Synonyms

This past week, we learned about synonyms.  The kids really grasped the concept by mid-week!  I am excited to see them start using synonyms in their writing during Writing Workshop!  Below are a few of the activities we did.  There are also some FREEBIES for you!

My "Levels J-K" guided reading pack has a lot of synonym activities in it.  The poster below is one of the goodies in it.  See it HERE. 

This is a cute anchor chart that I thought about making.  Click HERE to see it on Pinterest.

We watched THIS video clip/song each day.  Warning:  It gets stuck in your head!

We did a whole-group sort one day where we honed in on a few words and added some synonyms for them.  This display will remain up for the remainder of the year.  The kids use it during Writing Workshop.  You can do this with any list of words!  I tried to pick common ones for mine.

 Here's a close up from a past year.

We read a few books and practiced saying sentences orally with Lakeshore's shades of meaning word fans.  These are also excellent for Writing Workshop!

A few years ago, we made sunny synonyms.  The kids wrote a word in the middle and wrote synonyms for it around it.  You can get the free sun printable HERE.  Warning:  This was made as one of my first products!  Back in 2012 I think!  Don't judge!

For Literacy Centers, we practiced matching cheese to mice.  The cutouts were from Dollar Tree several years ago.  Grab the free labels and recording sheet HERE.  

We partnered up and did this match from Anna Brantley.  I tried to find it for you but couldn't.  I downloaded it years ago and I'm sure it was free.

We did a quick cut and paste from Lavina Pop.  You can get it HERE for free by downloading the preview of her product.

Hope you found some new ideas to add to your bag of tricks!
xo
Megan

Spicing up Writing Workshop

At this point in the year, we are working like champions during writing workshop!!  The kids know the routines and know how to focus during writing time.  We've been through many of my writing units so far this year and are wrapped up How-To on Friday.  Because we had a plethora of snow days/delays, I decided it was best to go back to narrative writing for a bit.  I squeezed it in between our How-To unit and kind of alternated it...just to see...I expected the kids stories to be horrendous.  BUT much to my surprise, they were phenomenal!  I almost cried tears of joy when I saw the content they were producing!

--Rewind--I wanted to spice up the "impromptu narrative writing" a bit.  We recently worked on synonyms and I knew I could tie them into our writing.  So I got out some library pockets, whipped up some labels, grabbed my stash of craft sticks and went to town.  I thought of many of the most common "boring words" that kids use in their stories and made a pocket for each.  I added craft sticks with synonyms to the pockets. I had the kids help me sort them as a synonym review.  Now, they are on our bulletin board, available for use during writing time!  The kids have been using them like crazy!  Of course, I make a HUGE deal about it when someone "chooses a fancy-schmancy word to use in their writing!"  This is such a simple way to spice up writing time.  Adding the novelty of a few craft sticks can make a world of difference!

xo
Megan

Synonym Board 

"My brother was being kind to me" 

"I am groovy!"

For more ideas with popsicle sticks, click the picture above! 

Sunny Synonyms

We've been learning about synonyms! I created this little sun art project for students to gain more exposure to synonyms.  We began by thinking of synonyms to go with three words that I had pre-selected.  Then, students were able to choose a list to put on their suns.  Fun! Click here for the freebie.  Feedback and comments are always appreciated.

Copy the templates on colored paper

Here's the poster we created together beforehand

My sample

Student work

Student work