Learning Map Where we’re up to

The Prefix un-

Your child can add un- to a word to make its opposite. They can spell unhappy, unfair and undo correctly.

In curriculum terms

Spell words using the prefix un- to change meaning; understand that un- creates opposites or reverses actions

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

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Try this together

Does your child know that adding "un-" to the front of a word like "happy" or "lock" flips its meaning, and can they spell those words correctly?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on
Phonics Vocabularyages 4–7Spelling with prefixes requires knowing 'prefix' and 'root word' as distinct, named concepts
Segmenting words into soundsages 4–7Must spell root words before adding prefixes
The Prefix un-this skill · ages 5–6
Unlocks
Prefixesages 7–10Prefix spelling Y3 builds on prefix un- from Y1

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

All Spelling & Word Study skills →