Prefix and Suffix Review with Jenga | Free Printables

Prefixes and suffixes are one of those skills that students need lots of practice and repetition with (in addition to seeing words with affixes while they are reading). This post shares an engaging prefix and suffix review that the students “play” with Jenga colored blocks.

Amazon affiliate links provided if you wish to purchase the Jenga blocks mentioned on this post.

Prefix and Suffix Review Materials:

For this review, you will need:

Colored Jenga blocks —> I buy the precolored ones from Amazon here.

Prefix and suffix review directions and word cards—> available for free at the end of this post

Basic Directions for Playing:

For the review, the students will select a word (you can choose from the included words in the free download or create your own word cards to best fit the needs of your students.) The students will then choose a color to move (by allowing free choice or having them roll a die included in most sets). Based on the color of the block, the students will answer or complete a task with the word on the card.

Here are the specific student directions:

Directions: Select a word card. Choose a block to remove. Complete the task that matches the color of the block that you want to remove with the word on the card. Repeat with each turn.

And here are the tasks by color:

Purple: Is the underlined word part a prefix or a suffix? How do you know?

Blue: What is the meaning of the underlined word part?

Green: Use what you know about the meaning of the word part and the root word to define the word.

Yellow: Use the word in a unique sentence.

Pink: Write another word using the same underlined affix (word part).

Red: Write another word using the same underlined affix (word part).

Note: Pink and red are the same task for two reasons: 1.) Generating new words with the same affixes is really important to show they truly understand not only the meaning, but the appropriate use of the affixes. 2.) It was difficult to come up with another task that was still related to understanding prefixes and suffixes and not just thrown in there as a filler.

Tips for Playing the Jenga Prefix and Suffix Review:

Tip 1: Have all of the students do the work at the same time (with their specific words and tasks based on the color they chose/rolled). After the work is complete, then have the students move their pieces one after another. This will keep all of the students on task and working.

Tip 2: Keep your groups as small as possible. Keeping the groups small prevents the Jenga blocks from toppling sooner. If you have multiple Jenga games, then you can have several games going on at a time. If you only have one Jenga game, then you could play this game at your teacher table or place it in a literacy center.

Tip 3: For extra accountability, have the students record their work the recording sheet included in the download or on a piece of paper.

Tip 4: Use the blank template to create words that are best suited for your students if the included words are too difficult/too easy. You can also use the template to create more words to play this game multiple times a year with different words/affixes each time.

How Can I Get this Jenga Prefix and Suffix Review for FREE?

Click here to download the directions pages AND word cards to use this prefix and suffix review with your students.

Want More Jenga Review Games?

Click here to check out my collection of FREE Jenga review games.

This prefixes and suffixes Jenga review would make a great whole-group game (if you have multiple sets of the Jenga blocks). However, it also works great as a literacy center. Click here for even more ideas for reading centers for 4th and 5th graders.