EngageNY
Figurative Language and Word Choice: A Closer Look at Bud, Not Buddy (Chapter 2)
The difference between an average and an unforgettable writing can lie in the author's word choice. The figurative language in Chapter 2 of Christopher Paul Curtis's Newbery Medal Winner, Bud, Not Buddy, is the focus of a series of...
Curated OER
The Power of Words in Charlotte's Web
"How can a few good words save a pig's life?" Posed with this question, your ELD students explore E.B. White's Charlotte's Web in a meaningful, valuable way. By analyzing specific word choice from the book, especially the excerpts...
EngageNY
End of Unit Assessment: How Word Choice Contributes to Tone and Meaning
It's finally time for pupils to show what they know! Scholars finalize the unit with an end-of-unit assessment. They use the book Inside Out & Back Again and the "Forgotten Ship" transcript to examine word choice, tone, and...
Curated OER
The Tell-Tale Hearts of Writers
Knock, knock, knock...Creep out your class with a critical thinking lesson focused on word relationships in Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart." They investigate the relationship between word choice, mood, and interpretation of a...
Curated OER
A Positive Spin
Study word choice and connotation in advertising. Readers examine campaign ads, both negative and positive, from the 2006 mid-term election before discussing an article and analyze a campaign of any candidate they choose. Finally, they...
Curated OER
Press Review
How can word choice affect a political speech? Middle and high schoolers examine the text of the 1999 State of the Union Address, and then determine how newspaper articles and television reports describe and analyze the event. Use this...
Curated OER
Choose Your Words Wisely
Improve word choice! Writers use dictionaries and thesauruses to aid them in choosing exciting words to incorporate in their writing. They rewrite sentences and practice identifying words that can be replaced using a better word. Flip...
Scholastic
Choose Your Words Wisely (Grades 9-12)
Words, words, words. The function of words in persuasive writing is the focus of a group activity that asks members to analyze how words advertisers use are designed to influence targeted audiences.
Virginia Department of Education
Developing an essay: Using specific nouns, strong verbs, and vivid adjectives
Feeling bored and unimpressed with word choice in your class? If so, consider this activity, which focuses on using specific and precise language. Pupils use highlighters, brainstorm independently and in small groups, and create a poster...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Poems vs. Lyrics
Combine your pupils' love of music with their growing knowledge of poetry! First, have them bring in their favorite songs for a discussion on word choice and literary devices. Then, use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Does Mother Nature Know Best?
Investigate herbal medicine in the science or health classroom with this lesson from the New York Times. After a discussion about class members beliefs about and experiences with herbal medicines, pupils read an article that might impact...
Curated OER
Word Roots 6: PLIC, FAC, COGN Advanced Definition Match 3
Instruct your class in vocabulary and word roots and use this online resource as practice. For each word provided, learners choose the letter from a drop-down menu that corresponds with the correct definition for that word. Use it as a...
Curated OER
Latin Roots fin, sed, fer: Synonyms and Antonyms
Secondary etymologists assign synonyms and antonyms to six English words based on the Latin roots fin, sed, and fer. MyVocabulary.com ranks this as beginner-level, but the work is challenging. A 24-item word bank provides two acceptable...
Curated OER
Word Roots: Nat, Tract, Sequ
Challenge your advanced learners with this interactive chart. Your scholars take a list of vocabulary words (composed of synonyms and antonyms) and correctly identify the word it corresponds with.
Curated OER
MyVocabulary.com: Word Roots PLIC, FAC, and COGN Intermediate Crossword Puzzle
A fun and challenging vocabulary exercise that focuses the learner's attention on word root meanings, this crossword puzzle would make a great homework or sponge activity. Pupils are provided with 12 clues and they must come up with...
Florida Center for Reading Research
Vocabulary: Word Meaning, Dictionary Digs
Young scholars dig through dictionaries to uncover the wealth of information they provide. Using the included graphic organizer, children learn about target words by finding their parts of speech, pronunciation, definition, synonyms, and...
Curated OER
Strong Descriptive Writing: James and the Giant Peach
Support your writers! Clear procedures and appropriate support make this a superb resource for elementary writing instruction. Ready your class to compose original descriptive paragraphs inspired by the episode in Roald Dahl's James and...
Curated OER
Word Pairs
Fifth graders practice the trait of word choice and create a narrative writing with appropriate word choices. They work in pairs to write a story using as many word pairs from their imaginations as they can.
Curated OER
Transition Words and Phrases: Road Signs for the Reader
Therefore! However! Furthermore! Explore the power of transition words and phrases. Signal your readers by suggesting the relationship between different thoughts or points. Help them demonstrate an understanding of word relationships.
Curated OER
Latin Roots cern, jur, and leg: Beginner Synonym and Antonym Word Puzzle
Pupils are provided with six vocabulary words containing the word roots cern, jur, and leg as well as a word bank of six corresponding synonyms and antonyms. To complete this word puzzle, they must fill in the appropriate synonym and...
Curated OER
Word Roots 3: CERN, JUR, LEG Beginner Crossword
Print out this crossword puzzle and have your class practice their vocabulary. There is no word bank, so learners will have to truly know the definitions and be able to spell the word to complete this activity. These words are related...
Curated OER
Word Roots 1: DICT, VENT, DUCT Beginner Synonym or Antonym Word Puzzle
Acquaint your class with synonyms, antonyms, and word roots with this vocabulary exercise. For this activity, learners choose one synonym and one antonym for each vocabulary word, using a word bank. Although the connection to word roots...
Curated OER
Word Roots 1: DICT, VENT, DUCT Intermediate Level Synonym or Antonym Word Puzzle
Is your class struggling with synonyms and antonyms? This resource asks learners to identify a synonym and an antonym for six given words. There are various scaffolds in place for pupils including: a word bank, information on word roots,...
Curated OER
Word Roots 2: FIN, SED, FER Intermediate Synonym or Antonym Word Puzzle
If you are looking for a vocabulary worksheet that has a focus on word roots, then this resource might be for you! Using a word bank and knowledge of word roots, learners fill in a synonym and an antonym for each of six words. Have your...