Spell Words with Suffixes -ic, -ism, -ive
A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word to change its meaning or part of speech. For example, adding -ic to the noun atom changes the noun form to the adjective form, atomic. Before adding -ic or -ive to a word that ends in e, drop the e. For example, narrate becomes narrative.
SPELLING WORDS
Change the words by adding the suffix in parentheses. Use what you learned about suffixes to spell each word correctly.
1. hero (-ism) 2. secret (-ive) 3. history (-ic)
4. real (-ism) 5. artist (-ic)
Complete each sentence with the correct form of the word in parentheses. Spell correctly.
1. In science class, we used microscopes to view the (organ) . 2. Their leader sent a (represent) from the (execute)
office to attend the ceremony.
3. This (narrate) is about how the prince’s (hero)
actions rescued the village from a (drama) downfall.
heroic dramatic organism deflective
heroism artistic capitalism executive
comic historic federalism perspective
atomic tourism secretive narrative
kinetic realism defensive representative
Spell Words with Greek Roots
Many words in English include the common Greek roots chron, meter, photo, bio, and geo. Sometimes a letter is dropped from or added to the root to form the new word.
Alphabetize the words. Spell each word correctly.
Use the words below to complete the definition. Spell correctly.
synchronize geography
speedometer geology
chronological symmetry
biosphere photogenic
1. is the study of Earth.
2. A is an instrument for measuring speed.
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SPELLING WORDS
meteorology parameter symmetry photocell
photocopy chronology geocentric biosphere
ecology symbiotic chronological speedometer
geometric photogenic odometer geology
synchronize geography chronic photon
Spell Words with Vowel Teams
Vowel teams are two or three letters that together make one sound.
• The same sound can be spelled using different vowel teams. (meet, meal)
• The same spelling can have different sounds. (grown, brown)
• Diphthongs and some digraphs are types of vowel teams.
Underline the vowel teams.
ai:
au:
ay:
ea:
ee:
eu:
oa:
oi:
oo:
ou:
ow:
oy:
proclaim
Sort the words according to vowel team. Spell each word correctly.
SPELLING WORDS
zealous cowardice treasury allowance
bayonet realm zeal concealment
royalty embroider typhoon treachery
committee nautical marshmallow approach
leukemia gauntlet flounder proclaim
Spell Words with -able, -ible
When a word includes the word part -able or -ible, there are no sound cues to show you which way to spell the ending. Practice writing the words to remember which form to use. Adding -able or -ible as a suffix to a base word may require a spelling change.
Base Word Changes Word with Suffix
dispose drops e disposable
certify drops y and adds i certifiable
Alphabetize the words. Spell the words correctly.
For each of the following words, write its base form: noticeable, forcible, perishable, justifiable.
SPELLING WORDS
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advisable compatible accountable allowable
noticeable workable producible irritable
admissible forcible considerable combustible
reducible justifiable credible perishable
available digestible tangible edible
Spelling Words with VCe Syllables
VCe syllables can appear at the end of multisyllabic words. In most cases, the first vowel sound is long, and the e at the end is silent. For example, in the word remote, the VCe syllable pattern is ote. The o is long and the e is silent.
Underline the VCe syllable pattern in each word.
Read the word aloud. Write whether the vowel sound in the VCe syllable is a long a, long e, long i, long o, or long u.
Alphabetize the words. Spell each word correctly.
SPELLING WORDS
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1. devastate 2. prosecute 3. coincide
4. obsolete 5. oppose
evaporate elevate coincide oppose
improvise intervene delete excavate
remote devastate serene appetite
obsolete liberate centigrade prosecute
evacuate schedule provoke negotiate
Spell Words with Open and Closed Syllables
An open syllable (V/CV) ends in a vowel. It has a long vowel sound—as in the first syllable of the word even. A closed syllable (VC/V) ends in a consonant. The vowel in a closed syllable has a short sound—as in the first syllable of the
word living.
SPELLING WORDS
Spell three words with open syllables and three words with closed syllables from the word list. Then add a slash between each syllable of each word. Use what you learned about syllable patterns to check your spelling.
1. Open Syllables V/CV:
2. Closed Syllables VC/V:
For each word, choose the answer option that shows the correct syllable breaks and type of syllable break (V/CV or VC/V).
1. topical
a. to/pi/cal (V/CV) b. top/i/cal (VC/V) c. top/ica/l (VC/V) d. t/op/ical (VC/V)
2. slogan
a. sl/o/gan (VC/V) b. slog/an (V/CV) c. slo/gan (VC/V) d. slo/gan (V/CV)
recent rotate energetic malice
topical musical solar recommend
honest element vacation apex
lavish minimum register enemy
vital donut slogan agent
Spell Words with Final Stable Syllables -le, -tion, -sion Final stable syllables always appear at the end of words.
• A final syllable that ends in -le has a consonant and letters le.
• The final stable endings -tion and -sion are pronounced “shun” or “zhun.”
Add or remove the final stable syllable to create new words. Use what you know about final stable syllables to spell correctly.
1. observation 2. declaration 3. extension
SPELLING WORDS
4. occupy 5. collide 6. invade
Choose three of the following words and use them in sentences.
observation article observe ripple
collide declaration situation invasion
scuffle invade collision occupation
extension untangle declare extend
situate assemble occupy particle
scuffle untangle ripple
article assemble particle
Spell Words with r-Controlled Vowels
When vowels are followed by the letter r, they are called r-controlled vowels.
When spelling words with r-controlled vowels, keep the following in mind:
• Many r-controlled vowels sound the same but are spelled differently.
• The sound you hear in the word swerve can be spelled er, ir, or, or ur.
The sound you hear in the word shortest can be spelled as or, ore, or oar.
Read the following words, and identify the r-controlled vowel sound made by each.
1. injury 2. guitar 3. cardinal
SPELLING WORDS
Choose three of the following words and use them in sentences:
proportion, excursions, internal, majority, conserve, partition. Use what you learned about r-controlled vowels to spell correctly.
4. conform 5. turbulent 6. vertical
armada category external turbulent
conserve vertical cardinal quarter
guitar partition excursions harmony
proportion conform injury vertex
internal guardian majority minority
Spell Words with Prefixes il-, in-, im-, ir-
Most of the time, adding a prefix does not change the way the base word is spelled. Prefixes do change the meaning of the base words to which they are added. In this case, the prefixes il-, in-, im-, and ir- all mean “not.”
Complete the following sentences by adding the correct prefix (il-, in-, im-, or ir-) to the base word shown in parentheses. Spell correctly.
1. Winning the lottery is (probable) .
2. Even after combining their savings, Jordan and Mika had an (adequate)
amount of money to buy the video game.
3. Having been in the family for generations, the rare and delicate vase was
(replaceable) .
Follow the prompts below to practice spelling words with prefixes.
1. Use the word immobile in a sentence about trying to move something.
2. Use the word irreplaceable in a sentence about a treasured item or an antique.
SPELLING WORDS
logical adequate accurate rational
inoffensive offensive impassable illegal
irrational irreplaceable inadequate passable
probable inaccurate mobile replaceable
legal illogical improbable immobile
Spell Base Words with Endings
The most basic form of a word is called the base word. Adding an ending to a base word changes the base word’s meaning or part of speech.
When you add an ending to a base word, you may have to change how the base word is spelled. For example, you may have to double the final consonant:
Base word: admit + Ending: -ing = admitting
Or, you may have to change the consonant y to i, as in this example:
Base word: defy + Ending: -es = defies
Complete the following sentences by combining and correctly spelling the base word and ending shown in parentheses.
1. The fundraiser (benefit / -ed) the scholarship program.
2. Juan (rely / -ies) on his mom to drive him to baseball practice.
3. Computer (program / -ing) is a valuable skill.
SPELLING WORDS
equipped conveying revise revising
program theories rely industry
relies permit involvement conveys
permitting involve equip programming
benefit benefited theory industries
Spell Words with Latin Roots
Many words in English contain Latin roots. Recognizing and knowing what these roots mean can help you define and spell new words.
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the writing prompts below. Use your knowledge of Latin roots to spell the words correctly.
1. Use the word reporter in a sentence about joining or creating a school newspaper.
2. Use the word supportive in a sentence about helping out a friend.
3. Use the word unpredictable in a sentence about taking a ride on a roller coaster.
Put the following words containing the Latin root ject into alphabetical order. Be sure to use correct spelling.
subjective conjecture dejected
injection projectile objective
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subjective transportation portage contradict
terrarium terrace reject projectile
conjecture reporter dictator indictment
dejected contradiction injection subterranean
prediction unpredictable supportive objective
Spell Words with -ize, -ance, -ence, -ist
Adding the word part -ize, -ance, -ence, or -ist to a word as a suffix may require spelling changes. For example, when adding a suffix to a word that ends in the letter y, either change the y to an i before adding the suffix, or drop the y.
• rely – y + i + -ance = reliance • fantasy – y + -ize = fantasize
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the prompts below. Spell the words correctly.
1. Use the word preference in a sentence about your favorite food.
2. Use the word memorize in a sentence about studying for a test.
3. Use the word appearance in a sentence about picking up litter in a park.
appearance disappearance familiarize sanitize
pessimist optimist brilliance physicist
colonize insurance coherence protagonist
influence antagonist memorize italicize
existence clearance performance preference
Spell Words with Unusual Spellings
Not all words in English are spelled the way they sound when spoken.
• There are silent vowels, such as the e in cantaloupe, and there are silent consonants, such as the b in debt.
• There are also words that are spelled in an unusual way because of the doubling of letters, such as the doubling of the r and s in embarrass.
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the writing prompts below. Be sure to use correct spelling.
1. Use the word villain in a sentence about an action movie.
2. Use the word yacht in a sentence about a day at the beach.
3. Use the word fatigue in a sentence about exercising or doing hard work.
league embarrass epitome depot
sergeant vague intrigue cordial
yacht anxious villain disguise
fatigue genealogy cantaloupe jeopardy
debt queue flood liaison
Spell Words with -ous, -eous, -ious
Adding the word part-ous, -eous, or -ious as a suffix to a word may require spelling changes. For example, the word part -ous means “full of” or “having.”
When adding -ous as a suffix to certain words, the spelling can change to -eous or -ious.
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the prompts below. Spell each word correctly.
1. Use the words curious and mysterious in a sentence about a haunted house.
2. Use the words cautious and adventurous in a sentence about skydiving.
3. Use the word humorous in a sentence to describe a person who is funny.
vicious enormous humorous previous
cautious ridiculous furious adventurous
jealous mysterious fabulous precious
courageous numerous miscellaneous suspicious
victorious curious obvious courteous
Spell Words with Syllable Patterns
A syllable is a word part that has one vowel sound. If a word has more than one syllable, it is called multisyllabic.
Syllable patterns can divide a word in several ways:
• Between two vowels: di/al
• Between two consonants: im/pede
• Between a consonant and a vowel: lem/on
Knowing syllable patterns can help you spell words with multiple syllables.
SPELLING WORDS
Using the hint provided in parentheses, choose the correct word from the list below. Then divide the word using syllable patterns and slashes to check your spelling.
confiscate museum diabolic selfish
1. (hint: evil)
2. (hint: take something away) 3. (hint: caring only about yourself) 4. (hint: art is shown here)
dispel indignant humane congruent
crusade confiscate protest defiance
selfish compensate ignite supreme
dismal insistent diabolic profile
segment syntax museum impede
Spell Words with pro-, com-, con-
• The prefix spelled pro- means “forward” or “before.”
• The prefixes spelled com- and con- both mean “with” or “together.”
Knowing prefixes can help you spell words correctly.
SPELLING WORDS
Put the following words containing the prefix pro- into alphabetical order.
provision protective proponent provide promotion protection projection
Use three of the spelling words in original sentences. Use what you know about prefixes to spell the words correctly.
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promotion compress convene command
consensus combine contingent provide
complement protective companion projection
congestion concert proponent conclave
protection provision concoction combination
Spell Words with anti-, mid-, trans-
• The prefix anti- means “against” or “opposed.”
• The prefix mid- means “middle.”
• The prefix trans- means “across” or “through.”
Knowing prefixes can help you spell new words.
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the writing prompts below. Use what you know about prefixes to spell the words correctly.
1. Use the word midnight in a sentence that describes the setting of a scary story.
2. Use the words antifreeze and transmission in a sentence about a mechanic fixing a car.
3. Use the word transatlantic in a sentence about a trip to Europe or Africa.
transistor midweek midnight transfusion
midpoint transatlantic antithesis midsection
antifreeze antipathy transpose antigravity
translation midcontinent transgress transmission
translucent transmit antigen midstream
Spell Words with sub-, super-
• The Latin word part sub- means “under,” “below,” or “near.”
• The Latin word part super- means “above” or “beyond.”
These word parts can be used as prefixes and added to the beginning of a word.
Knowing prefixes can help you spell new words.
SPELLING WORDS
Read the spelling words. Then, for the items below, add either the prefix sub- or super- to the base word shown in parentheses to complete the sentences. Use what you know about prefixes to spell the words correctly.
1. Emmie and Nathan forgot to take their shopping list to the (market) .
2. The designers of the (division) included a bike path and park.
3. After starring in a blockbuster movie, the actress became a (star) .
4. School (intendent) , Mrs. Ochoa, regularly met with teachers.
5. Zoe found that taking the (way) to work was faster than taking the bus.
supersonic supersede subconscious subsidiary
subway supernova superior supervisor
superstar substitute superintendent subsequent
subset supervision subordinate subdivision
submarine submerse supermarket superlative
Spell Words with Greek Roots
Many words in English come from Greek roots. Here are some common Greek roots:
• The Greek root graph means “to write.”
• The Greek root micro means “small” or “minute.”
• The Greek root tele means “far” or “distant.”
Prefixes are added to the beginning of a root or base word, and suffixes are added to the end of a root or base word to form new words. Roots can also be combined to form a new word:
(Greek root) photo + (Greek root) graph = photograph
Recognizing roots, prefixes, and suffixes can help you spell new words.
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Put the following words into alphabetical order. Spell correctly.
microbe microwave microcosm microbiology microchip
SPELLING WORDS
graph homograph monograph television
telephoto telepathy telecast microcosm
microbiology microchip microbe graphics
telemetry seismograph holograph televise
bibliography graphite topography microwave
Spell Latin Roots audi, rupt, scrib, spec
Many words in English come from Latin, including these common roots:
• audi (“hear”)
• scrib (“write”)
• rupt (“burst”)
• spec (“see”)
Roots have prefixes, suffixes, or other roots attached to them to form new words.
dis- + rupt = disrupt in- + spec + -tion = inspection Recognizing roots, prefixes, and suffixes can help you spell new words.
SPELLING WORDS
script scribble
audition bankrupt
WORD BANK
1. n i i d o t u a 2. c p i s t r 3. k b n p r a u t
(hint: a try-out)
(hint: what actors / actresses read) (hint: no money)
Using the hint provided in parentheses, unscramble the letters to spell one of the words from the Word Bank below. Spell correctly.
retrospective prospect inspection script
audio audit scribble rupture
disruptive speculate auditory auditorium
inscription bankrupt disruption transcribe
audience audition spectator spectacle
Spell Words with Consonant Changes
When you add a suffix to certain words, the final consonant of the base word changes. For example, if you add the suffix -ion to the word celebrate, drop the e at the end of the base word before adding the suffix:
celebrate (base word) + -ion (suffix) = celebration
If you are adding the suffix -ion to the word detect, for example, which does not end in an e, just add the suffix:
detect (base word) + -ion (suffix) = detection
Follow the writing prompts below. Use what you know about consonant changes to spell correctly.
1. Use the word musician in a sentence about someone whose music you enjoy.
2. Use the word mathematics in a sentence about what you find most interesting about math class.
3. Use the word election in a sentence about someone who is running for public office.
SPELLING WORDS
isolation politician frustration politics
music hesitate elect election
clinician selection hesitation coordinate
select frustrate mathematics coordination
mathematician musician clinic isolate
Spell Words with Different Syllable Patterns
A syllable is a word part that has one vowel sound. Knowing syllable patterns, such as vowel teams, VCe syllables, open and closed syllables, final stable
syllables, and r-controlled syllables, can help you divide words in various ways:
• between two vowels: (diet) di/et
• between two consonants: (sluggish) slug/gish
• between a consonant and a vowel: (numerous) nu/mer/ous Recognizing syllable patterns can help you spell words.
Using the hint provided in parentheses, unscramble the letters to spell one of the spelling words. Then use what you know about syllable division
patterns to check your spelling.
stadium innocent
icicle alligator
SPELLING WORDS
1. c c e i i l 2. g l t a l i r o a 3. m d u t a i s
(hint: cold to the touch) (hint: it has scales)
(hint: you watch sports or music here)
contact trifle medium radiate
alligator obstacle variable strategy
escalator miracle idea finish
classical icicle studio dutiful
innocent struggle stadium arthritis
Spell Multisyllabic Words
Words with more than one syllable are called multisyllabic. Multisyllabic words often follow common syllable patterns, such as V/CV, VC/V, and VCe.
• V/CV: musical (mu/si/cal); vacation (va/ca/tion)
• VC/V: element (el/e/ment); honest (hon/est)
• VCe: (in/vite)
There are some common syllables found in multisyllabic words, including -ment movement (move/ment) -ate affectionate (af/fec/tion/ate) in- incapable (in/ca/pa/ble)
Recognizing common syllables and syllable patterns can help you spell words.
Follow the prompts. Use what you know about syllable patterns and multisyllabic words to spell correctly.
1. Use the word environment in a sentence about recycling.
2. Use the word tuxedo in a sentence about a wedding or an awards ceremony.
SPELLING WORDS
harmonica literature humiliate curiosity
elementary ravioli tuxedo stationery
miniature cafeteria cylinder certificate
mosaic probability intermediate amateur
definition environment centennial punctuation
Spell Words with Schwa Sounds
The schwa, or uh sound, is the most common sound in the English language. Any vowel (a, e, i, o, or u) can create the schwa sound, which is often found in an unstressed syllable of a word.
Recognizing and understanding the schwa sound can help you spell words.
SPELLING WORDS
Follow the writing prompts below. Use what you know about syllables and sound-spelling patterns to check your spelling.
1. Use the words tropical and humidity in a sentence about traveling to someplace hot.
2. Write one or two sentences about the rides you would like to go on, the food you would like to eat, and the friends you would like to hang out with at
a carnival.
3. Use the word garage in a sentence about a parent asking his or her children to do some chores before going out to play.
jewel tropical bulletin terrific
kingdom pajamas carnival celebrate
gasoline universal illustrate independent
consolidation ordinary elegant celery
garage humidity census experiment
Spell Words with Vowel Changes
When adding an ending to a word, the pronunciation and spelling can change.
A long vowel sound can change to a short vowel sound, a long vowel sound can change to the schwa, or uh, sound, and a short vowel sound can change to the schwa sound.
Recognizing vowel changes and syllable division patterns can help you spell many words.
Put the following words in alphabetical order. Use what you learned about multisyllabic words and sound-spelling patterns to check your spelling.
Then use slashes to divide each word into syllables.
repeat cycle
preparation severe
explain cyclic deduce
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SPELLING WORDS
physical collide perspire deduce
perspiration cyclic collision explanation
deductive prepare repeat sincere
explain physicality cycle preparation
repetition severe severity sincerity