Words with the Suffix ‘-able’: Lesson Plan
The ability to use suffixes changing a word from one word class to another is what makes our vocabulary flexible and dynamic. It allows us to play around with words and create new words to express just what we mean.
“-ABLE”
This quickie is built around the suffix ‘-able’ used to turn verbs into adjectives meaning 1) good/suitable for, and 2) can/able to be done. It gives learners some examples of what can be done with this wonderful suffix.
Step 1. Before you listen to the song, form adjectives out of the verbs given and fill in the gaps in the lyrics.
“___________ (believe, not)“
She’s so ______(kiss), ______(hug), ______(love), ______(believe. not)
She’s a mouthful of anything and everything a man could want
She ain’t typical, she’s ______(predict, not), she’s ______(avail), it’s a miracle
How my heart stumbled into someone so ______(kiss), ______(hug), ______(love), ______(believe. not)
Up ’til now my life has been so lonely and boring
I never thought I would find someone so
Elegant, intelligent, heaven sent, all my money spent
I put a big down payment on that itty bitty diamond ring
She’s so beautiful, it’s ______ (dispute, not), it’s ______(deny, not), she’s got-to-havable
She’s music to my ears, and makes my heart sing, so ______(kiss), ______(hug), ______(love), ______(believe. not)
Step 2. Now listen to the song and check.
“Unbelievable”
She’s so kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
She’s a mouthful of anything and everything a man could want
She ain’t typical, she’s unpredictable, she’s available, it’s a miracle
How my heart stumbled into someone so kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
Up ’til now my life has been so lonely and boring
I never thought I would find someone so
Elegant, intelligent, heaven sent, all my money spent
I put a big down payment on that itty bitty diamond ring
She’s so beautiful, it’s indisputable, it’s undeniable, she’s got-to-havable
She’s music to my ears, and makes my heart sing, so kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
There’s so many things
I want to tell her
Like I love her
But every time I talk
I start to stutter
She’s so elegant, intelligent, heaven sent, all my money spent
I put a big down payment on that itty bitty diamond ring
She’s so beautiful, it’s indisputable, it’s undeniable, she’s got-to-havable
She’s music to my ears, and makes my heart sing, kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
Kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
Kissable, huggable, lovable, unbelievable
(Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/diamondrio/unbelievable.html)
Step 3. Discuss the meanings of the adjectives from the song formed with the suffix ‘-able’.
Step 4. Conversation practice “Giving Compliments”
Parcel Game: Make a parcel by wrapping up a bar of chocolate or sweets (or any other sweer prize) in several layers of paper – a parcel per team. Have your students sit in a circle, give one of them the parcel and when the music starts, get them to hand the parcel and give a compliment to the next student, who hands it on, and on, adding compliments each time. When the music stops, the student who is holding the parcel opens the first layer. Then when the music starts again, they hand it on to the next student paying a compliment, and so on, till they reach the last layer with the prize.
Enjoy your Valentine’s Day and happy teaching!
[Image credit: Memphis CVB, https://www.flickr.com]
