you could also have them look for patterns...
like A

some words start with A (amoral, atypical, abyss, )are connected (by A) and other A(l) words (alcohol,) are connected in other ways..
and then there is about.. (is there a word bout? (sure) and what is the function of the A--or is about 'whole' word in its self?)

it can be a lifelong habit of looking at words.. (and while there are always exceptions, learning to 'break apart" (and put together words!) can be fun (and can help when you come to unknown words... an understanding will help make good guesses (and good guess can add points to SAT scores!)

my other obsession