Our learning tools can be used with ANY core curriculum!
A word matrix is a powerful tool that demonstrates the interrelation of structure and meaning of written word families. We know the twenty most common prefixes and suffixes (affixes) account for >95% of all prefixes and suffixes in words. When students see how these affixes connect to bases and roots, they can begin to understand how our language is built. A matrix can be used starting in Kindergarten with bases such as “swim” or “play”. More advanced students can use Latin and Greek roots.
This Word Work Board is designed to be used with our Letter/Sound Magnets. We also recommend combining with both our Prefix & Suffix Magnets and Greek & Latin Roots Magnets.
The columns on the front of the board are designed for teaching students morphology. Students create a base word using either magnets or dry erase markers and build upon that word by adding prefixes and suffixes. For example, if the base word is “play” students can create words such as replay, replaying, replays, playful, or playing etc.
Morphemes are the building blocks of words. Morphology can help us understand the structure of how words are built. Learning the meanings and spellings of prefixes, suffixes and roots simplifies the study of English. Consider “multi”, which means “many”. We can create a multitude of words that share this root, for example: multicultural, multilingual, multifaceted, multilevel, and multitrack. The goal of teaching students prefixes, suffixes, bases and roots in isolation is so they can use this knowledge when they read and write words.
The inside is color coded to easily organize our Letter/Sound magnets (sold separately). It includes spaces for the following:
- Digraphs
- R-Controlled Vowels
- Vowel Teams
- Diphthongs
- Suffixes
- Units
- Alphabet (including silent e and y as a vowel)
- Doublets
Students can build words directly on the board, in the workspace, while utilizing the lined space below to write the word.
On the back, lined spaces can be used to record the words that have been built so students can visually see the word patterns. When laid out flat with the Prefix/Base Word/Suffix columns above it, students can use magnets to create words in the columns and dry eraser markers to write them on the lines below.
The board:
- Unfolds to 18″ x 12″, and closes to a compact 9″ x 12″ when folded.
- Is magnetic receptive
- Is designed to be used in conjunction with our
- Letter/Sound Magnets
- Prefix & Suffix Magnets
- Greek & Latin Root Magnets
- Can be used with dry erase markers, and easily erases and wipes clean.
Pictured magnets are sold separately.
