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Synonyms

Activity

Synonyms

Grade Levels

6th Grade

Course, Subject

English Language Arts
Related Academic Standards
CC.1.4.6.B CC.1.4.6.B
Identify and introduce the topic for the intended audience.
CC.1.4.6.F CC.1.4.6.F
Demonstrate a grade-appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
CC.1.4.6.K CC.1.4.6.K
Write with an awareness of the stylistic aspects of composition. • Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. • Use sentences of varying lengths and complexities. • Develop and maintain a consistent voice • Establish and maintain a formal style.
CC.1.4.6.M CC.1.4.6.M
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events.
CC.1.4.6.N CC.1.4.6.N
Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters.
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Description

This lesson plan will help students identify synonyms and use a thesaurus as a tool to revise and enhance writing.

Length of Time

45 minutes

Materials

SMART Board or overhead projector, class set of thesauri, list of words, paper, and pens/pencils.

Objective

Students will identify synonyms and learn to use a thesaurus as a tool to revise and enhance writing.

Anticipatory Set

Students will write the definition of the word synonym (words that have the same meaning). Then they will be asked to think of a synonym for a group of words ( i.e, frown, outstanding, rough, happy, big, and tired) and write them down. Next, as a class, students will review and discuss the definition of a synonym. Then students will share and compare their responses to the group of words.

Modeling

The teacher will ask students: "What is a thesaurus?" (A collection of synonyms and antonyms), and "Why might someone need to use a thesaurus?" (To find a word that truly captures what they are trying to communicate in a more creative way). The teacher will then model three (3) sentences for the students, referring to a thesaurus for help in choosing more creative synonyms to replace 'boring" or "ordinary" words (in parentheses)in the sentences. (Example sentences: 1-The lemon cake tasted (good) delicious. 2-The (tall) towering buildings were lined up and down the street. 3-We (watched) observed the difficult dance moves carefully.)

Activity (Student Practice)

A list of twenty (20) words will be displayed on the SMART Board. Students will be asked to revise the list by replacing the twenty (20) "boring" words with more "creative" synonyms. Students can use a thesaurus if they are having difficulty thinking of synonyms for the words. (List of Words: (1) hot, (2) look, (3) smart, (4) small, (5) tall, (6) laugh, (7) bright, (8) loud, (9) fun, (10) slow, (11) nice, (12) dirty, (13) old, (14) wide, (15) run, (16) sick, (17) scared, (18) mad, (19) skinny, (20) pretty.)

Conclusion (Discussion)

After students have had a chance to independently work on the lists, a few volunteers will be asked to explain how and/or why the synonyms they have chosen are better than the original words.

Extension/Homework

Write one (1) sentence for each pair of synonyms. Follow example: The tall buildings were lined up and down the street. The towering buildings were lined up and down the street.

Assessment

Students will be evaluated on their revised word lists. They should have twenty (20) words correctly replaced with more creative synonyms.
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