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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Connotation and denotation

Vocabulary

CCSS L.6.5.CCCSS L.7.5.CEngland: KS3 VocabularyEngland: GCSE English Language (language analysis)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Connotation and denotation.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Shades of meaning; Synonyms

Leads to: Choosing precise words; Advanced diction and nuance; Positive, neutral or negative connotation?

Materials: Word cards, A thesaurus or dictionary, A short text with the target words, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Shades of meaning; Synonyms). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which word is the WEAKEST (least strong)? big, gigantic, huge (big / gigantic / huge) → bigPrompt: These words mean nearly the same thing but some are stronger.
  2. Which word means the SAME as "big"? (large / quick / tiny / soft) → largePrompt: A synonym has the same or nearly the same meaning.
  3. Which word is the STRONGEST? beautiful, stunning, pretty (beautiful / stunning / pretty) → stunningPrompt: These words mean nearly the same thing but some are stronger.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Connotation and denotation. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building?
  • Step 1: Words with similar meanings can carry positive, neutral or negative feelings.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: decrepit
  • Answer: decrepit
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building? (historic / antique / vintage / decrepit) → decrepitPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  2. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for someone who is confident? (assertive / arrogant / bold / self-assured) → arrogantPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for a small house? (tiny / cosy / cramped / poky) → cosyPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  2. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building? (decrepit / historic / antique / vintage) → decrepitPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.

Watch out for

  • Picking a "bigger" synonym that doesn't fit the meaning.
  • Ignoring the clues in the rest of the sentence.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Shades of meaning.
  • Use concrete materials: word cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Choosing precise words; Advanced diction and nuance; Positive, neutral or negative connotation?.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Connotation and denotation

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for someone who is curious?

    • A. nosy
    • B. eager to learn
    • C. inquisitive
    • D. interested

  2. Question 2

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for a small house?

    • A. tiny
    • B. cosy
    • C. cramped
    • D. poky

  3. Question 3

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for a group of people?

    • A. crowd
    • B. mob
    • C. gathering
    • D. audience

  4. Question 4

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for someone who won't change their mind?

    • A. obstinate
    • B. stubborn
    • C. determined
    • D. pig-headed

  5. Question 5

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for someone who saves money?

    • A. cheap
    • B. thrifty
    • C. stingy
    • D. mean

  6. Question 6

    Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building?

    • A. historic
    • B. decrepit
    • C. vintage
    • D. antique

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Answer key: Connotation and denotation

  1. 1. A. nosy

  2. 2. B. cosy

  3. 3. B. mob

  4. 4. C. determined

  5. 5. B. thrifty

  6. 6. B. decrepit