Most teachers haven't sat down and worked through a word matrix.
Some of them look like something you'd need a graduate course to understand.
But a word matrix doesn't have to be complicated.
Take a base word your students already know how to read and spell. Something like jump.
Add a few suffixes: -s, -ed, -ing, -er.
Show your students how to write a word sum using the matrix. For example:
jump + ed --> jumped
Read it this way:
"Base j-u-m-p plus suffix -e-d is rewritten as j-u-m-p-e-d."
Spelling out the word sum helps students notice exactly what happens when a base word and a suffix come together.
Always make sure your students can use any word they build in a sentence so you know they understand it.
You can absolutely build a word matrix with your students from scratch, and there's real value in that. But it's also helpful to have a word matrix ready to go so you're not coming up with bases and morphemes on the fly every time you want to fit morphology into your phonics block.
If you're wondering where to get word sums for use in grades K-3, I have good news.
We've put together 180 word matrix worksheets, differentiated by phonics skill from CVC all the way through less common vowel spellings. You pick the matrix that matches the pattern you're teaching that week, and you've added morphology to your block without adding a separate lesson.
Through Friday, July 31, the bundle is just $10.
P.S. Our Word Matrix Activities are 180 differentiated worksheets that let your students practice phonics and morphology at the same time. Normally $24, just $10 through Friday. Buy now.
Just a note
We are currently rebranding from The Measured Mom, which was our business name for 13 years.
Because of that, you will still see themeasuredmom.com on many of our resources.
We hope to complete the entire transition by the end of 2026.
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