Teaching Kids How to use Prefixes (un and re) with Words that Can be Used as Both Nouns and Verbs

Main teaching points of video as demonstrated:
https://youtu.be/ThjpDOwLusw
1. Determining if a word is a noun or a verb depends on context (how the word is used in a sentence). 2. Examples of these words will be cover, plug, box and lock. 3. Adding a prefix to a word makes a new word. The prefix un means not or opposite and prefix re means do again. 4. Both prefixes are commonly used with verbs. 5. Depending on the context, kids will decide if prefix un or prefix re should be added to each word to complete each sentence.

1. © 2023 reading2success.com
Teaching Kids How to use Prefixes (unand re) with Words that
Can Be Used as Both Nounsand Verbs.
Adding a prefix to a word used as a verb
makes a new word!
(thing)
(action)
.

2. To determine if a word is a nounor a verb depends on the context-
(How the word is used in a sentence).
Noun(thing)
This is the coverfor a pot.
Verb (action)
Please, cover the pot.
Example: cover
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3. Review terms with kids
A Noun …
A Verb …
expresses an action. Every sentence
must have at least one verb.
A Context …
names a person, a place, a thing,
or an idea.
is how the word is used in a sentence.
thing
(noun)
action
(verb)
This is the pot cover.
Please, cover the pot.
OR
This is the pot cover.
Please, cover the pot.
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thing
action

4. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
© 2023 reading2success.com
Thing Action

5. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
© 2023 reading2success.com
Thing Action

6. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
© 2023 reading2success.com
Thing Action

7. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
© 2023 reading2success.com
Thing Action

8. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
Thing Action
© 2023 reading2success.com

9. Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a nounor a verb.
1. I need another box to pack the dishes.
2. She will buttonher coat when she goes.
outside.
1. I need another boxto pack the dishes.
3. Her coat is missing a button.
5. This is a pack of goats.
4. She needs to pack her suitcase.
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
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10. 1.I need another box
to pack the dishes.
Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a
nounor a verb.
Thing
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11. 2. She will button her
coat when she goes
outside.
Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a
nounor a verb.
Action
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12. Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a
nounor a verb.
Thing
3. Her coat is missing
a button.
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13. Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a
nounor a verb.
Action
4. She needs to pack
her suitcase.
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14. Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a
nounor a verb.
Thing
5. This is a pack
of goats.
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15. Have kids determine if the underlined word is used as a nounor a verb.
1. I need another box to pack the dishes.
2. She will buttonher coat when she goes.
outside.
1. I need another boxto pack the dishes.
3. Her coat is missing a button.
5. This is a pack of goats.
4. She needs to pack her suitcase.
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
noun
verb
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16. Prefix
Adding a prefix to a word makes a new word. The prefix unmeans not or
opposite and the prefix remeans do again. Both prefixes are
commonly used with verbs.
un
Verb+
re
un
cover
Context: Action
Uncover the pot to stir the sauce.
cover
cover
Recover the pot to continue cooking.
Uncover the pot to serve the sauce.
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17. Example of Words That Can be Used as a Nounor a VerbDepending on Context.
cover
plug
box
lock
Noun
This is the cover
for the pot.
The blender has
a short plug.
The boxis heavy.
He bought a lock
for his locker.
ContextPicture PictureVerb Context
Please, cover the
pot.
cover
Box the items you
want to keep.
You need to lock
your locker.
Plug it in the outlet.
plug
box
lock
© 2023 reading2success.com
Thing Action

18. un
re
(not or opposite)
(do again)
uncover
recover
Word
cover (verb)
Please, cover the pot.
Adding a Prefixto
a Word Used as a Verb
Makes a New Word!
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19. Plug
Adding a Prefixto
a Base Word Used as a Verb
Makes a New Word!
Adding a Prefixto
a Word Used as a Verb
Makes a New Word!
Plug
Word
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20. Adding a Prefixto
a Word Used as a Verb
Makes a New Word
un
re
box(verb)
(not or opposite)
(do again)
rebox
Boxthe items you want to keep.
unbox
Word
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21. un
re
(not or opposite)
(do again)
unlock
relock
Word
lock (verb)
You need to lock your locker.
Adding a Prefixto
a Word Used as a Verb
Makes a New Word!
© 2023 reading2success.com

22. cover
box
lock
Picture
+ Prefix un
(not or opposite of)
When you are done,
unplugthe blender.
We need to unbox
the delivered items.
He needs to unlockhis
locker to get his books.
PictureVerb Verb
+ Prefix re
(again. back)
cover
plug
box
lock
plug
Uncoverthe pot to
add more tomatoes.
Recoverthe pot so the
sauce continues to cook.
We need to unplug and
replug the blender to
make it start.
I need to rebox the
items we plan to keep.
He forgot to relock his
locker.
Adding a prefix to a word used as a verbmakes a new word.
© 2023 reading2success.com

23. Have kids determine if the prefix, unor re, needs to be added to
the verb to complete each sentence.
1. I need another box to pack the dishes.
2. We are to going to ___box the items
delivered.
1.I need to ___cover the pot to add
more pepper.
3.The locker was open. He forgot to
___lock it.
5. __plug the blender when you are done.
4.She is back home and needs to
___pack her suitcase.
un
re
un
re
un
re
Un
Re
un
re
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24. Have kids determine if the prefix, unor re, needs to be added to
the verb to complete each sentence.
1.I need to ___cover the pot to add
more pepper.
un
re
1.I need to ___cover the pot to add
more pepper.
un re
Yes, the person would need to uncover
the pot to add more pepper.
No, if the pot was covered again the
person could not add more pepper.
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uncover

25. Have kids determine if the prefix, un or re, needs to be added to
the verb to complete each sentence.
1. I need another box to pack the dishes.
2. We are to going to ___box the items
delivered.
1.I need to ___cover the pot to add
more pepper.
3.The locker was open. He forgot to
___lock it.
5.__plug the blender when you are done.
4.She is back home and needs to
___pack her suitcase.
un
re
un
re
un
re
Un
Re
un
re
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un
un
un
Un
re

26. Have Kids Answer the Questions
1. Why would you need to unlockyour locker?
2. When do people unboxitems?
3. Why uncover a pot?
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27. Have Kids Answer the Questions
1. Why would you need to unlockyour locker?
2. When do people unbox items?
3. Why would you uncover a pot?
I would unlock my locker to take out my
books and backpack.
People unbox items when they are delivered
to their homes or when they move.
I would uncover a pot when adding
ingredients, stirring sauce or to serve.
©
2023 reading2success.com

28. We moved to our new home on Sunday. We arrived before the movers to unlockthe door
so the movers could unloadour boxes. We decided to pack dishes first. To our surprise none
were broken! However, the blender did not work. We decided to unplugit and returnit. We
also had to unpaperand repaperthe kitchen shelves. By 6:00 we were hungry. We realized we
could reheatlast night’s spaghetti. After eating, we cleaned up and decided to reviewour to
do list for tomorrow.
Write the correct prefix, unor re, to complete each word.
Moving Day
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29. We moved to our new home on Sunday. We arrived before the movers to unlockthe door
so the movers could unloadour boxes. We decided to unpack dishes first. To our surprise none
were broken! However, the blender did not work. We decided to unplugit and returnit. We
also had to unpaperand repaperthe kitchen shelves. By 6:00 we were hungry. We realized we
could reheatlast night’s spaghetti. After eating, we cleaned up and decided to reviewour to
do list for tomorrow.
Write the correct prefix, unor re, to complete each word.
Moving Day
Moving Day
Moving Day
© 2023 reading2success.com