Duran Suffix Slides Scouting Report
DIAMOND SLEUTHS
Decoding -ly, -tive, -less, -ment, and -ness
Wilson Level 6
Morpheme Study
The Building Blocks
Base Word + Suffix
A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word to change its meaning or part of speech.
Scout's Tip
"Isolate the base word to understand the play!"
kind + ness
=
kindness
Evidence File: Set 1
Case ID: LY-LESS-BOS
-ly
Meaning: "In a way that is..."
Changes adjectives into adverbs. Tells us HOW something is done.
quick + ly quickly
bold + ly boldly
-less
Meaning: "Without"
Creates adjectives that describe a lack of something.
fear + less fearless
effort + less effortless
Evidence File: Set 2
Case ID: MENT-NESS-BOS
-ment
Meaning: "Action or Process"
Turns verbs into nouns. Shows the result of an action.
excite + ment excitement
improve + ment improvement
-ness
Meaning: "State or Quality"
Turns adjectives into nouns. Describes a condition.
still + ness stillness
thick + ness thickness
The High-Stakes Case: -tive
-tive
Meaning: "Tending to"
This suffix makes a word an adjective. It means having the quality of the action.
act + ive
active
create + tive
creative
Note: Drop the 'e' before adding -tive!
PLAYER INVESTIGATION
We are about to read a scouting report about Jarren Duran and his game-changing speed.
Sleuth Challenge
As we read, identify words ending in our target suffixes.
Jarren Duran Worksheet Scouting Report: Jarren Duran
Evidence Report & Analysis Worksheet
Core Evidence
1. Which statement best summarizes the main idea of the passage?
Jarren Duran calculates the best angles in center field while sitting still.
A determined player uses preparation and skill to make a game-saving play in the outfield.
Jarren Duran wants to avoid getting injured while sprinting at Fenway Park.
The thick haze over the park makes it impossible for outfielders to find the ball.
2. List two details from the text that show Jarren Duran was prepared and attentive.
3. Fact Check: In what specific part of Fenway Park did Jarren make the catch, and what physical feature was nearby?
4. Fact Check: What did Jarren focus on improving during his off-season training to prepare for plays like this?
Analysis & Deduction
5. Open Response: Jarren shared the "greatness" of the team effort instead of just talking about himself. What does this reveal about his character as a player?
6. Look at the word "restlessness" in the first paragraph. What does this word tell you about the feeling in the stadium?
7. Based on the context of the story, what is the meaning of the word "descriptive"?
Tending to move quickly across the field.
A state of being without a plan or equipment.
Tending to give a detailed picture or account.
The action of making a catch for the team.
Morphology Lab
Isolate the suffix and define the base word. Then, explain how the suffix changes its meaning.
WORD 01 thickness
Base Word:
New Meaning:
WORD 02 hopeless
Base Word:
New Meaning:
WORD 03 boldly
Base Word:
New Meaning:
WORD 04 movement
Base Word:
New Meaning:
Duran Word Workout Worksheet Duran's Word Workout
Syllable Scrimmage & Sentence Training
Syllable Scrimmage
Read each word out loud. Draw "scoops" under each syllable to divide the word. Then, write the total number of syllables in the box on the right.
restlessness
Syllables
creative
Syllables
improvement
Syllables
amazement
Syllables
Sentence Training
Step up to the plate! Write an original sentence for each word below. Make sure your sentence shows you understand the word's meaning.
Word 01 fearless
Word 02 quickly
Word 03 greatness
Word 04 attentive
Jarren Duran Story Document Duran’s Diamond Dash
Morpheme Scouting Report: -ly, -tive, -less, -ment, -ness
Jarren Duran is a naturally active outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who rarely stands still. On a sunny afternoon at Fenway Park, a feeling of restlessness washed over the crowd. They were waiting for a big play. Jarren stood in center field, his creative mind always calculating the best angles for a catch. He focused on constant improvement of his sprinting speed during the off-season.
"I’m going to catch anything that comes my way," Jarren said boldly to himself. A high fly ball was hit toward the deep part of the park, hidden slightly by the thickness of the afternoon haze. Jarren reacted quickly. He felt fearless as he sprinted toward the Green Monster, though the darkness of the shadows near the wall made the play difficult.
As he ran, the movement of his feet across the grass was nearly silent. Fans watched breathlessly as he tracked the ball. Jarren was attentive to the sound of the crack of the bat, noticing the sharpness of the ball's trajectory. He knew that careless players often missed their marks, so he timed his jump with exactness.
Suddenly, the stadium erupted with great excitement. Jarren leaped, his glove snatching the ball just before it hit the wall. The brief stillness of the catch was magical before the cheering began. Jarren felt a sense of amazement at the roar of the fans. He realized that his persistent training had truly paid off.
Later, in the clubhouse, Jarren gave a descriptive account of the catch to the reporters. He wanted to share the greatness of the team effort, so no fan would feel hopeless about the season's outcome. With a deep breath, Jarren smiled contentedly. His hard work was a success.
Scouting Report: Suffix Evidence
-ly How
-tive Tending to
-less Without
-ment Action/Result
-ness State/Quality
Duran Suffix Teacher Guide Teacher Briefing
Lesson: Duran’s Diamond Suffixes (Wilson Level 6 Extension)
Morpheme Study
Focus: Jarren Duran Case
Learning Objectives
Identify and define the suffixes -ly, -tive, -less, -ment, and -ness.
Apply morphemic analysis to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Identify specific facts and summarize the main idea of the passage.
Segment words into syllables (scooping) and use vocabulary in context.
Key Morphemes
-ly: how/in what way
-tive: tending to
-less: without
-ment: action or result
-ness: state or quality
Instructional Pacing
1
Morpheme Warm-up (10 min)
Review suffixes using the Duran Suffix Slides .
2
Scouting the Story (20 min)
Read "Duran’s Diamond Dash." Students highlight words with target suffixes.
3
Analysis & Report (20 min)
Complete the Jarren Duran Worksheet focusing on core evidence and fact-checking.
4
Word Workout (15 min)
Use the Duran Word Workout Worksheet for syllable scooping and sentence practice.
Master Answer Key
Jarren Duran Worksheet
1. Choice B: Game-saving play in the outfield.
2. Details: Sprinting speed training, calculating angles, bat's crack, jump timing.
3. Center field, near the Green Monster (outfield wall).
4. His sprinting speed during the off-season.
5. It shows humility, teamwork, and leadership (valuing collective effort).
6. Restlessness: Eagerness, anticipation, or impatience for action.
7. Choice C: Tending to give a detailed account.
Morphology: thickness (thick + ness), hopeless (hope + less), boldly (bold + ly), movement (move + ment).
Duran Word Workout
Syllable Scooping
restlessness: rest-less-ness (3)creative: cre-a-tive (3)improvement: im-prove-ment (3)amazement: a-maze-ment (3)
Sentence Training
