1. 5th Grade Decoding /Word Attack Structural Analysis: Suffixes –action, -ition, -sion, -ion
Lesson 22

2. Remember … Suffixes are word parts added to the end of a root or root word to add to the meaning. The suffixes –tion, -sion, and –ion are unaccented syllables that form the last syllable of a word. They are usually pronounced /shən/ or /zhən/ . When you come to a longer word that you aren’t sure about, you can try breaking the word into smaller parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, roots, and root words.

3. Look at the words below. With your partner, pronounce each word.
-ation
-ition
-sion
-ion
invitation
contrition
impression
suspicion
narration
audition
admission
champion
exclamation
expedition
compression
reunion

4. Now look at these words. With your partner divide each word into syllables and identify the suffix. Use the word parts to read the word.
Word
donation
television
permission
confusion
do na tion
tel e vis ion
Note- you might need to point out to students that the root word for television is televise, and the root word for confusion is confuse- so the suffix for both of these words is ion (not sion). However, the root word for permission is permit, thus the suffix is sion. The important point for students is to be able to read the words. Don’t let students get too hung up on whether the suffix is sion or ion.
per mis sion
con fus ion

5. With your partner look through your science or social studies book for five words that have the suffix –tion, -sion, or –ion. Write these words in your journal and circle the suffixes. Be sure that you can correctly read the words.