3.5 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 'non-'

The prefix 'non-' is a morpheme that means "not." When you add the prefix 'non-' to a base word, it creates a new word that is the opposite of the base word:

• non + fiction = nonfiction (not fiction)

• non + sense = nonsense (not making sense)

• non + stop = nonstop (not stopping)

Unlike some prefixes, the prefix 'non-' is generally stable and is usually pronounced /nŏn/, like in nonfat or nonstick.

When we teach the prefix 'non-' or talk about it with our students, we spell it out: "the prefix 'n', 'o', 'n'." It sounds like this:

• the prefix 'non-'

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 'non-' flash card.

Say,

This is the prefix 'non-'. 

The prefix 'non-' means "not."

Repeat.

• The prefix 'n-o-n' means "not."

Students repeat,

The prefix 'n-o-n' means not.

Write the word stop on the board. 

Say,

If I add the prefix 'non-' to the word stop, what is the new word? 

Students answer,

nonstop

Say,

Yes, nonstop, like in this sentence: “We went nonstop on our busy day." The word nonstop has the prefix 'non-', which tells us that we were so busy we did not stop.

Let's say the word again together. 

Students respond,

nonstop

Ask,

What is the prefix in this word?

Students answer,

'non-'

Now, grab your prefix 'non-' flash card. 

Say,

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

Watch and listen to what we'll say when we see this card: The prefix 'non-' means "not."

Say and have students repeat,

The prefix 'non-' means "not."

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

slip, fat, stick

Then add the prefix 'non-' to each word and have students read the new words. Discuss how the meaning 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 lesson plan for the prefix 'non-' (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.