Skill Explainer
3.4 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 're-'
Prefixes Skill Explainer
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:
Now it's time to teach!
This is the prefix 're-'.
The prefix 're-' means "back" or "again."
Repeat.
