Unit 6: Problem Solving
Topic Overview: Solving Problems Through Words
In this unit, we explore the theme of Problem Solving. Whether you are an active volunteer in your community or an inventor creating a new technique, solving problems requires creativity and persistence. Sometimes, a solution might not work, leading to disappointment, but often these failures inspire us to try again. Nowadays, we use technology to transform our world, but simple tools often came in handy forinventors for decades.
We will also master specific word parts that help us unlock meaning: Prefixes and Suffixes. A prefix like un-, non-, dis-, or mis- is added to the beginning of a base word to change its meaning, usually making it negative or opposite (e.g., mis-+ trust = mistrust). A suffix is added to the end, often changing the word’s part of speech. For example, adding -ness can turn an adjective into a noun (e.g., foolish + ness = foolishness), while -ful means “full of” (e.g., help + ful = helpful).
Advanced Concept: Phonics Patterns -in, -on, -en
Pay attention to the final sounds in words. The schwa sound before ‘n’ can be spelled in different ways. For example, basin (-in),button (-on), and chicken (-en). Understanding these patternshelps distinguish correct spellings for words that sound similar.
Exercise 1: Vocabulary Definitions
Match the target vocabulary word to its correct definition.
1. glistened: (a) sparkled or shined (b) became dark (c) broke apart
2. clustered: (a) separated widely (b) gathered closely together (c) moved quickly
3. annoyed: (a) very happy (b) bothered or irritated (c) sleeping
4. circular: (a) shaped like a square (b) shaped like a circle (c) flat
5. sturdy: (a) weak and fragile (b) strongly built (c) transparent
6. evaporate: (a) to freeze solid (b) to change from liquid to vapor (c) to paint
7. hilarious: (a) extremely funny (b) very sad (c) dangerous
8. magnify: (a) to make smaller (b) to make appear larger (c) to lose
Exercise 2: Prefix Power
Add the correct prefix (un-, non-, dis-, mis-) to complete the word in the sentence.
1. The teacher said I ______spelled the word on the test. (spell)
2. It is ______sense to walk outside without shoes in the snow. (sense)
3. The boy felt ______appointment when his team lost the game. (appointment)
4. Please do not ______obey the safety rules in the lab. (obey)
5. The messy room was very ______tidy. (tidy)
6. It is ______polite to interrupt someone speaking. (polite)
7. The information in that old bookis ______fiction. (fiction)
8. If you ______behave, you might miss recess. (behave)
Exercise 3: Suffix Transformations
Change the word in parentheses using a suffix (-y, -ful, -ly, -less, -ness) to fit the sentence.
1. The sun was shining ______ in the sky. (bright)
2. His ______ led him to make a silly mistake. (foolish)
3. The kitten was very ______ and chased the ball of yarn. (play)
4. Without a map, the explorer felt ______. (hope)
5. The path was ______ and covered in rocks. (bump)
6. She smiled ______ at the new student. (sweet)
7. The ______ of the night was comforting. (still)
8. Be ______ when you hold the baby chick. (care)
Exercise 4: Problem Solving Context
Fill in the blanks with the correct target vocabulary word from the box:
conducted, technique, bidding, overflowing, violated, decades, volunteer, reference
1. The scientist ______ an experiment to test her new theory.
2. The river was ______ after the heavy rainstorm.
3. He has been collecting stamps for several ______.
4. Using a new ______ helped the artist paint faster.
5. The driver ______ the traffic laws by speeding.
6. I signed up to ______ at the animal shelter on weekends.
7. The library book was a useful ______ for my report.
8. People were ______ against each other at the auction.
Exercise 5: PhonicsSorting
Sort the following words into the correct group based on their ending: -in, -on, or -en.
Words: basin, lemon, kitten, wagon, cabin, mitten, button, robin
1. Ends in -in: ____________________
2. Ends in -in: ____________________
3. Ends in -in: ____________________
4. Ends in -on: ____________________
5. Ends in -on: ____________________
6. Ends in -on: ____________________
7. Ends in -en: ____________________
8. Ends in -en: ____________________
Exercise 6: Homophone Check
Choose the correct homophone to complete the sentence.
1. The wind ______ the leaves off the tree. (blue / blew)
2. I ______ a letter to my grandmother. (wrote / right)
3. The boat set______ across the lake. (sale / sail)
4. They went to ______ house for dinner. (there / their)
5. Can you ______ the bird in the tree? (see / sea)
6. The ______ shined brightly in the sky. (son / sun)
7. I have ______ books in my bag. (for / four)
8. The rabbit disappeared down the ______. (whole / hole)
