3.4 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 're-'

The prefix 're-' is a morpheme that means "back" or "again." When you add 're-' to a verb or adverb, it shows that the action is being done again or repeated:

• re + play = replay (to play again)

• re + heat = reheat (to make warm again)

• re + write = rewrite (to write again)

When teaching prefixes, we usually don't teach students that the prefix makes a specific sound. That's because the pronunciation can change depending on the base word. For example, 're-' can be pronounced /rē/, like in rewrite, or /rĕ/, like in reference.

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

• the prefix 're-'

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 're-' flash card. 

Say,

This is the prefix 're-'. 

The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."

Repeat.

• The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."

Students repeat,

The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."

Write the word mix on the board. 

Say,

If I add the prefix 're-' to the word mix, what new word do I get?

Students respond,

remix

Say,

Yes, remix, like in the sentence: “I needed to remix the pancake batter.” The word remix has the prefix 're-', which tells us that I needed to mix the batter again.

Let's say the word again together. 

Students repeat,

remix

Say,

What is the prefix in this word? 

Students answer,

're-'

Hold up your prefix 're-' card again. 

Say,

Remember, unlike our letter, pattern, 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 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 say with this card. The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."

Say and have students repeat,

The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."

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

test, pack, think

Then add the prefix 're-' 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 're-' (opens in new window). You'll find dictation practice in the lesson plan and an explanation of how this works in the section called Dictating Words with Prefixes.