Word Relationships

Description

The lesson will help your students discover the connections and relationships between words by using strategies to sort words by nuances, determine word meanings, and sort words into categories.  Many students at this level have a wide vocabulary but may not be able to see the relationships between the words.  Learning these relationships will help them improve their writing and find the “right” descriptive word to use.  The lesson helps students recognize the meanings of words beyond their basic definitions, and how they connect words to other words.  The lesson could be used in conjunction with other similar language arts lessons.

Sample Classroom Procedure / Teacher Instruction: 

1. Mix up and display a list of living things and non-living things. Read the list aloud to students.  Ask students if the list can be sorted into different categories.
2. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask students other ways the things could be listed into categories.
3. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask students why it is sometimes important to list things in categories.  Ask students if words have special relationships with each other and how.
4. Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce Word Relationships.
5. Distribute Word Relationships content pages. Read and review the information with the students.  Use the additional resources to enhance understanding.
6. Distribute Activity pages. Read and review the instructions.  Pair students.  Remind students every line does not need to be filled.  Some categories may have just a few words, other categories may have more.  Distribute scissors.  Tell students to read through the words carefully.
7. Calculate through the room guiding students. Once completed, allow students to share each category and how they sorted some of the words.
8. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ responses.
9. Distribute the Homework page. The next day, check and review the students’ responses.
10. In closing, ask students: Choose a favorite category of persons, places, or things and share it with the class. What is sorted into the category?  Why is it your favorite?

Common Core State Standards: 

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.5

Class Sessions (45 minutes): At least 2 class sessions.

Additional Resources: 

• http://www.cuesta.edu/student/resources/ssc/study_guides/vocabulary/807_vocab_relations.html
• https://www.opened.com/assessment/demonstrate-understanding-of-figurative-language-word-relationships-and-nuances-in-word-meanings/1075330 (Interactive)
• https://prezi.com/m82gdmpfengy/language-standard-5-explore-word-relationships-and-nuances/

Want more language arts resources? Check out our other Language Arts Lesson Plans!