Word Builder

What your child will figure out

• Identify the root as the block that carries a built word's core meaning.
• Use prefixes for negation, repetition, position, time, number, and degree to change a root's meaning predictably.
• Use suffixes for qualities, states, people, actions, and possibility to change a root's meaning predictably.
• Build and break unfamiliar single- and multi-affix words across everyday, school, story, community, and science contexts.

The levels

1. Find the power block

   Predict, build, observe, and explain that the root help carries the core meaning.

2. Flip it with un-

   Build unkind and explain how a negating prefix changes kind to its opposite.

3. Run it again

   Build reuse and distinguish repetition from negation.

4. Finish with -ful

   Build helpful and explain how a quality suffix changes the root.

5. Take it away

   Build fearless and contrast -less with -ful.

6. Look before

   Build preview and use a time-and-order prefix in a school context.

7. Spot the mistake

   Build misread and explain that mis- marks an action done wrongly.

8. Name the doer

   Build teacher and explain how -er can name a person who acts.

9. Turn quality into an idea

   Build kindness and explain how -ness names a state or quality.

10. Show possibility

    Build washable and explain how -able marks what can be done.

11. Build by number

    Build semicircle and use a quantity prefix in a maths context.

12. Master blueprint

    Transfer the full block rule by building unpredictable with both a prefix and suffix.