Teach the suffixes -ist and -est to boost fluency.
After reading the article, ask students how they think people came up with the word flavorist. Explain that the prefix -ist is added to the end of a noun to change its meaning. When you add -ist to a noun, you get a new noun that refers to someone who does, works with, or believes in whatever the original noun means.
Explain that the suffix -est can sound very similar to -ist, but the meaning is different. Adding -est to an adjective means the thing you’re describing deserves that adjective the most; for instance, -est changes old into oldest.
Now say each sentence below aloud, emphasizing the underlined word. Ask students to guess which suffix each underlined word contains and what the word means.
- My sister is a really talented artist. (someone who makes art)
- It’s dark in the basement, so bring your brightest flashlight. (most bright)
- I want to be a cartoonist when I grow up. (someone who draws cartoons)
- Why are we at the beach on the coldest day of the year? (most cold)
- Our music teacher is also a guitarist in a band. (someone who plays the guitar)
- My neighbor is a successful novelist. (someone who writes novels)
- This is the softest blanket I've ever felt. (most soft)
- Eric is the tallest kid in his class. (most tall)
- My grandmother took me to a concert hall to see a famous violinist play music. (someone who plays the violin)
- My mom is the youngest of my grandmother’s children. (most young)
Looking for more ELL support? Download our full lesson plan and scroll to p. 5 to find questions that will help your ELLs respond to the text at the level that’s right for them.