Prepare the supplies for this activity ahead of time. Gather two wooden cubes or a pair of dice in different colors, 12 circle-shaped labeling stickers and chart paper. You'll be using one of the cubes for prefixes and the other for suffixes so you'll need to create a list of six prefixes and six suffixes. Write each of these on the labeling stickers and stick the prefixes and suffixes on each side of their respective cubes. Then, write a list of 20 to 25 base words on your chart paper. These base words should be those that your students can already read and spell but might be having trouble spelling and pronouncing once a prefix or suffix is added to them.
This activity will be very beneficial if you're able to recognize and keep track of the prefixes and suffixes your students are having trouble with. Don't solely use prefixes and suffixes that are very difficult for your students but, rather, choose at least two prefixes and two suffixes that your students are generally comfortable with. The other four should include the most difficult ones you've taught to date. You want to inspire confidence in your students and show them that the more difficult suffixes and prefixes are not so different from the ones they have already mastered.
Place the chart paper up on the board so it's visible to the entire classroom. Have each of your students take out a piece of paper and a pencil. To begin the lesson, choose one student, pass them the die and have them roll both at once. Then, the student will read aloud the prefix and suffix they got. Direct your students to write down the prefix and suffix on their own paper while the student writes them out on the chalkboard. The student will then choose one of the base words and write that word with their prefix and then, beside it, with their suffix. Cross off the base word the student chose from the chart paper and move on to the next student.
The most important part of the activity is how you implement the lesson. Before your student begins constructing the word with their prefix and suffix, ask your classroom to do so on their pieces of paper. You will walk around the room to monitor them and, once most are finished, direct your student to write out the words on the chalkboard. When this has been done, ask your student to read the words he's created and ask him what the words mean. This will help the students understand what each prefix or suffix means and how they transfer that meaning to a base word. If they're having trouble, ask the classroom to contribute their thoughts to help the student along.