3.3 Explicitly Teach the Prefix 'un-'

The prefix 'un-' is the most common prefix in the English language. We add it before a base word, and it means "not" or "the opposite of." You can add the prefix 'un-' to:

• adjectives
  un + lucky = unlucky (not lucky)

• verbs
  un + lock = unlock (the opposite of lock)

• adverbs
  un + fairly = unfairly (the opposite of fairly)

Unlike some prefixes, the prefix 'un-' is generally stable and is usually pronounced /ŭn/, like in unfold or unhappy.

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

• the prefix '-un'

Now it's time to teach!

Say,

Today we're going to learn about something new called a prefix. We've been learning about suffixes, which come after a base word and hold meaning. Prefixes come before a base word and also hold meaning.

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

Say,

This is the prefix 'un-'. 

The prefix 'un-' means "not" or "the opposite of."

Repeat.

• The prefix 'un-' means "not" or "the opposite of."

Students repeat,

The prefix 'un-' means "not" or "the opposite of."

Write the word lock on the board. 

Say,

If I add the prefix 'un-' to this word, what new word do I get?

Students respond,

unlock

Say,

Yes, unlock, like in this sentence: "I will unlock the door." The word unlock has the prefix 'un-', and the prefix 'un-' tells us that unlock means it's not locked.

Let's say the word again together. 

Students repeat,

unlock

Say,

What is the prefix in this word?

Students respond,

'un-'

Hold up your prefix 'un-' flash card again. 

Say,

Unlike with our letter, pattern, and suffix cards, we don't say what the prefix “says” when we show the prefix card, because the sound of a prefix can change depending on the word we add it 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 'un-' means "not" or "the opposite of."

Say and have students repeat,

The prefix 'un-' means "not" or "the opposite of."

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

zip, pin, ring

Then add the prefix 'un-' to each word and have students read the new words. Discuss how the meaning of the word 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 'un-' (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.