Inflectional endings may sound like a complex concept, but it's as easy as adding a few letters to the end of the word. When inflectional endings are added to the end of a word, they change the meaning or quality of the word. Let's take a look at how to teach inflectional endings in the 2nd grade classroom.
What are inflectional endings?
Inflectional endings are sometimes called inflected endings. An inflectional ending changes the meaning of a base word. Examples of inflectional endings are: -s, -ing, -es, -ed, -est.
Teaching Inflectional Endings in 2nd Grade
Rules, rules, rules! There are so many different rules to follow when it comes to phonics skills. Here are the basic rules for students to remember when it comes to inflectional endings:
Inflectional endings can be added to nouns or verbs.
When a word ends with short vowel-consonant, double the last letter before adding -ed or -ing
Example: Hop to hopped, run to running
If the word ends in -y, drop the y and change it to i before adding the endings -es, -ed. -est
Example: Cry to cries, carry to carried, merry to merriest
Adding -s or -ed to a verb changes the verb tense
The ending -s, when added to a verb, tells that the action is happening in the present moment. Adding -ed to a word changes the verb tense. It tells that an action happened in the past.
Example: Joe jumps over the log. (Present tense) Joe jumped over the log. (Past tense)
When adding -ing to a word ending with y, leave the y alone and simply add -ing
Example: Dry to drying, fly to flying
Inflectional Ending Activities, Centers, and More!
Looking for more hands-on ideas on how to teach inflectional endings in 2nd grade? Take a look at these activities and centers to add to your literacy routine.
Inflectional Ending Activities without spelling changes
In this activity, students will read, write and sort words with -ed and -ing endings
This hands-on phonics center is where students match a Hollywood star to a clapboard with the missing word that has the correct inflectional ending without spelling changes.
In this center, students will read a sentence that includes a word with an inflectional ending. Students will identify the word and sort it into the correct column. This center focuses on words with -ed, -ing, and -s endings.
Inflectional Ending Activities with spelling changes
“Pandas at Play” Inflectional Ending Center with spelling changes
This 2nd grade hands-on phonics center has students select a panda card and then write the base word with the correct spelling of each inflectional ending in the recording sheet.
In this spiral review, students will complete a brief, engaging activity of previously taught phonics skills. This unit focuses on inflectional endings, both with and without spelling changes.
Inflectional Ending Worksheets
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I would like to get the tips for teaching inflectional ending
I would like to get the tips for teaching inflectional ending . This will help my students that need hep understanding the ending of ED
would like to get the tips for teaching inflectional ending
I would like to get the tips for teaching inflectional endings. Please, thank you