Suffix Sparks Presentation UFLI Foundations • Lesson 63
Inflectional Endings & Morpheme Study
Day 1 Instruction
Phonics Skill Focus
The Suffix -es
Discover how words ending in hissing sounds add an extra syllable when we add -es!
Hear the Extra Syllable
Base Word + Suffix
Decodable Practice
The Secret Rule
Concept Exploration
When do we use -es instead of just -s?
When a base word ends in a hissing or buzzing sound, our mouth needs an extra vowel sound to make it plural or match an action!
Say: /iz/ or /əz/ (adds 1 syllable)
Look at the word endings:
s
bus
x
box
z
buzz
ch
bench
sh
dish
Tip: Remember the phrase: "Sam's eXtra Zebras CHew SHrubs!"
Rule: Base words ending in s, x, z, ch, sh Listen for the /iz/ sound!
Word Math
Base Word + Suffix
Combine the Base Word and Suffix -es
fox + es
= foxes
dish + es
= dishes
lunch + es
= lunches
box + es
= boxes
Notice: Each new word has two syllables !
Syllable Scooping
Pronunciation Practice
Scoop and Blend the Syllables
Read the base word first, then scoop on the suffix /iz/!
rush es
rush • es = rushes
"He rushes down."
catch es
catch • es = catches
"She catches fish."
pass es
pass • es = passes
"The bus passes."
Choral Chant: "Base word first, suffix last, put them together nice and fast!"
Choral Sentence Reading
Read Together
1
Pip sees two red foxes by the big wooden boxes.
2
Red rushes in and catches two fat fish for their dishes.
3
The storm crashes, but they sit safe on picnic benches.
Ready for the Decodable Reader: Foxes and Boxes Track with your pointer finger!
Foxes and Boxes Decodable Reader 63
UFLI Decodable Reader • Concept Practice
Foxes and Boxes
Name:
Date:
Warm-Up Word Bank (Suffix -es = /iz/)
Touch & Read
fox • es
box • es
dish • es
bench • es
rush • es
catch • es
mix • es
pass • es
High-Frequency Words:
two into said they what their
Chapter 1: The Wooden Boxes
Pip and Red are two swift red foxes. They live in a den under thick green bushes. One sunny morning, the two foxes jog past the tall grasses on their way to the creek.
Pip stops on the dirt path. "Look over there!" Pip says. "I see six big wooden boxes by the water!"
Red rushes ahead to check the first box. "What is inside these boxes?" he asks. Red pops open the wooden lid. Inside, he catches two fat catfish!
"What a grand find!" Pip yells. Pip mixes ripe berries and seeds. Then he dishes out a big snack onto flat stones.
Read 1: Accuracy Check (Finger tracking words)
Page 1 of 2 • Continue on Page 2
Foxes and Boxes • Part 2
UFLI 63 Decodable Reader
Chapter 2: The Sudden Splash
The two foxes hop onto wide wooden benches to eat their lunches. "This is the best meal!" said Pip as he munches happily.
Suddenly, a cold wind crashes through the tree branches. Cold rain splashes on their red coats and drenches the grass. Pip misses his warm, dry den.
Red packs the food into the boxes. The two foxes sprint under the cedar bushes until the gust passes. Soon the sun shines. The happy foxes doze together on warm stones!
Decodable Word Detective
Show what you discovered in the text
1. Base Word Ending Sort
Write one word from the story ending in each target pattern:
ends in -x:
ends in -ch:
ends in -sh:
2. Story Comprehension
Where did Pip and Red sit to eat their lunches?
My Reading Fluency Check
Color a star for each time you read this story smoothly:
Read 1
⭐
Read 2
⭐
Read 3
⭐
Lesson 63: Base words ending in s, x, z, ch, sh + suffix -es Page 2 of 2
Suffix Sorter Worksheet 63
Morpheme Analysis • Day 1 Practice
Suffix Sorter Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Rule Reminder: Add -es to base words ending in s, x, z, ch, sh .
Sound: /iz/
1
Break Down the Morphemes
Write the base word and the suffix for each word. The first one is modeled for you.
Whole Word
Base Word
Suffix
Ending Sound
foxes
fox
-es
ends in x
dishes
benches
rushes
buses
2
Fill in the Missing Word
Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each decodable sentence.
boxes catches lunches mixes
1. The swift red fox ____________________ two fat fish in the creek.
2. Pip and Red sit on benches to eat their ____________________.
3. Pip ____________________ fresh red berries with seeds.
4. They pack their stone plates back into the wooden ____________________.
3
Count the Syllables
Clap the syllables for each word. Write 1 or 2 in the box.
fox
foxes
dishes
Lesson 63 • Day 1 Independent Practice Base Word + Suffix -es
Fluency Flight Presentation UFLI Foundations • Lesson 63
Day 2 • Fluency & Text Mastery
Fluent Foxes
Fluency & Comprehension Focus
Fluency Flight: Foxes & Boxes
Build quick automatic word recognition, scoop words into smooth phrases, and become a decodable text detective!
Rapid Word Grid
Phrase Scooping
Partner Reading
Rapid Word Sprint
Warm-Up Drill
Read across each row with speed and accuracy. Watch for the extra syllable!
foxes
boxes
dishes
benches
rushes
catches
mixes
passes
bushes
crashes
splashes
lunches
Sprint 1: Whole Class Choral Sprint 2: Whisper Read to Partner
Phrase Scooping
Smooth & Expressive
Read in Smooth Meaningful Chunks
Don't sound like a robot. Scoop the words together!
Pip and Red ➜ are two red foxes
sit on benches ➜ to eat their lunches
under the bushes ➜ until the storm passes
Listen to how natural your voice sounds when scooping!
Partner Reading Routine
Teamwork Skills
1
Partner 1: The Reader
Track words smoothly with your finger.
Read in a clear, conversational voice.
Scoop phrases together smoothly.
2
Partner 2: The Coach
Follow along closely with your eyes.
If partner gets stuck, wait 3 seconds.
Give 1 genuine star praise when done!
Then switch jobs! Both partners read and coach.
Decodable Detectives Worksheet Close Reading & Text Evidence • Day 2
Decodable Detectives Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Use your decodable reader Foxes and Boxes to solve the clues below!
1
Pencil Scooping for Fluency
Draw pencil scoops (curves) under the words that belong together in each sentence. Then read aloud smoothly.
Sentence A:
The two foxes jog past the tall grasses to the creek.
Sentence B:
They sit on wide wooden benches to eat their lunches.
2
True or False Clue Hunt
Read each statement. Mark TRUE or FALSE, then write the key clue word from the text.
A. Red catches two catfish inside the wooden box.
TRUE
FALSE
B. The foxes sit on swings to eat their meal.
TRUE
FALSE
C. The foxes hide under cedar bushes from the storm.
TRUE
FALSE
3
Unscramble the Sentence
Put these scrambled words in order to form a sentence from the reader. Write it on the line.
crashes branches The wind through
4
Illustrate and Label
Draw Pip and Red eating on the wooden benches. Label at least two words with -es .
Lesson 63 • Day 2 Decodable Reader Comprehension Suffix -es Comprehension
Partner Fluency Tracker Oral Reading Fluency • Day 2 Protocol
Partner Fluency Tracker
Reader:
Coach:
Routine: Reader reads for 1 minute (or full passage). Coach follows along with a pencil and tallies errors.
60-Sec Sprint
1 Timed Reading Passage (Foxes and Boxes excerpt)
Total: 72 Words
Pip and Red are two swift red foxes. They live under thick green bushes. [13]
The two foxes jog past tall grasses to find six big wooden boxes by the creek. [29]
Red rushes to check the boxes. He pops the lid and catches two catfish. [43]
Pip mixes seeds and dishes out berries onto flat stone plates for their snack. [57]
They sit on wide wooden benches to eat their lunches before the storm passes. [72]
Trial 1 Score First Cold Read
Words Read:
Errors (-):
Net WCPM:
Trial 2 Score Hot Read (Choral / Coached)
Words Read:
Errors (-):
Net WCPM:
2
Target Suffix -es Accuracy Check
Check each word read accurately with the extra syllable /iz/:
foxes
bushes
grasses
boxes
rushes
catches
mixes
dishes
benches
lunches
3
Coach Rating & Star Feedback
How did the reader sound?
Color 1 to 3 stars for smoothness and expression:
Smooth Phrases
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Clear Sounds
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Good Speed
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Lesson 63 • Day 2 Fluency Protocol UFLI Foundations Partner Routine
Plural Showdown Worksheet Encoding & Spelling Discrimination • Day 3
Plural Showdown Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Add Suffix -s :
Most words (cats, dogs, cups, pens). Does not add a syllable.
Add Suffix -es :
Words ending in s, x, z, ch, sh . Adds an extra syllable (/iz/)!
1
Which Suffix Does It Need?
Check the ending sound of each base word. Mark whether it takes -s or -es , then write the new word.
Base Word
Ending Sound
Choose Suffix
Spell New Word
bench
/ch/ (ch)
-s -es
dog
/g/ (g)
-s -es
box
/ks/ (x)
-s -es
dish
/sh/ (sh)
-s -es
cup
/p/ (p)
-s -es
2
Teacher Sentence Dictation
Listen carefully to teacher's cues
Listen to each sentence spoken by your teacher. Tap the words, count the syllables, and write neatly.
Sentence 1: Check: Capital letter • Finger spaces • Punctuation
Sentence 2: Check: Base word spelling • Suffix -es
Spelling Detective Self-Check:
Found hissing endings Used -es correctly Best handwriting
Lesson 63 • Day 3 Encoding Mastery Suffix Discrimination -s vs -es
Dictation Mastery Teacher Guide Teacher Resource • UFLI Lesson 63
Dictation Mastery Teacher Guide
Day 3 & Sequence Guide
Objective: Students accurately encode base words with suffix -es and discriminate between -s and -es in guided sentence dictation.
15-20 Min
1
5-Step Explicit Dictation Routine
Step 1: Sound Warm-Up
Teacher dictates target phonemes. Students echo and write graphemes on dry-erase/slate:
/iz/ ➜ -es | /ch/ ➜ ch | /sh/ ➜ sh | /ks/ ➜ x
Step 2: Base Word First
Always dictate base word first before adding the inflectional ending:
"Say box. Tap the sounds (/b/ /o/ /ks/). Now write box."
Step 3: Add Suffix -es
Ask: "What sound does box end with? (/ks/). What suffix do hissing sounds take? (-es)."
box + es = boxes | dish + es = dishes
Step 4: Choral Syllable Tap
Students clap or scoop both syllables together:
"box • es (2 syllables!)" | "catch • es (2 syllables!)"
2
Teacher Sentence Dictation Script
Sentence 1 Script (Plural Showdown Worksheet): 8 Words
"Pip mixes berries and puts them in six dishes."
Prompt: "Say the sentence. How many words? Where are our hissing suffix words? (mixes, dishes). Write neatly."
Sentence 2 Script (Plural Showdown Worksheet): 8 Words
"The two red foxes rush under green bushes."
Prompt: "Identify base words (fox, bush). Both end in hissing sounds (x, sh), so add -es."
Common Misconceptions & Quick Fixes
Error: Omitting 'e' (e.g. *boxs*, *dishs*):
Have student say it aloud: "Can your mouth say /b//o//ks//s/ smoothly? No, we need the vowel bridge /iz/ with -es ."
Error: Overgeneralizing (e.g. *cates*, *doges*):
Check the ending sound: Does /t/ or /g/ hiss? No! Words without hissing sounds only take regular -s .
UFLI Lesson 63 • Day 3 Dictation Protocol Page 1 of 2 • Answer Keys on Page 2
Sequence Master Answer Keys
Days 1 - 3 Solutions
Foxes and Boxes Decodable Reader (Page 2) Day 1 Reader Tasks
1. Base Word Ending Sort:
ends in -x: foxes / boxes
ends in -ch: benches / lunches / branches
ends in -sh:
