were correct.
Change the prefix to a different one to form a new word, if possible, and write the new word in the "New Word" column. For example, for the prefix "pre" and the word "prenatal," you could add the prefix "post" to the root "natal" to form the new word, "postnatal." Write a meaning for the new word in the last column and check the dictionary for correctness.
Browse some print material, a textbook, newspaper, magazine article or novel and select words that begin with prefixes you recognize. Add these new words to your prefix chart.
Write the title "Suffix Chart" on the top of a sheet of paper. Draw eight columns on the paper using the ruler. Label each column from left to right with the following headings: Word, Part of Speech, Suffix, Root Word, Meaning of Word, New Word, Meaning of New Word and Part of Speech for New Word.
Write the following rule on the top of your chart: "There are two categories of suffixes. The first category of suffix are added to verbs and change the tense, but not the meaning or part of speech. These include 'ed' and 'ing.' In the second category are suffixes that do change the meaning and part of speech, such as 'er' which changes the verb 'sing' to the noun 'singer.'"
Browse some print material, a textbook, newspaper, magazine article or novel and select words that end with suffixes you recognize. Include words that end in "ed" and "ing" as these will be easier to recognize and work with. Check the dictionary for any words you are not sure about.
Write these new words on your suffix chart in the first column and identify the part of speech for the word in the second column. Write the root form of the word and the meaning of the word in the appropriate columns. Check the dictionary for correctness.
Change the suffix to a different one to form a new word, if possible, and write the word in the "New Word" column. For example, for the suffix "ed" and the word "whistled," you would add the suffix "ing" to the root "whistle" and form the new word, "whistling." Write a meaning for the new word in the appropriate column and the part of speech in the last column. Check the dictionary for correctness.