3.6 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 'dis-'

The prefix 'dis-' is a morpheme that means "not" or "opposite of." When you add 'dis-' to a base word, it changes the meaning of the base to its opposite:

• dis + connect = disconnect (not connected)

• dis + appear = disappear (the opposite of appear)

Unlike some prefixes, the prefix 'dis-' is generally stable and is usually pronounced /dĭs/, as in disobey. 

When we teach the prefix 'dis-' or talk about it with our students, we spell it out: "the prefix 'd', 'i', 's'." It sounds like this:

• the prefix 'd-i-s'

Now it's time to teach!

Say,

Today, we are going to learn another new prefix. Remember, prefixes come before a base word and hold meaning.

Show the students the prefix 'dis-' flash card. 

Say,

This is the prefix 'dis-'. 

The prefix 'd-i-s' means "not" or "opposite of."

Repeat.

• The prefix 'd-i-s' means "not" or "opposite of."

Students repeat,

The prefix 'd-i-s' means "not" or "opposite of."

Write the word like on the board. 

Ask,

If I add the prefix 'dis-' to the word like, what is the new word?

Students answer,

dislike

Say,

Yes, dislike, like in the sentence, “I dislike eating broccoli." The word dislike has the prefix 'dis-', which tells us that I do not like eating broccoli.

Hold up your prefix 'dis-' card again. 

Say,

Remember, unlike our letters, patterns, and suffix cards, we don't say what the prefix “says” when we do the flash cards, because the sound can change depending on the base word it's added to. When we see a prefix card, we will spell the prefix and say the letter names.

Watch and listen to what we will say when we see this card. The prefix 'dis-' means "not" or "opposite of."

Say and have students repeat,

The prefix 'dis-' means "not" or "opposite of."

Write the following words on the board one at a time and have students read them aloud chorally: 

trust, miss, band

Then add the prefix 'dis-' to each word and have students read the new words. Discuss how the meanings of the words changed when you added the prefix. 

Try the Reading Universe's lesson plan! 
This explicit teaching example aligns with the Reading Universe printable printable lesson plan for the prefix 'dis-' (opens in new window). You'll find dictation practice in the lesson plan and an explanation of how this works in the section Dictating Words with Prefixes.