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Visuwords Online Visual Dictionary: Synonym Chart Assignment
Details
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Activity Website:
Activity Description
In this activity, students will work individually or in pairs or small groups to create synonym charts using the Web site Visuwords.
Preparation
- Make sure that the Example Web Site (above) is not blocked at your school site.
- Prepare a list of commonly-used (and overused) words to assign (such as big, nice, good, etc.). The Example Document (above) shows a synonym chart for the word "big."
- Become familiar with the site and its legend.
- Decide if you will have students work individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Also decide how to distribute the link to the Web site to your students. There are some options shown in the Teaching Tips section below.
How-To
- Explain to students that you would like them to expand their vocabularies and learn synonyms for commonly-used and over-used words, providing examples, so that they can speak and write using more descriptive terminology.
- Distribute a word list and assign a word or words to an individual, pairs, or a small group.
- Have students open the Example Web Site (above) for Visuwords. Students will type in their assigned or chosen word(s) in the field near the top of the page. Demonstrate and explain the legend on the left side of the page.
- Have students write down synonyms for their words. Have students create a synonym chart (see Example Document - Sample Synonyms for Big Chart) in a word-processing program, and print it. You could also use a flip chart if you wanted to do this as a class.
- Display the synonym charts in the classroom. Encourage students to consult the charts to increase their vocabulary..
Teacher Tips
In order get students to the Web site, you can make it a Favorite or Bookmark the site on each computer browser, e-mail them the link, e-mail a word processing document with the link in it, or post the link on your class Web page.
More Ways
- The site is helpful for students to use as a visual dictionary anytime they need to better understand vocabulary taught in class or use in class texts.
Program Areas
- ABE: Adult Basic Education
- ASE: High School Equivalency Preparation
- ESL: English as a Second Language
Levels
- Low
- Intermediate
- High
- All Levels
Lesson Plan
Warm-up
Engagement
Activity: Synonym Brainstorming
Time: 5-10 minutes
Procedure:
- Ask students to think of as many synonyms as they can for the word "big."
- In pairs, have students share their words aloud then share them with the class, while you list them on the board.
- Discuss the importance of using varied vocabulary to enhance writing and speaking skills.
Introduction
Engagement
Activity: Introduction to Synonyms and Visuwords
Time: 10 minutes
Procedure:
- Explain the concept of synonyms and why they are important in writing.
- Introduce Visuwords as an online tool for exploring word relationships and synonyms.
- Demonstrate how to use Visuwords by showing how to look up the word "big" and explaining the legend on the site.
- Students turn to their neighbor and discuss the expanded definitions of 'big"
- What are ways this 'dictionary might be helpful? Write down answers on the board
Presentation
Activity: Demonstration of Synonym Chart Creation
Time: 10 minutes
Procedure:
- Show students an example of a completed synonym chart using the projected screen or printed handouts (e.g., the Example Document - Sample Synonyms for Big Chart).
- Walk through the process of creating a synonym chart in a word-processing program.
Practice
Engagement
Enhancement
Activity: Creating Synonym Charts
Time: 20-30 minutes
Procedure:
- Distribute the prepared list of commonly used words.
- Assign words to individuals, pairs, or small groups.
- Have students access Visuwords and explore the synonyms for their assigned words.
- Students will then create their own synonym charts using a word-processing program or a flip chart.
- Ensure students print or save their charts for the next step.
Evaluation
Engagement
Enhancement
Activity: Peer Review and Feedback
Time: 15 minutes
Procedure:
- Pair up students or groups to share their synonym charts.
- Have students review each other’s charts and provide constructive feedback on the variety and accuracy of synonyms.
- Encourage students to suggest additional synonyms if they can think of any.
Application
Engagement
Enhancement
Extension
Activity: Vocabulary Integration
Time: Ongoing
Procedure:
- Display the completed synonym charts around the classroom.
- Encourage students to refer to these charts when writing or speaking.
- Assign writing tasks where students must use at least three synonyms from the charts in their work.
- Periodically revisit and add to the charts as new vocabulary words are learned.
Extension Activity
Encourage students to use Visuwords as a visual dictionary for understanding vocabulary from class texts or for any writing assignments
Documents
- Synomyms for Big accessible.docx - Synonyms for Big
Subjects
- Language Arts - Reading
- Comprehension
- Reading
- Vocabulary
Standards
- Reading
- CCR Anchor 4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
- Speaking and Listening
- CCR Anchor 1 - Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- Language
- CCR Anchor 4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
- CCR Anchor 5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- CCR Anchor 6 - Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Tags
writing, clarity, description, dictionary, increase vocabulary, intermediate, synonyms, terminology, visual, visuwords, vocabulary, advanced