Word-part detectives
Use familiar word parts to unlock a longer word.
For parents and teachers
Playing Word-part detectives
Read the cards and match each one to its partner. Find six pairs, with no timer. Think about the meaning before choosing.
What this game practises
Year 3 readers can use familiar roots and prefixes to help read and understand longer words. A word part is a clue rather than a complete dictionary definition: context still matters. Word-part detectives connects a small set of words to plain explanations, including disappear, misbehave and rebuild. Read the whole word accurately before discussing how its parts contribute to its meaning. Compare build with rebuild. The prefix re suggests doing the action again, but the sentence tells you what was rebuilt and why. Then read The children rebuilt the shelter after the storm and explain the full meaning. A child who recognises re should still check the other letters instead of guessing every longer word from its beginning.
Progress and trying again
The normal game controls let children finish, save stars on this device and play again. A previous best result is kept when a later attempt scores less. Matching games count incorrect pairs; ordering games score the first check of each round; sorting games give another chance after a mistake. Take time to talk about a choice rather than racing.
Return to the learning collection for curriculum guidance, examples and activities to try away from the screen.