Spelling with Roots Chart
Words built from roots follow a few spelling rules. Use this chart when you add prefixes and suffixes.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read each spelling rule.
- Read the examples in blue.
- Use the chart when you add prefixes and suffixes.
Teaching tip
Keep the chart nearby while your student works on the other pages. This sheet is aligned with Common Core L.4.2d.
About this chart
Six spelling rules for words built from roots: roots keep their spelling, prefixes just add, silent e, y to i, -able or -ible, and -tion or -sion, each with examples.
What kids practice
Many longer words are built from a root plus a prefix or a suffix, like inspect, transportation and visible. A root is spelled the same way in every word, so learning it once helps with many words. A few rules cover what happens when parts are added: keep every letter when you add a prefix, drop a silent e or change y to i before some suffixes, and choose between endings like -able and -ible or -tion and -sion.
Watch for
- Dropping a letter when a prefix makes a double letter, like mispell for misspell.
- Keeping the silent e before a vowel suffix, like createion.
- Forgetting to change y to i, like happyness.
- Spelling a root the way it sounds instead of the way it's built, like microscop or autograf.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full spelling with roots guide for 4th grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Adding SuffixesWords like create + ion and happy + ness to put together, then circle just add, drop the e, or change y to i. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
3. Double LettersPrefix and word pairs like mis + spell and dis + agree to put together, then mark whether the new word has a double letter. Fewer, Standard or More give 8, 10 or 12. Includes an answer key.
4. Able or IbleWord starts like read and vis to finish with -able or -ible. Fewer, Standard or More give 8, 10 or 12. Includes an answer key.
5. Tion or SionVerbs like decide and invent to turn into nouns ending in -tion or -sion. Fewer, Standard or More give 8, 10 or 12. Includes an answer key.
6. Fix the SpellingSentences with one misspelled root word, like microscop or autograf, to find and fix. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10. Includes an answer key.
7. Look, Say, Cover, Write, CheckA practice grid for root words like telescope, transport and decision. Fewer, Standard or More give 8, 10 or 12 words.
8. Spelling TestNumbered lines for a spelling test of words built from roots. The answer key lists the words for a grown-up to read aloud. Fewer, Standard or More give 10, 15 or 20 words.