3.9 Explicitly Teach the Suffixes '-ful' and '-less'

Since the suffix '-ful' and suffix '-less' are opposites, like hopeful and hopeless, they're a great pair to teach together! They're also easy to add to base words because we do not need to worry about the 'e' drop rule (hope + -ful = hopeful). In this section we'll show you how to teach them together. 

The suffix '-ful' is a morpheme added to the end of a base word that means "full of." The word hopeful means full of hope. This suffix is usually easy to read but can be tricky to spell. Students often want to double the 'l' because of the FLoSS(Z) rule; but in this case, '-ful' is spelled with just one 'l'. The suffix '-ful' is a derivational suffix, which means that the part of speech changes for the word when the suffix is added. For example, the word beauty is a noun. When we add '-ful' to make beautiful, it changes to an adjective.

The suffix '-less' is a morpheme added to the end of a base word that means without. The word careless means without care. This suffix is typically easy for students to read and spell. The suffix '-less' is also a derivational suffix. For example, the word care can be a noun or a verb, and when we add '-less' to make careless, it changes to an adjective.

Say,

Today we are going to learn about two new suffixes. Remember that a suffix is something that we add to the end of a base word and it has its own meaning.

First, show the students the suffix '-ful' flash card. 

Say,

Students repeat,

The suffix 'f-u-l' says /fǔl/. It means full of.

Say,

The suffix '-ful' isn't spelled like the word full! How many 'l's do you see?

Students respond,

One

Say,

Yes! There is only one 'l' in the suffix '-ful'.

Write the word hope on the board. 

Say,

If I add the suffix '-ful' to this word, what is the new word?

Students respond,

hopeful

Say,

Yes, hopeful means full of hope. I am hopeful that today is going to be a great day!

Write the word use on the board. Have students read the word.

use

Now add the suffix '-ful' to the word. Ask students to read the new word.

useful

Write on the board: A pencil is a useful tool for writing. 

Have students read the sentence aloud together.

A pencil is a useful tool for writing.

Say,

The suffix '-ful' that is added to use tells me that something is full of use.

Write the following words on the board one at a time and have students read them aloud chorally: thank, harm, and care.

Then add the suffix '-ful' to each word and have students read the new words. Discuss how the meaning of the word changed when you added the suffix.

Now, show the students the suffix '-less' flash card. Say,

Students repeat,

The suffix 'l-e-s-s' says /lĭs/ and means without.

Write the word hope on the board. 

Say,

If I add the suffix '-less' to the word, what is the new word?

Students respond,

hopeless

Say,

Yes, hopeless means without any hope. It is hopeless! My mom is not getting me a pet snake! This means there is no hope that Mom will be getting me a pet snake.

Write the word help on the board. Have students read the word.

help

Now add the suffix '-less' to the word. Ask students to read the new word.

helpless

Write on the board: The small cat was helpless in the storm. 

Have students read the sentence aloud together. 

The small cat was helpless in the storm.

Say,

The suffix '-less' that is added to help tells me that the cat had no help in the storm. It was without help.

Write the following words on the board one at a time and have students read them aloud chorally: care, home, and price.

Then add the suffix '-less' to each word and have students read the new words. Discuss how the meaning of the word changed when you added the suffix. 

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