[Music] do you ever find complicated words when you're reading I know I do I'm Mrs MAA today we'll learn to use word parts to read and understand unknown words recently while reading about Wetlands I found some difficult words here's one first let's Circle the prefixes a prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning do you see a prefix it's e n e n sometimes means in or into it is often pronounced as n or in next let's Circle the suffixes a suffix is a word part added to the end of a word word to change its meaning do you see a suffix the suffix m n t is pronounced mint next let's mark the remaining vowels vowels help us break words into syllables every syllable has at least one vowel and only one vowel sound which vowels do you see we see I and O since there are two vowels we expect to find two syllables here let's split these syllables between the I and the r let's say the word Parts en ronment now let's say the whole word environment is that a word almost this word is environment environment means the objects and conditions around a place or a living thing when we care for wetland environments we protect wildlife and our drinking water here's another word first let's Circle the prefixes do you see any prefixes there are no prefixes next let's Circle the suffixes is what do you see here's mint again now let's mark the remaining vowels we see an O we also see e with r which is an R controlled vowel since there are two vowels we expect to find two syllables in this part I'll split these syllables between the V and the e let's say the word parts I'll try the uh sound in this first syllable the O often says uh before a v gov ear mint now let's say the whole word government is that a word it is since this is a word we're finished government means the people who have power to make laws or choices for a certain group of people our state government makes laws to protect our wetlands and their Wildlife if you speak Spanish the word goo can help you understand this word great work today keep reading and try this strategy the next time you find a challenging word thank you for joining us if you want more fun ways to practice literacy skills don't forget to subscribe to the Michigan Learning Channel and be sure to check the description below for links to activity guides resources and more [Music] [Applause]