ALEX | Alabama Learning Exchange

Using Word Webs to Teach Synonyms for Commonly Used Words

Classroom Resource Information

Title:

Using Word Webs to Teach Synonyms for Commonly Used Words

URL:

http://readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/using-word-webs-teach-282.html

Content Source:

ReadWriteThink

Type:

Lesson/Unit Plan

Overview:

"I feel good." "It was nice." "That was bad." Students respond to teachers' questions with these generic descriptions all the time, leaving teachers to dig deeper to figure out what students are really trying to say. Second-language learners also struggle to use descriptive words in written and oral language and tend to overuse common words, such as good, bad, and nice, due to their lack of knowledge of specific synonyms. In this multisession lesson, word webs are used to expose students to synonyms for common words, to help students choose synonyms that are appropriate for a given context, and to encourage students to use more descriptive words in their speech and writing. Student pairs then use words from the web in a skit they present to the class.

Content Standard(s):

English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	R1. Utilize active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings, following agreed-upon rules for participation. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R1. Active listening Discussion Conversation Rules Participation Knowledge: R1. Students know: Active listening skills. How to engage in discussions and conversations in a variety of settings. Agreed-upon rules for participation. Skills: R1. Students are able to: Demonstrate active listening skills during discussion and conversation in pairs, small groups, or whole-class settings. Converse in pairs, small groups, and large groups. Practice the agreed-upon rules for participation. Understanding: R1. Students understand that: Conversations and discussions follow agreed-upon rules which help us actively listen and gain understanding.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	R2. Use context clues to determine meanings of unfamiliar spoken or written words. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R2. Context clues Determine Unfamiliar spoken words Unfamiliar written words Knowledge: R2. Students know: Context clues in speech or text can provide the meaning of unfamiliar words. There are different types of context clues, including inference/general clues, definition/explanation clues, restatement/synonym clues, and contrast/antonym clues. Context clues in text are often indicated by punctuation marks. Skills: R2. Students are able to: Use context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words in speech. Use context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words in text. Understanding: R2. Students understand that: An author or a speaker use context clues to explain the meaning of unusual words or academic, domain-specific vocabulary.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	R4. Utilize a writing process to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writings in various genres. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: R4. Writing process Plan Draft Revise Edit Publish Genres Knowledge: R4. Students know: The writing process steps are to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish. Various genres of writing. Skills: R4. Students are able to: Plan writings in various genres. Draft writings in various genres. Revise writings in various genres. Edit writings in various genres. Publish writings in various genres. Understanding: R4. Students understand that: The writing process is a set of steps that make writing easier. There are different categories, or genres, of writing that can be used for different purposes.
English Language Arts ELA2021 (2021) Grade: 6	24. Write about research findings independently over short and/or extended periods of time. Unpacked Content Teacher Vocabulary: 24. Research findings Knowledge: 24. Students know: Research strategies. Independent writing skills. Skills: 24. Students are able to: Write about their research findings. Understanding: 24. Students understand that: They can demonstrate their thorough understanding of a topic by writing about their research findings. Some research projects will be shorter, while others will be longer.

Tags:

Crossword Puzzles, descriptive words, synonym, word webs

License Type:

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This resource provided by:

Author:

Cassie Raulston

ALEX Classroom Resource

Using Word Webs to Teach Synonyms for Commonly Used Words