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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 someone who talks a lot? (outgoing / chatterbox / talkative / sociable) → chatterboxPrompt: 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? (self-assured / bold / assertive / arrogant) → arrogantPrompt: Denotation is the dictionary meaning; connotation is the feeling a word carries.
  3. Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building? (antique / decrepit / historic / vintage) → decrepitPrompt: 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 detective noticed a ___ difference between the two signatures. (very small) (obvious / massive / loud / subtle) → subtlePrompt: 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 scientist ___ the results carefully before publishing them. (checked closely) (examined / noticed / saw / looked) → examinedPrompt: 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 old factory had been ___ for decades. (left empty) (repainted / rebuilt / abandoned / crowded) → abandonedPrompt: 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 scientist ___ the results carefully before publishing them. (checked closely) (looked / saw / examined / noticed) → examinedPrompt: 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

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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 old factory had been ___ for decades. (left empty)

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

  2. Question 2

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

  3. Question 3

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

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

  4. Question 4

    Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. The detective noticed a ___ difference between the two signatures. (very small)

    • A. massive
    • B. subtle
    • C. loud
    • D. obvious

  5. Question 5

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

  6. Question 6

    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)

    • A. treacherous
    • B. pleasant
    • C. gentle
    • D. flat

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Answer key: Choosing precise words

  1. 1. B. abandoned

  2. 2. B. examined

  3. 3. A. compelling

  4. 4. B. subtle

  5. 5. B. dwindled

  6. 6. A. treacherous