ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

In this activity, the students will be introduced to antonyms, synonyms, and homonyms using examples on index cards. Teaching students to read and write often involves teaching them about how language works in general. This lesson focuses on strategies you can use for teaching synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms. Giving students an understanding of the aforementioned phenomena leads to better comprehension, better spelling, and more expressive writing. 

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (5) 12 :

12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

Students will distinguish literal from nonliteral language and learn how to use context clues to distinguish if a word or phrase is literal or nonliteral. Students will complete two activities in which they distinguish between literal and nonliteral language in text and write their own nonliteral language.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (2) 16 :

16. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words.

a. Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.

b. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives.

Examples: Act out jog, gallop, and sprint to distinguish shades of meaning in words related to run.
pretty, beautiful, gorgeous; tiny, small, petite

c. Use knowledge of homophones to determine use of the correct word.

d. With prompting and support, interpret figurative language.

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

Practice how to show, not tell, with similes in this Story Pirates video from Camp TV. Get ready to get creative and use your imagination!

This resource will support students as they interpret similes. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (2) 16 :

16. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words.

a. Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.

b. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives.

Examples: Act out jog, gallop, and sprint to distinguish shades of meaning in words related to run.
pretty, beautiful, gorgeous; tiny, small, petite

c. Use knowledge of homophones to determine use of the correct word.

d. With prompting and support, interpret figurative language.

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) -5 :

R2. Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar spoken or written words.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (4) 16 :

16. Describe how authors use literary devices and text features to convey meaning in prose, poetry, and drama.

a. Identify clues in the text to recognize implicit meanings.

b. Apply prior knowledge to textual clues to draw conclusions about the author's meaning.

c. Make an inference about the meaning of a text and support it with textual evidence.

Students will watch a video clip with a Native American storyteller telling a traditional story. Students will use supporting evidence from the story to give meaning to oral and written texts. Students listen to a Native American folktale and later give meaning to oral and written texts using supporting evidence from the story. When learners can interpret the meanings of phrases by using supporting evidence in a text, they are using contextual clues. These learners clearly comprehend the explicit and implied information that is available in the text.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (5) 12 :

12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

[ELA2021] (6) 1 :

1. Identify and explain an author's rhetorical choices, including point of view, purpose, anecdotes, and figurative, connotative, and technical word meanings, to develop central and supporting ideas.

Discover how authors use figurative language to enhance their writing and explore the differences between similes and metaphors in this animated video from WNET. Discussion questions below help students to further apply their understanding before analyzing a text.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (2) 16 :

16. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words.

a. Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.

b. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives.

Examples: Act out jog, gallop, and sprint to distinguish shades of meaning in words related to run.
pretty, beautiful, gorgeous; tiny, small, petite

c. Use knowledge of homophones to determine use of the correct word.

d. With prompting and support, interpret figurative language.

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

This figurative language game helps to give children exposure to creative writing styles in a fun and engaging manner. Cell Shock also offers a sensory details option. This classroom resource also includes a quiz, worksheet, and teaching video to help with understanding.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (2) 16 :

16. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words.

a. Use knowledge of antonyms and synonyms.

b. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives.

Examples: Act out jog, gallop, and sprint to distinguish shades of meaning in words related to run.
pretty, beautiful, gorgeous; tiny, small, petite

c. Use knowledge of homophones to determine use of the correct word.

d. With prompting and support, interpret figurative language.

[ELA2021] (3) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (5) 11 :

11. Acquire and use grade-level vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Help Radly journey through 10 sci-fi levels of action. Find the barrel that matches the correct answer and blast it with your ray gun. Be careful, though, all kinds of alien bats and drones will try to stop you on your way. Pick from 7 different skills ranging from grades second through sixth in one of our fantastic robot games for kids. Skills include vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, cause and effect, making inferences, and context clues.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (5) 12 :

12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

In this classroom resource, students will demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms). This informational resource offers videos, games, and worksheets to help further understand the concept.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

In this classroom resource, students will learn how to distinguish between attributive adjectives and predicative adjectives. Attributive adjectives come before a noun and tell the qualities or attributes of nouns. Predicative adjectives go after the verb, in the second position. They often function as the object of the verb. Since the verb and the object are the predicates of the sentence, we use the term "predicative." This resource offers videos, games, and worksheets to help further understand the concept.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

This is an online interactive about soundalike words (homophones) from Merriam-Webster. Words like their/there and to/too are “homophones” — they sound alike but have different meanings, so they often cause mistakes. Students can try playing this quiz of other tricky homophones and see how well they do/dew. Students may choose to set the timer or play without the timer. 

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 3 :

3. Apply oral literacy skills by participating in a variety of oral language activities.

Examples: plays, dramas, choral readings, oral reports

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 42 :

42. Write poetry or prose in response to visual images to interpret their meanings.

Can athletes' moves be described as beautiful? How are grace, beauty, and aesthetics expressed through movement? These and many other questions will provide the framework for students' exploration of poetry in motion of athletes who participate in a variety of sports. Examining examples from their own experiences and from popular media, students learn about the aesthetic elements of athletics. After viewing images of various athletes, students create a class word wall with adjectives that describe movement. Students then write in reflective journals, view and interpret media, conduct Internet research, take digital photographs, and create original poems. As a culminating activity, the teacher presents students' poetry to the class in a multimedia presentation.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [ELA2021] (3) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 14 :

14. Describe word relationships and nuances in word meanings, including relating them to their opposites and distinguishing shades of meaning in similar or related words, including nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

a. Determine meaning of words using synonyms in context.

b. Determine meaning of words using antonyms as a clue.

c. Describe the similarities and differences between related words.

d. Use knowledge of homophones to determine appropriate use of words.

e. Interpret figurative language.

f. Identify relationships and nuances in word meanings to determine real-life connections between words and their use.

Examples: Discuss relationships in words related to home (house, residence, habitat) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to bad (terrible, awful, horrible) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.
Distinguish shades of meaning in words related to talk (yell, scream, bellow) and give reasons for choosing a particular word in speaking or writing.

[ELA2021] (3) 17 :

17. Use grade-level academic and domain-specific vocabulary in writing.

[ELA2021] (4) -3 :

R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (4) 10 :

10. Interpret words and phrases, including figurative language, as they are used in a text.

a. Explain how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

b. Explain how figurative language contributes to the meaning of text, including simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

[ELA2021] (5) -3 :

R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres.

[ELA2021] (5) 12 :

12. Interpret the meaning of words, phrases, and patterns as they are used in texts, including domain-specific and academic vocabulary and figurative language.

a. Locate similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, imagery, alliteration, onomatopoeia, and idioms and interpret their meanings in context.

b. Explain the meanings of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.

c. Use the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homographs to increase understanding of word meanings.

d. Explain how an author's vocabulary and style influence the tone and mood of a text and support his/her purpose for writing.

e. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meanings of words.

Students' vocabulary is expanded and their writing is enriched when they are encouraged to use a variety of adjectives to help readers "see, taste, and feel" what they've written. In this unit for grades 3 through 5, picture books are used as a springboard for helping students define, identify, and practice using adjectives and synonyms. They develop webbed lists and then put their new vocabulary skills to use by writing form poems.