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

Choosing precise words

Vocabulary

CCSS L.7.3.ACCSS L.6.3England: KS3 WritingEngland: GCSE English Language (vocabulary for effect)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Choosing precise words.

  • 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: Connotation and denotation

Leads to: Academic vocabulary in context (SAT/ACT); Formal and informal vocabulary

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 (Connotation and denotation). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for a group of people? (audience / mob / gathering / crowd) → mobPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  2. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for a strong smell? (fragrant / pungent / reeking / smelly) → fragrantPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  3. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most POSITIVE connotation for someone thin? (slender / bony / skinny / scrawny) → slenderPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
  • Share the objective: Choosing precise words. 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: Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. Her ___ argument persuaded the whole committee. (convincing)
  • Step 1: Precise vocabulary makes meaning sharper and writing more powerful.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Her compelling argument persuaded the whole committee."
  • Step 3: So the answer is: compelling
  • Answer: compelling
  • 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. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The crowd ___ when the team scored the winning goal. (cheered loudly) (erupted / murmured / sat / sighed) → eruptedPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?
  2. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The mountain path was ___, with loose rocks and steep drops. (dangerous) (flat / treacherous / pleasant / gentle) → treacherousPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?

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. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The volunteers worked ___ to clear the beach. (without stopping) (rarely / briefly / lazily / tirelessly) → tirelesslyPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?
  2. Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The crowd ___ when the team scored the winning goal. (cheered loudly) (erupted / murmured / sat / sighed) → eruptedPrompt: Several words could fit loosely. Which fits exactly?

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: Connotation and denotation.
  • 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: Academic vocabulary in context (SAT/ACT); Formal and informal vocabulary.
  • 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

eurekami

Choosing precise words

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The scientist ___ the results carefully before publishing them. (checked closely)

    • A. noticed
    • B. examined
    • C. looked
    • D. saw

  2. Question 2

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. Her ___ argument persuaded the whole committee. (convincing)

    • A. confusing
    • B. short
    • C. weak
    • D. compelling

  3. Question 3

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The old factory had been ___ for decades. (left empty)

    • A. rebuilt
    • B. repainted
    • C. abandoned
    • D. crowded

  4. Question 4

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. After the long drought, the river had ___ to a trickle. (became smaller)

    • A. grown
    • B. dwindled
    • C. swollen
    • D. flowed

  5. Question 5

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The volunteers worked ___ to clear the beach. (without stopping)

    • A. rarely
    • B. tirelessly
    • C. briefly
    • D. lazily

  6. Question 6

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The crowd ___ when the team scored the winning goal. (cheered loudly)

    • A. murmured
    • B. erupted
    • C. sighed
    • D. sat

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Answer key: Choosing precise words

  1. 1. B. examined

  2. 2. D. compelling

  3. 3. C. abandoned

  4. 4. B. dwindled

  5. 5. B. tirelessly

  6. 6. B. erupted