APPLY
ASSESS
TEACHING OPTIONS
Writer’s Corner
Note which students had difficulty identifying exact words. Use the Reteach option with those students who need additional reinforcement.
Reteach
Suggest that students use a print or online thesaurus to find synonyms. After students have created their word webs, have volunteers share their more exact words. Allow small groups to compare word webs. Students should demonstrate the ability to use word webs to help them choose exact words.
On the board write a word such as walk, run, or laugh. Ask students to suggest synonyms for the word and to use these synonyms in sentences. Then invite students to illustrate each synonym. Discuss the slight differences in meaning between the synonyms students chose for the word you wrote. Challenge students to suggest a new word and repeat the activity.
English-Language Learners The ability to detect nuances in meaning between synonyms generally comes after significant practice in speaking and reading a language. You can help English-language learners recognize the importance of using exact words by having the class pantomime different words for move. Point out that the word move does not describe the movement as well as a more exact word, such as jump or dance.
ACTIVITY B Write a sentence for each of the following images. Replace the italicized word with one that is more descriptive. Use a print or online thesaurus for help.
1. a crying baby 2. a snake moving 3. two cats fighting
4. the splash of a waterfall 5. an angry crowd in the street
ACTIVITY C Look at the word in dark type in each row. Arrange the other words in the row according to how exactly they describe the word in dark type. The first one is in the correct order. Pants are a type of clothes, shorts are a type of pants, and bermudas are a type of shorts.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
clothes
pants
move
sprint
hurry
run
color
crimson
hue
red
shorts
bermudas
utensil
pan
cookware skillet
male
son
youth
boy
food
hamburger
beef
meat
sport
race
hurdles
track
meal
eggs
omelet
breakfast
creature fish
shark
hammerhead
music
punk
rock
popular
For Tomorrow
Hammerhead shark
Writer’s Corner Word webs can help you choose exact words. Look at a recent piece of your writing and choose an
lope
dash
Common Core Standards CCSS.ELA.W.6.3d CCSS.ELA.L.6.4d CCSS.ELA.L.6.5c
synonym word web with the
RUN trot
overused word. Create a
Ask students to jot down a common phrase or sentence such as Tomorrow’s forecast is for nice weather. Tell them to be ready to replace a word to make the phrase or sentence more interesting. Be sure to bring in your own phrase or sentence to provide an example.
sprint
overused word in the center and synonyms branching out. If you often overuse a particular word in different pieces of writing, consider making a synonym word web to save for future use. Personal Narratives
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