Word Parts (Prefixes/Suffixes)
The prefix un- means "not." What does the word unhappy mean? Sentence Frame: "Unhappy means..."
Not happy.
Read this sentence: "The dark clouds, strong winds, and heavy rain showed that a storm was coming." What are two clues that help you know what a storm is?
Sentence Frame: "The clues are..."
Clouds, winds, or rain.
This is a person, animal, or creature in a story. For example, Simba in The Lion King.
Sentence Frame: "It is a..."
Character.
A comparison that uses the words "like" or "as." Example: "He is as brave as a lion." What is this called?
"This is a..."
A simile.
These are words for a person, place, thing, or idea. Examples: teacher, school, pencil, happiness.
"These words are..."
Nouns.
The suffix -ful means "full of." What does the word helpful mean?
Sentence Frame: "Helpful means..."
Full of help / helping a lot.
Read this sentence: "The elephant was gigantic; it was much bigger than the truck next to it." Does gigantic mean very small or very big?
Sentence Frame: "Gigantic means..."
Very big.
This is where and when a story takes place. For example: "A dark forest at midnight."
"The element is..."
Setting
A comparison that says one thing is another thing without using "like" or "as." Example: "You are my sunshine." What is this called?
Sentence Frame: "This is a..."
A metaphor.
These are action words that show what someone or something is doing. Examples: run, swim, think, jump.
Sentence Frame: "These action words are..."
Verbs.
The prefix re- means "again." What does it mean to re-read a book?
Sentence Frame: "To re-read means..."
To read the book again.
Read this sentence: "The ice was slippery, so Sarah was cautious and walked very slowly and carefully." What does cautious mean?
Sentence Frame: "Cautious means..."
Careful / walking slowly.
This is the sequence of events in a story. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
"The events are the..."
Plot.
A phrase that has a secret meaning, not the literal meaning. Example: "Piece of cake" means something is very easy. What type of phrase is this?
Sentence Frame: "It is an..."
An idiom.
These words describe a noun. They tell us what kind, what color, or how many. Examples: blue, tall, happy, three.
Sentence Frame: "Describing words are..."
Adjectives.
The suffix -less means "without." If a person has no fear, they are fearless. What does homeless mean?
Sentence Frame: "Homeless means..."
Without a home.
Read this sentence: "The house was abandoned; no one lived there anymore, and the windows were broken." What does abandoned mean?
Sentence Frame: "Abandoned means..."
Empty / no one lives there / deserted.
This is the main problem or struggle that a character faces in a story.
Sentence Frame: "The problem is the..."
Conflict.
Giving human actions or feelings to non-human things. Example: "The wind whistled through the trees." (Wind cannot actually whistle). What is this called?
Sentence Frame: "This is..."
Personification.
These words describe a verb and often tell us how an action is done. They frequently end in -ly. Examples: quickly, loudly, softly.
Sentence Frame: "These words are..."
Adverbs.
The prefix pre- means "before." A preview lets you see a movie before it starts. What is a test you take before you learn a lesson?
Sentence Frame: "The test is a..."
A pretest.
Read this sentence: "After reading the whole book, Leo was able to conclude that the main character was happy with his choice." Does conclude mean to start something or to make a decision at the end?
Sentence Frame: "Conclude means..."
To make a decision at the end / to finish.
This is the big lesson or message about life that the author wants the reader to learn from the story (e.g., "Honesty is the best policy").
Sentence Frame: "The lesson is the..."
Theme (or lesson/moral).
A massive exaggeration used to make a point. Example: "I have a million hours of homework tonight!" What is this called?
"This exaggeration is a..."
Hyperbole.
Short words used to replace a noun so we don't repeat the noun's name over and over. Examples: he, she, it, they.
Sentence Frame: "Replacement words are...
Pronouns.