Decoding: An Essential Skill for Middle School ELA Teachers

Decoding refers to the process of figuring out what a written word says by sounding it out. It involves matching letters and letter combinations to their corresponding sounds to read and understand the word. Decoding can start at a very basic level, with students learning to recognize individual sounds (phonemes), and it can grow to include larger units, such as syllables, prefixes, suffixes, and base or root words.

For example, my five-year-old daughter, Harper, is currently learning to read. She’s practicing her sight words and letter fluency cards daily, and she even has a list of nonsense words her teacher sends home each week. It’s fascinating to watch her decode these made-up words, which helps her develop an understanding of how sounds and letters work together to form meaningful words.

While decoding starts with basic phonemes, as students advance, they will also begin to decode by recognizing familiar prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Understanding these chunks of words is crucial for tackling more complex vocabulary, especially in middle school.

When to Focus on Decoding

If you have students struggling with simple sounds or basic fluency, they may require a more systematic decoding lesson, perhaps spanning several sessions. If this is the case in your classroom, we suggest reaching out to your school’s reading specialist or administrator for additional resources or support. However, if your students are ready for more complex word recognition strategies, it’s time to dive into decoding larger chunks, like prefixes, suffixes, and base words.

Two Fun and Interactive Decoding Activities

Now, let’s get into the fun part—teaching decoding through interactive activities. Here, we’ll share two different versions of an activity designed to help students decode larger word parts, including prefixes, suffixes, and root/base words. The best part? You can choose the version that best fits your teaching style and classroom environment.

Word Part Relay (Movement-Based Activity)

This version is great for adding some physical activity to the lesson—because who doesn’t love a good relay race? Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Preparation: Begin with a mini lesson on common prefixes, suffixes, and root words. Make sure your students are familiar with at least 12 examples of each. You can find lists online, or even use ChatGPT to create one for you. Write these word parts on cards or index cards, cutting them out to the size of a small index card.

2. Setting Up the Relay: If you have a small classroom, you could do this in a large room or even outside. Place students in groups of 3-4 and assign each group a station around the room. At the center of the room, set up tables or desks with three sections: one for prefixes, one for root/base words, and one for suffixes.

3. Relay Time: For round one, the first student from each group runs to the prefix section, grabs a card, and runs back to their team. Round two, the next student picks up a root/base word card, and in round three, a suffix card. The goal is to work together to combine the cards into a valid word.

4. Creating Words: Once the cards are gathered, the team needs to work together to create a valid word or multiple words. They should write their words down and come up with definitions. For example, a team might pick the prefix un, the root word friend, and the suffix ly, creating the word unfriendly.

5. Scoring: After the relay, each team shares their words with the class. If other teams have the same word, they cross it off their list. Discuss each word, breaking it down into its prefix, root/base word, and suffix. Talk about how the word is formed and its meaning.

    

   Stationary Version (Low-Key Activity)

If you’re looking for something a little less energetic, the stationary version might be a better fit for your classroom. Here's how to make it work:

1. Preparation: Instead of setting up a relay, you’ll print out lists of prefixes, suffixes, and root/base words for each group. Students will cut these words out and physically manipulate them on their desks.

2. Challenge: In groups of 3-4, challenge students to create as many words as they can using the word parts within a set time frame. They should write down the words they create and provide definitions.

3. Scoring: After the time is up, each group shares their words, and you can follow a similar scoring process as in the relay. Review each word, discussing its parts and definitions. Use this opportunity to talk about the nuances of spelling changes when adding suffixes, like when a word changes its form (e.g., unstoppable).

   
   

Extending the Activity: Reflection and Application

Regardless of the activity version you choose, the reflection portion is key. After the game, spend time discussing the words your students created, their meanings, and how they were formed. This reflection not only solidifies students’ decoding skills but also enhances their understanding of the process.

For further extension, consider having students hunt for words with prefixes, suffixes, or root/base words in their reading materials. Alternatively, challenge them to write short stories or sentences using the words they've decoded. This reinforces their learning and shows how decoding can directly impact their writing.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose the high-energy relay or the more stationary approach, decoding is a crucial skill for middle school ELA students. By focusing on prefixes, suffixes, and root/base words, students will not only strengthen their decoding abilities but also gain a deeper understanding of how words work, making them more confident readers and writers.

If you want to hear more about this topic, check out our podcast Teaching Middle School ELA.
Decoding