Undo and Redo: Prefixes Un- and Re-

About This Resource

A complete Grade 2 ESL lesson pack on the prefixes un- (not or the opposite) and re- (again): building new words such as unhappy, unlock, retell and rebuild, working out meanings from word parts, choosing the right word in sentences, a word-building game and a short story with prefix words. Includes a lesson plan, worksheet, quiz, homework, A5 flashcards, a rubric, detailed slides with speaker notes, Word files and answer keys.

Overview

Students learn that a prefix is a small word part added to the front of a word that changes its meaning. Un- means not or the opposite (unhappy, unlock, unkind) and re- means again (redo, reread, refill). Students build words from cards, explain meanings using the base word, sort un- and re- words, choose the right word in sentences, read a short story about a class that has to redo a messy art project and write their own sentences.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Prefixes Un and Re
Category: Vocabulary
File Type: PDF
File Size: 349.7 KB
Published: 01 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 2 ESL (ages 7–8), A1–A2 45 minutes Vocabulary word study reading spelling writing

Learning Objectives

Explain that a prefix changes the meaning of a base word.
Use un- to mean not or the opposite and re- to mean again.
Work out the meaning of new un- and re- words and use them in sentences.

How to Use This Resource

Show the slides and act out tie and untie, do and redo, to introduce the prefixes.
Use the flashcards to build words, then complete the worksheet together and in pairs.
Use the quiz to check learning and send the homework home; answers are in the answer keys.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Word builder: give pairs prefix cards (un, re) and base word cards; they build as many real words as they can.
Act it out: say "lock the door" and "unlock the door", "read" and "reread"; children mime each action.
Prefix detective: children look for un- and re- words in a storybook and list them.

Differentiation

Support: focus on five un- words with pictures before adding re-. Challenge: explain why some words that start with un or re are not prefix words, such as uncle and read.

Assessment

The worksheet and quiz check meanings and use in sentences (answer keys included). Use the rubric for the word-building game and written sentences.

Teacher Tips

Always cover the prefix with your finger to show the base word first. Asking "What does happy mean? So what does unhappy mean?" teaches children to work out meanings on their own.

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (8 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 8 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)

Additional Files

Lesson Slides (PPTX)
Editable Student Pages and Lesson Plan (DOCX)
A5 Flashcards (PDF)
Answer Key (PDF)

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