Lesson Plan: Adding Suffixes to Vowel-Consonant-E Words

Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Subject: Phonics / Word Study
Skill Focus: Dropping the silent e when adding a suffix
Time: 30–45 minutes

Learning Objective

Students will correctly add suffixes (-ing, -ed, -er, -est) to words with a vowel-consonant-e pattern by dropping the silent e before adding the suffix.

Standards (Aligned to Common Core)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3 – Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
   

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2 – Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English spelling.

Materials

• Chart paper or whiteboard

• Markers

• Word cards (make, hope, bake, ride, smile, write)

• Suffix cards (-ing, -ed, -er, -est)

• Substitute Plan

• Printable Student Worksheet

Vocabulary

• Suffix – a word part added to the end of a word
   

• Silent e – the final “e” that makes the vowel say its name
   

• Base word – the original word before adding a suffix

Lesson Steps

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Write the word make on the board.

Ask:

• “What do you notice about this word?”
   

• “What does the silent e do?”
   

Then write:

• make + ing = ?
   

Allow students to guess.

Circle the e and say:

“When we add a suffix that starts with a vowel, we drop the silent e.”

Write:

• make → making
   

Repeat with hope → hoping

2. Explicit Instruction (10 minutes)

Teach the rule:

Rule:
When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel (-ing, -ed, -er, -est) to a vowel-consonant-e word, drop the silent e before adding the suffix.

Create a chart:

Read the words aloud together.

3. Guided Practice (10 minutes)

Use word cards.

1. Show a base word (e.g., bake)
    

2. Ask students:
    

   • “Do we keep the e or drop it?”
      

3. Add a suffix together.
    

Have students turn and talk before answering.

Call on students to explain why the e was dropped.

4. Independent Practice (10 minutes)

Students write the correct word in their notebooks:

1. hope + ing → __________
    

2. ride + er → __________
    

3. smile + ed → __________
    

4. make + ing → __________
    

5. write + er → __________
    

Challenge option:

• Use one word in a complete sentence.
   

5. Assessment / Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Exit Ticket:

• Circle the correct word:
  makeing / making
   

• Fix the mistake:
  hopeing → ______
   

• Create your own word:
  base word + suffix
   

Collect to check understanding.

Differentiation

Support:

• Provide a reference chart
   

• Work in small groups
   

• Say the word aloud together
   

Enrichment:

• Have students sort words that do and do not drop the e
   

• Challenge them to explain exceptions
   

Closure

Ask:

• “What is the rule for adding a suffix to a silent-e word?”
  Students respond chorally:
   

“Drop the silent e!”

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Posted: 1/20/2026