In order to become strong readers (and writers), students need to understand the meaning of words. Breaking words down into prefixes, suffixes, and roots/bases is a great way to help students understand how words are put together and what they mean. These free morphology posters (printable and digital!) will help your students (and you!) remember the most common prefixes, suffixes, and roots.
About the Prefix, Suffix, and Roots Posters – Multiple Versions
To help you use these prefixes, suffixes, and roots posters in your classroom, there are multiple versions included: three printable versions and two digital versions.
Printable Posters – Version 1
Version 1 is a color set of single-page posters covering one prefix, suffix, root or base per page in the formats listed below.
- Prefix + meaning + 3 examples
- Suffix + meaning + 3 examples
- Root + meaning + 1 example
- Base + 3 examples
Printable Posters – Version 2
The second version of the posters are identical to the first version except they are an ink-saving black and white set.
*Quick Tip – print each type of morpheme on different colored paper so you and your students can quickly identify if it is a prefix, suffix, root, or base.
Printable Posters – Version 3
Version 3 of the printable posters is great for saving space and ink. All sets are in black and white and have 3 mini-posters per page.
Each poster in this version includes:
- prefix/suffix/root + meaning + 1 example
- base + 3 examples
Digital Posters
Two versions of digital posters (via Google Slides) are also included. B
Both digital versions include an interactive main menu, as well as interactive menus for prefixes, suffixes, roots, and bases. All posters also have convenient “Menu” buttons that provide easy navigation through all of the slides.
Digital Posters – Version 1
The first version are digitally designed versions of the posters. These are great for projecting in your room or as a digital prefix, suffix, and roots reference resource for your students. They will work in present mode or edit mode when assigned to your students.
Digital Posters – Version 2
The second version of digital posters also includes an editable text box that allows students to add their own examples. This version of posters will work in present mode or edit mode, but must be in edit mode for the students to type in their own example prefixes, suffixes, roots, and bases.
Prefixes and Suffixes Included
Here is a complete list of the prefixes and suffixes included in the posters:
- anti-
- con-
- dis-
- en- em-
- ex-
- fore-
- il- im- ir-
- in-
- inter-
- mid-
- mis-
- non-
- over-
- pre-
- re-
- semi-
- sub-
- trans-
- un-
- under-
- -able -ible
- -en
- -er -or
- -ful
- -ian
- -ic
- -ion
- -ish
- -ist
- -ive
- -less
- -like
- -ly
- -ment
- -ness
- -ous
- -ship
- -ty
- -y
Roots Included
Here is a complete list of the Greek and Latin roots included in the posters:
- art
- astr
- aud
- bio
- cent
- cert
- chron
- cycl
- cred
- dict
- dyna
- graph
- hydra
- ject
- ped
- phon
- photo
- port
- rupt
- spec
- struct
- terra
- therm
- tract
- vac
Base Words Included
Here is a complete list of the base words included in the posters:
- help
- act
- joy
- pack
- grow
- learn
- collect
- behave
- love
- heat
- pain
- friend
- play
- build
- care
- hope
- read
- thank
- use
- watch
Ideas for Using the Prefixes and Suffixes Posters
Have students generate example words using the prefixes or suffixes to stick to or under the posters. They can choose one or more to use in the context of a sentence.
Have students work in small groups to come up with as many words as possible that contain the focus (or newly introduced) prefix or suffix.
Have students hunt for and collect words that use the prefixes and suffixes while they are reading. These can be written on sticky notes or index cards and taped under or on the prefix and suffix posters. If using the digital version with space for examples, students can type the examples in.
Challenge students to see how many words they can make by combining different prefixes and suffixes or multiple suffixes. For example, they might make the following words: unhappiness, cheerfully, carelessness, etc.
Have students create a keyword and illustration to show the meaning of the prefix/suffix. Students can work in pairs or groups and be assigned a root. The illustrations can be taped with the poster.
Print at a smaller size and use as flashcards or interactive notebook references.
Ask students questions where the answer is one of the affixes. Example: I am thinking of a prefix that means not. Which prefix could I be?
Ideas for Using the Greek and Latin Roots Posters
Here are some ideas for using the Roots Posters.
Have students generate example words using the roots to stick to or under the posters.
Have students create a keyword and illustration to show the meaning of the root. Students can work in pairs or groups and be assigned a root. The illustrations can be taped with the poster.
Use the roots to create word sums. Example: struct could be used to create con + struct + ion -> construction. Click here to read more about word sums and word matrixes.
Print at a smaller size and use as flashcards or interactive notebook references.
Ask students questions about roots where the answer is one of the roots. Example: Which root means water?
Ideas for Using the Base Posters
Use the example bases to show the difference between roots and bases (roots are bound morphemes and bases are free morphemes that can stand alone).
The bases may also be used for creating word sums (care + less + ness -> carelessness) or matrixes with the affixes. Using bases to start is easier than beginning with roots.
Get the FREE Prefix, Suffix, and Roots Posters Here!
Thank you!!!!
Such a fantastic resource! Thanks so much for sharing 😃
Thank you! This is amazing!
Hi there, I cant access the digital part. Do I have to have google slides to use the digital part?
Is there a way to make custom posters?
Such incredible resources, but how does one download the posters? I see a section that says “Get the FREE Prefix, Suffix, and Roots Posters Here!”, but I can’t seem to find the link to do that.
Hi Renee, there should be a form shown under that section for you to fill out with your email. If you still don’t see it, reply with your email and I will enter it for you.
Hi, these resources are fantastic but I can’t find the link to download them either. Nicole
Hi Nicole, do you see a section titled: Get the FREE Prefix, Suffix, and Roots Posters Here! There should be a form shown under that section for you to fill out with your email. If you still don’t see it, reply with your email and I will enter it for you.
Were you able to get the link to work?
I still can’t seem to find where to enter my email.
Thank you for sharing these great resources!
I had a copy of the morphology word wall posters, but my computer had to be sent to my tech department and many of my files were erased. I have tried to ask for them again on your website, but when I enter my email address and click on send, it just circles. Please help.
Hey! Can you send this in an email to jen @ jenniferfindley.com (no spaces) an we will get them emailed to you. Thanks for letting me know you had problems!
I love this resource and have had great success implementing them into my daily instruction. As I look forward in our curriculum, there are prefixes and roots that are not in the file. Is there a blank or editable slides where I can add the missing ones? I want to keep our interactive morphology wall looking beautiful!
Hi Courtney, yes, can you email me at jen @ jenniferfindley.com (no spaces) and we will send you one!