Phonics: When to Use the Suffix -tion vs. -sion

Grade Level: 3–5
Time: 45–60 minutes
Focus: Spelling, word study, morphology
Standards (aligned generally):

• Understand and apply common suffixes

• Use word structure to determine spelling and meaning

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Recognize that -tion and -sion are suffixes that form nouns.

2. Identify spelling patterns that help decide between -tion and -sion.

3. Correctly spell and use words ending in -tion and -sion in sentences.

Materials

• Chart paper or board

• Marker

• Word cards (optional)

• Highlighters or pencils

• Printable Student Worksheet

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Step 1: Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher Action:
Write these two words on the board:

• action

• decision

Ask:

“What do these words have in common?”

Guide students to notice:

• Both end in -tion or -sion

• Both are nouns (things/ideas, not actions)

Say:

“Today we’re going to learn how to be spelling detectives and figure out when to use -tion and when to use -sion.”

Step 2: Explicit Teaching (10 minutes)

Teach the Meaning

Explain:

• -tion and -sion are suffixes

• They usually turn verbs into nouns

Examples:

• act → action

• decide → decision

Teach the Core Rule (Kid-Friendly)

Write and say:

Rule #1:

If the base word ends in t, te, or ct, it usually takes -TION

Examples:

• invent → invention

• complete → completion

• attract → attraction

Rule #2:

If the base word ends in d, de, se, or ss, it often takes -SION

Examples:

• decide → decision

• confuse → confusion

• express → expression

Rule #3 (Sound Clue):

 If the ending sounds like “zhun” (like treasure), it’s often -SION

Say both aloud:

• action (hard “sh”)

• vision (soft “zh”)

Have students repeat.

Step 3: Guided Practice (10–15 minutes)

Teacher Action:
Write base words on the board one at a time:

• protect

• discuss

• create

• invade

Ask students to:

1. Say the base word

2. Predict -tion or -sion

3. Explain why

Example discussion:

“Protect ends in ct, so we use -tion → protection.”

Correct together and underline the clue letters in the base word.

Step 4: Student Practice (10–15 minutes)

Option A: Sorting Activity

Students sort words into two columns:

• -tion

• -sion

Words to include:

• celebration

• permission

• attention

• division

• education

• expression

Option B: Fill-in-the-Blank

Students choose the correct suffix:

1. The teacher gave us instruc_____.

2. The loud noise caused confu_____.

3. She made a good deci_____.

Step 5: Application (5–10 minutes)

Students write:

• One sentence using a -tion word

• One sentence using a -sion word

Encourage them to underline:

• The base word

• The suffix

Step 6: Wrap-Up & Exit Check (5 minutes)

Ask:

• “What clues help us decide between -tion and -sion?”

• “Is it okay if we don’t know every word right away?” (Yes—use clues!)

Exit Ticket:
Write the correct ending:

• confu____

• educa____

Differentiation

Support:

• Provide a word bank

• Highlight base word endings

• Allow partner work

Challenge:

• Have students find -tion and -sion words in a book

• Ask them to identify the base verb

Teacher Tip (Important for Grades 3–5 )

Be honest with students:

“English has patterns, not perfect rules.”

Reinforce:

• Use the base word

• Use the sound

• Check a dictionary when unsure

Posted: 2/9/26

Education World