Morpheme Exploration: 2 Free Printables
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Discover morphemes and their related words with this free printable activity! Kids will have fun “exploring” word parts while strengthening their vocabulary knowledge. Keep reading and grab yours today!
🚀 Why Explore Morphology?
Morphology is the study of word structure—how prefixes, suffixes, and base words come together to create meaning. Research shows that teaching morphology improves vocabulary, reading comprehension, and spelling (Bowers & Kirby, 2010).
For example: When kids know that the Latin base form means to shape, they can make connections and determine word meanings in words like reform, transformer, uniformity, formally, and platform.
By explicitly teaching morphemes, we empower students to understand unfamiliar words independently. This is especially helpful for struggling or dyslexic readers, as morphological instruction provides patterns and structure they can rely on (Carlisle, 2010).
📖 Dive deeper: Learn more about morphology or using word sums and word matrices to aid your instruction!
📄 Using the Worksheets
Morphology comes alive in a fun and interactive way with these free practice worksheets! Students will explore the Latin base ‘form,’ meaning ‘to shape.’
Have students grab some crayons, a pair of scissors, and a pencil, and get ready to explore! Here’s how to use the printables:
Step 1: Cut and Match
Using the Materials & Recording worksheet, students cut out the word parts (base, meaning, and words) at the bottom of the worksheet. Students should paste them onto the Morpheme Exploration worksheet.
Step 2: Write a Word Sum
Using the Materials & Recording worksheet, kids will analyze words by breaking them apart into their meaningful parts (e.g., reform → re + form).
Step 3: Create Sentences
Students pick two words with the target morpheme to use in original sentences, reinforcing comprehension. They should use a dictionary, if needed.
Step 4: Color & Decorate
Because learning should be fun and engaging!
These activities make morphology tangible, helping kids see patterns in words and grow their vocabulary.
Related Resources
👆 If you like this activity and are interested in MORE morphology practice, be sure to check out our Greek & Latin Base Exploration worksheets. It comes with 58 word activities for TONS of student learning!
Also be sure to check out:
🌟 Inflectional Suffix Bundle
🌟 Morphology Roll & Read Game
🌟 Morphology Word Building Cards
🌟 Morphology Word Analysis: Greek Bases
Conclusion
Morphology instruction is a simple yet powerful way to boost literacy skills. Whether you’re a teacher, tutor, or parent, these free printables will help your students make meaningful word connections—and have fun doing it!
References:
Bowers, P. N., & Kirby, J. R. (2010). Effects of morphological instruction on vocabulary acquisition. Reading and Writing, 23(5), 515–537.
Carlisle, J. F. (2010). Effects of instruction in morphological awareness on literacy achievement: An integrative review. Reading Research Quarterly, 45(4), 464–487.
🖨 Download & Print
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