• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Words with more than one meaning). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? Please wave to Grandma from the window. (wave) (a curl in hair / move your hand to say hello / a moving ridge of water / a sudden feeling) → move your hand to say helloPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
2. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? Can you match the socks into pairs? (match) (be equal to / a game between teams / a stick that makes fire / find things that go together) → find things that go togetherPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
3. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? The bark of the oak tree was rough. (bark) (a kind of boat / the outer layer of a tree / the sound a dog makes / to shout) → the outer layer of a treePrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Homographs: same spelling, different meaning (wind, tear, bow). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Use the sentence to decide. Can you lead the team onto the pitch? What does "lead" mean here?
• Step 1: Context tells you which meaning of a homograph is meant.
• Step 2: So the answer is: guide in front
• Answer: guide in front
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Use the sentence to decide. A tear rolled down her cheek. What does "tear" mean here? (a rip in paper / a drop of water from the eye / a small cut / a fast run) → a drop of water from the eyePrompt: Homographs are spelt the same but have different meanings (and sometimes different sounds).
2. Read the sentence and choose how the word is said. "Please close the door." Does "close" rhyme with "nose" or "dose"? (dose / nose) → nosePrompt: First work out what the word means in this sentence.

• 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the sentence and choose how the word is said. "The shop is close to my house." Does "close" rhyme with "nose" or "dose"? (dose / nose) → dosePrompt: First work out what the word means in this sentence.
2. Use the sentence to decide. Remember to wind up the toy before you let it go. What does "wind" mean here? (a strong storm / turn something round and round / moving air / blow softly) → turn something round and roundPrompt: Homographs are spelt the same but have different meanings (and sometimes different sounds).

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.