Shun Junction Slides Shun Junction
Mastering the Suffixes -tion and -sion
The "Shun" Sound
STATION 01
In many English words, the ending sound /shun/ is not spelled how it sounds.
-tion
The most common spelling
action, station
-sion
The "specialty" spelling
mission, vision
Route: -tion
TRACK A
The Standard Choice
About 80% of words ending in /shun/ use -tion.
Base Word Rule
Often added to verbs to make them nouns.
act action
invent invention
collect collection
direct direction
Route: -sion
TRACK B
Two Sounds
Can sound like /shun/ (mission) or /zhun/ (vision).
The "L-R-S-N" Pattern
Usually follows letters like l, r, s, or n.
confess confession
extend extension
decide decision
tense tension
Pro Tip: The Buzz Test
If you hear a buzzy sound like /zhun/, it is almost ALWAYS spelled -sion.
vision
explosion
confusion
Express Check
Pick the correct suffix for each word!
vaca____
tion sion
permiss____
tion sion
educa____
tion sion
conclu____
tion sion
Station Spelling Worksheet Station Spelling
Topic: Suffixes -tion and -sion
Name
Date
The "Shun" Rulebook
-tion (Most Common)
Used in about 80% of words. Often added to verbs ending in t or te. (Example: act → action)
-sion (Specialty)
Used after l, r, s, n or when the sound is buzzy (/zhun/). (Example: vision, mission)
1
Complete the Cargo
Fill in -tion or -sion to complete each word.
1. protec
2. televi
3. inven
4. discus
5. loca
6. confu
7. decisi
8. addi
9. ten
2
Base Word Transformation
Change the verb into a noun by adding the correct suffix.
1. Educate
2. Confess
3. Subtract
4. Explode
3
Express Sentences
Write a complete sentence using the word provided.
Word: MISSION
Word: COLLECTION
Word: DIRECTION
Cargo Sort Cards Cargo Sort Cards
The Shun Junction Sorting Activity
action
mission
vision
station
confession
fiction
television
direction
tension
vacation
extension
addition
explosion
mention
decision
Teacher Instructions
Cut along the dotted lines. Have students sort words into two piles based on their suffix ending.
-TION
-SION
Terminal Tales Passage Terminal Tales
Reading Passage: Suffix Focus
Passage 5-14 Level 5
The Central Station was a place of constant motion. People rushed in every direction, carrying heavy bags and tickets for their summer vacation. High above the tracks, a large television screen listed every option for travel.
Suddenly, a loud explosion of steam filled the air. There was some confusion near Track 9. A conductor made a quick decision to pause the collection of tickets. He needed to find a solution to the problem. After a brief discussion with the engineer, they found that a pipe needed an extension.
With the repair complete, the train's mission was back on track. The passengers cheered with great emotion as the engine began its steady traction on the rails.
Comprehension Check
1. List three words from the passage that end in -tion:
2. Why was there confusion at the station? What was the solution?
3. Which word in the passage describes the sound of the steam?
Central Station Transit Authority • Literacy Division
Conductor Key Teacher Guide Conductor Key
Teacher Facilitation Guide • SPIRE Level 5
Lesson Focus
-tion / -sion
Learning Objectives
Identify and pronounce the /shun/ and /zhun/ sounds in multisyllabic words.
Understand the spelling patterns for -tion (most common) vs. -sion (specialty).
Determine when to use -sion based on preceding letters (l, r, s, n) or the buzzy /zhun/ sound.
Step-by-Step Delivery
1
Phonogram Introduction
"Today we are looking at two ways to spell the /shun/ sound at the end of a word. The most common way is -tion, like in 'action'. The second way is -sion, like in 'mission'."
2
The Buzz Test
Teach students that if they hear a vibrating /zhun/ sound (like in 'vision'), it will always be spelled -sion. Practice by having them touch their throat to feel the vibration.
3
Word Building
Demonstrate how verbs change to nouns: collect → collection. Highlight that when the base word ends in t or te, it usually takes -tion.
Answer Key: Station Spelling
Part 1: Completion
1. protection
2. television
3. invention
4. discussion
5. location
6. confusion
Part 2: Transformation
1. Educate → Education
2. Confess → Confession
3. Subtract → Subtraction
4. Explode → Explosion
Support & Extension
Scaffolding
Use the Cargo Sort Cards with a visual anchor chart present. Have students color-code their sorting: blue for -tion and yellow for -sion.
Challenge
Encourage students to find /shun/ words in other classroom texts and determine why each spelling was used (the "Base Word" or "Preceding Letter" rule).
DGE Bridge Slides DGE Bridge
Building Words with the /j/ Sound
The Sound of "J"
CROSSING 01
When you hear the /j/ sound at the end of a word, there are two ways to spell it:
-ge
After long vowels or consonants
cage, hinge
-dge
The Short Vowel Guard
badge, bridge
The DGE Rule
Use -dge immediately after a SHORT VOWEL.
The letter 'd' acts like a guard to protect the short vowel!
/ă/
badge
/ĕ/
hedge
/ĭ/
bridge
/ŭ/
fudge
Choosing the Route
Short Vowel?
If the vowel sound is short, add the 'd'!
LEDGE
Long Vowel?
If the vowel says its name, NO 'd'!
CAGE
"The 'd' is like a bridge. It connects the short vowel to the /j/ sound so the vowel stays short and safe!"
Bridge Inspection
Which ending completes the word?
smud____
-dge
-ge
hu____
-dge
-ge
dod____
-dge
-ge
oran____
-dge
-ge
Bridge Builder Worksheet Bridge Builder
Topic: Trigraph -dge (The Short Vowel Guard)
Student
Date
The DGE Guard Rule
We use -dge to spell the /j/ sound only when it comes immediately after a short vowel. If the vowel is long or if there is a consonant before the /j/, we usually just use -ge.
1
Support the Bridge
Write -dge to finish these short vowel words.
/ă/
ba
/ĕ/
le
/ĭ/
fr
/ŏ/
lo
/ŭ/
ju
/ĕ/
sl
/ĭ/
r
/ŭ/
sm
2
Choose the Ending
Check the vowel. Circle -dge or -ge.
ST__GE
dge ge
D__DGE
dge ge
H__NGE
dge ge
GR__DGE
dge ge
3
Bridge Phrases
Use a word from the list above to complete each sentence.
1. The hiker walked carefully across the narrow
.
2. The baby ate some chocolate and got
on her face.
3. I wear my scout
on my green vest.
DGE Cargo Cards Bridge Cargo Cards
Trigraph -dge Sorting Set
badge short /ă/
hedge short /ĕ/
bridge short /ĭ/
dodge short /ŏ/
fudge short /ŭ/
ledge short /ĕ/
smudge short /ŭ/
fridge short /ĭ/
judge short /ŭ/
cage long /ā/
huge long /ū/
hinge consonant /n/
pledge short /ĕ/
ridge short /ĭ/
grudge short /ŭ/
Bridge Sorting Activity
Students sort cards based on whether the word follows the "Short Vowel Guard" rule (-dge) or the "Long Vowel/Consonant" rule (-ge).
Bridge Master Guide Bridge Master Guide
Teacher Facilitation • Trigraph -dge
Lesson Focus
-dge Trigraph
Phonic Concept: The /j/ Sound
Rule Summary
The /j/ sound at the end of a word or syllable is spelled -dge only after a single short vowel. In all other cases (long vowels, consonants), it is spelled -ge.
Key Examples
Short vowel: badge, ledge, bridge, dodge, judge
Long vowel: cage, page, huge
Consonant: hinge, barge
Instructional Script
SAY:
"Today we are going to learn how to spell the /j/ sound at the end of a word. Think of the letter 'd' as a guard on a bridge. It stands right after a short vowel to protect it. If we hear a short vowel sound followed by /j/, we must use all three letters: d-g-e."
DO:
Model the 'Guard' visual. Write 'badge' on the board. Tap the 'a' and say 'Short vowel /ă/'. Tap the 'd' and say 'Guardian d'. Tap the 'ge' and say '/j/ sound'.
Answer Key: Bridge Builder
Section 2: Circles
STAGE → Circle ge (long a)
DODGE → Circle dge (short o)
HINGE → Circle ge (consonant n)
GRUDGE → Circle dge (short u)
Section 3: Phrases
1. narrow ledge (or ridge)
2. chocolate smudge
3. scout badge
Common Misconception
Students often forget the 'd' because they don't hear it. Remind them that the 'd' is silent—it is a visual spelling marker that tells the reader 'the vowel before me is short!'
Suffix Bridge Assessment Level 5 Mastery Check
Suffixes -tion, -sion & Trigraph -dge
Student Name
Date
A
The Shun Selection
Circle the correct spelling for each word.
1. ac____
tion sion
2. vi____
tion sion
3. sta____
tion sion
4. explo____
tion sion
5. inven____
tion sion
6. confu____
tion sion
B
Bridge Inspection
Complete each word using dge or ge.
1. sma
2. hu
3. bri
4. ca
5. fud
6. sta
C
Transit Dictation
Listen as your teacher says each word or sentence. Write it on the line.
Sentence 1:
Sentence 2:
End of Assessment
Assessment Master Key Mastery Key
Assessment Guide • Level 5
Scoring Guide
Teacher Resource
A
The Shun Selection
1. action (-tion)
4. explosion (-sion)
2. vision (-sion)
5. invention (-tion)
3. station (-tion)
6. confusion (-sion)
B
Bridge Inspection
1. smudge (-dge after short u)
4. cage (-ge after long a)
2. huge (-ge after long u)
5. fudge (-dge after short u)
3. bridge (-dge after short i)
6. stage (-ge after long a)
Part C: Dictation Script
Read these words and sentences aloud for students to write.
Words
mention
dodge
mission
ledge
Sentences
1. "He made a quick decision on the bridge."
2. "She did the subtraction on her vacation."
Scoring Guide
Proficient: 18-20 correct
Emerging: 15-17 correct
Needs Review: Below 15
