Prefixes with Opposite Meanings- Jigsaw Games

Prefixes with opposite meanings jigsaw games

Instructions for teachers

There are two different ways of playing this game:

• Give out one column of prefixes for students to brainstorm opposites and example words for, then give out the opposites and examples cards for them to match to the prefixes
• Give out the column of words (and partial words) for them to brainstorm prefixes for, then give out the prefixes cards for them to match to the words

In both cases, the worksheet should first be cut into columns. The column which you first give out should be left as it is and the other columns should be cut up. However, the other columns should be cut up so that there are at least two or three cards together. Don’t cut any of the columns into cards with just one cell/ box/ word. With weaker classes you can make big cards with four or more cells together. Where possible, make the cuts at different places in the different columns, perhaps by making cards of a range of different sizes.

Give out the whole column and ask students to brainstorm suitable prefixes and/ or words to match it. Then give out the other cards for them to put together, like a kind of jigsaw. You might want to point out that “-” doesn’t necessarily mean the word needs a hyphen. If students get stuck, you could:

• Tell them that each pair of prefixes has one in italics and one not in italics
• Let them look at the answer key (without touching the jigsaw) and then try again once they have turned the answer key over

When they think they have finished, ask them to check that the prefixes are opposites of each other and that all the right-hand words match with both of the prefix cards. Then give out an up-cut-up version of the worksheet for them to check their answers with. They can then test each other by:

• reading out a list of (partial) words until their partner guesses a suitable prefix
• reading out a word with one prefix for their partner to say the opposite of
• reading out just a prefix for their partner to say the opposite of
• reading out a prefix and help their partner make suitable example words
• reading out a prefix and help their partner make suitable example words and opposites

 

Cards to cut up/ Suggested answers

kilo-	milli-	-gramme/ -metre/ -litre
mono-	multi-	-cultural/ -lingual
mono-	poly-	-gamous/ -syllabic/ -glot
di(a)-	mon(o)-	-oxide/ -logue/ -phthong
bi-	semi-	-annual/ -monthly/ -weekly
bi-	uni-	-cycle/ -cameral (parliament)
multi-	uni-	-verse/ -cellular/ -dimensional/ -lateral
mega-	micro-	-fauna/ -bank/ -structure/ -budget/ -finance
macro-	micro-	-economics/ -analysis/ -trend
anti-	pro-	-American/ -war/ -biotic
mis-	well-	-informed/ -treated
mal-	well-	-adjusted/ -nourished/ -adapted/ -formed
bene-	male-	-factor/ -diction/ -volent
down-	up-	-beat/ -load/ -grade/ -side
fore-	hind-	-legs/ -sight/ -quarters
inner-	outer-	-ear/ -wear/ -space
inter-	intra-	-net/ -cellular/ -species/ -tribal/ -ethnic
over-	under-	-paid/ - achiever/ -pass/ -cooked
sub-	super-	-sonic/ -structure/ -human
post-	pre-	-war/ -industrial / -independence/ -colonial
neo-	proto-	-Communist/ -Fascist/ -feminist/ -hellenic
hetero-	homo-	-sexual/ -genous