Teach prefixes and suffixes as word parts separate from the root word. One way to do this is to use flash cards with word roots and a different set of flash cards with prefixes and suffixes. Place the prefixes and suffixes in front of and after word roots to transform the meaning. You must teach word meanings (write them on the backs of the flash cards) so that students can deduce the meaning of the new word once they know the meaning of each individual part. For example, in teaching the word altimeter, the root is "meter" (meaning measure) with the prefix "alt" (meaning high). Students can then deduce that the new word describes a tool used to measure height. Keep the same root card and change the prefix to "centi" (meaning hundred) so that students can deduce that the new word describes one hundred units of measure.
Give students a certain word root, such as "-archy" (meaning chief, first or rule) and have them brainstorm all the words they can that have the same word root. Students can work in pairs to create a list, or work individually with white boards in competitive format. Words like "monarchy," "archetype," and "architect" all include this same word root. Ask the students to identify what these words have in common and how understanding the root contributes to understanding these particular words.
Create vocabulary flip books using words with the same root. Instruct students to draw a picture that demonstrates the root meaning and incorporates each word. For example, if the word root assigned is, "-scop," the student could draw a microscope with microscopic creatures beside a telescope. Instruct students to create at least 10 pages with 10 different word roots to develop word root recognition.
Create a quiz game with increasingly more difficult words that include roots from Latin, Greek, French and Old Norse. Give your students a list of root words if they haven't already had practice learning them. There should be categories that group the words, such as "counting roots," and "body parts." That way, students guessing the meanings for "cerebral" and "cerebellum," or "decagon" and "octagon" have a place to start when giving their answer.