Disagree, Misspell, Preview: Prefixes Dis-, Mis- and Pre-

About This Resource

A free Grade 5 ESL vocabulary worksheet on the prefixes dis- (not, opposite of), mis- (wrongly) and pre- (before): adding prefixes to base words, working out the meaning of new words, choosing the right prefix, using prefixed words in context, and reading a short story full of prefixed words. Includes a timed lesson plan, a six-activity worksheet, an editable Word version and answer key.

Overview

Students learn that a prefix is a group of letters added to the start of a word to change its meaning. They learn three useful prefixes: dis- means not or the opposite of (dislike, disagree), mis- means wrongly or badly (misspell, misunderstand) and pre- means before (preview, preheat). They build new words, match words to meanings, choose the right prefix to complete sentences, find prefixed words in a short story and explain their meanings, and write sentences with their own examples.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Prefixes Dis-, Mis- and Pre-
Category: Vocabulary
File Type: PDF
File Size: 260 KB
Published: 04 Nov 2026
Downloads: 2

Download

Free download — no account required.

Teaching this in class? Try our free Random Name Picker & Timer.

Looking for something different? Request a Resource.

Grade 5 (ages 10–11), intermediate ESL 40 minutes Vocabulary word building reading in context spelling writing

Student Task

Write agree and disagree on the board. Ask: "What does dis- do to the word?"
Teach the three prefixes with examples, then do activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Use

Prefix flip cards: fold a strip of paper so the prefix can be flipped on and off a base word to show the change in meaning.
Prefix sort race: teams sort 15 word cards into dis-, mis- and pre- columns and define three of them.
Word detective: students find prefixed words in a reading book and use the prefix to guess the meaning before checking a dictionary.

Differentiation

Support: give a prefix chart with meanings and picture examples, and focus on dis- and pre-. Challenge: add the prefixes re-, un- and non-, and explain why some words that start with these letters are not prefixed words (dish, mist, press).

Answer Key & Assessment

Activities 1 to 5 check prefix meanings and word choice (answer key included). Activity 6 checks using prefixed words in writing.

Learning Objectives

Explain the meanings of the prefixes dis-, mis- and pre-.
Use a prefix to work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Choose and use words with dis-, mis- and pre- correctly in sentences.

Teacher Tips

Teach students to split a long word into prefix + base word and to define each part: mis + spell = spell wrongly. Point out that the spelling of the base word does not change, which is why misspell has two s's.

What's Included

7-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (6 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Editable Word version of the worksheet
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)