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English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Semantic fields: groups of related words

Reading Comprehension

CCSS RL.9-10.4CCSS L.9-10.5England: GCSE English Language Paper 1 Q2England: GCSE English Literature

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Semantic fields: groups of related 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: Naming language techniques (GCSE)

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: A short text or extract (one copy each), Highlighters, Question cards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Naming language techniques (GCSE)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which technique matches this description? Repeating 's' and 'sh' sounds, often to create a soft or sinister effect. (sibilance / pathetic fallacy / metaphor / simile) → sibilancePrompt: Recall the key test for each technique: like/as? human actions? weather? s-sounds? exaggeration? contrast?
  2. Which technique is used here? The baby laughed in the front row while the soldiers' coffins passed. (hyperbole / juxtaposition / sibilance / personification) → juxtapositionPrompt: Check for 'like' or 'as' first, then human actions, then exaggeration.
  3. Type the technique (in English) that matches this description. Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'. → similePrompt: Recall the key test for each technique: like/as? human actions? weather? s-sounds? exaggeration? contrast?

Hook · 3 min

  • Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
  • Share the objective: Semantic fields: groups of related 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: Which semantic field links these words? heaven, sacred, prayer, angel, worship
  • Step 1: A semantic field is a group of words linked by topic; writers use them to build a mood or an extended comparison.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: religion
  • Answer: religion
  • 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. Which semantic field links these words? tide, anchor, harbour, voyage, stern (building / the sea and sailing / space travel / sport) → the sea and sailingPrompt: What topic or area of life do all the words belong to?
  2. Which semantic field does the writer use here, and why? "The market was a symphony: vendors sang out prices, pans clattered in rhythm and the crowd hummed." (war, to make the market seem dangerous / law, to show trading is illegal / music, to make the busy market seem harmonious and lively / illness, to suggest the vendors are unwell) → music, to make the busy market seem harmonious and livelyPrompt: Pick out the words that don't literally belong to the topic being described.

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. Which semantic field does the writer use here, and why? "Her ideas blossomed, took root and soon bore fruit across the whole company." (darkness, to suggest danger / war, to show conflict in the company / food, to suggest she is hungry / growth and plants, to show her ideas developing successfully) → growth and plants, to show her ideas developing successfullyPrompt: Pick out the words that don't literally belong to the topic being described.
  2. Which semantic field links these words? glittering, dazzling, radiant, gleaming, sparkling (darkness / sadness / light and brightness / sound) → light and brightnessPrompt: What topic or area of life do all the words belong to?

Watch out for

  • Answering from memory or opinion instead of evidence in the text.
  • Copying a long quote without explaining what it shows.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Naming language techniques (GCSE).
  • Use concrete materials: a short text or extract (one copy each).
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • 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-9.

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

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Semantic fields: groups of related words

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which semantic field does the writer use here, and why? "Her ideas blossomed, took root and soon bore fruit across the whole company."

    • A. food, to suggest she is hungry
    • B. war, to show conflict in the company
    • C. darkness, to suggest danger
    • D. growth and plants, to show her ideas developing successfully

  2. Question 2

    Which semantic field links these words? verdict, witness, defendant, jury, guilty

    • A. law and justice
    • B. school
    • C. weather
    • D. religion

  3. Question 3

    Which semantic field does the writer use here, and why? "The market was a symphony: vendors sang out prices, pans clattered in rhythm and the crowd hummed."

    • A. music, to make the busy market seem harmonious and lively
    • B. war, to make the market seem dangerous
    • C. law, to show trading is illegal
    • D. illness, to suggest the vendors are unwell

  4. Question 4

    Which semantic field links these words? blossom, bloom, seed, root, wither

    • A. food
    • B. war
    • C. plants and growth
    • D. machines

  5. Question 5

    Which semantic field does the writer use here, and why? "The striker launched an attack, fired at goal and the defence crumbled under the bombardment."

    • A. weather, to show it was raining
    • B. cooking, to make it sound appetising
    • C. law, to suggest a crime
    • D. war, to make the match sound like a battle

  6. Question 6

    Which semantic field links these words? battle, retreat, ambush, conquer, victory

    • A. weather
    • B. war and conflict
    • C. cooking
    • D. sport

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Answer key: Semantic fields: groups of related words

  1. 1. D. growth and plants, to show her ideas developing successfully

  2. 2. A. law and justice

  3. 3. A. music, to make the busy market seem harmonious and lively

  4. 4. C. plants and growth

  5. 5. D. war, to make the match sound like a battle

  6. 6. B. war and conflict