December 1.

2015
Grade ____4/5______
lesson_

Activity __One Special Tree Synonym Story

Goals/Key questions
Goals: Students will learn to recognize synonyms and use them to extend word
choice in own writing.
Objective (connected to PofS):
Grade 5: 4.1: extend word choice through knowledge of synonyms, antonyms and
homonyms and the use of a thesaurus

Pre lesson Considerations

Lesson overview of main ideas to be learned and pre-learning required:
-Students will see how word choice adds to writing and will extend own word choice
through synonyms.
Materials needed/pre-set up required/logistical considerations needed
(seating arrangement):
-Power point and Story book

- 26 Synonym sheets

45 mins

What is the teacher doing?

Introductio
n

-Open up PowerPoint and refer to as the story is read.

-Introduce synonyms to the class:
A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly the same
or almost the same thing as another word.
-Give students a few examples on the Power point.

Time
estimation 3
mins
Transition
consideratio
ns
1 min
Activity 1
(add more if
needed)

Time est:
5 mins

Transition
consideratio
ns
1 min
Activity 2

-Tell students to turn over the page you placed on their desks and
take out a highlighter.
-Tell students that I am going to be pulling words out of the story.
When I say my word they are going to listen for the word on the
page and then look at their sheet and find the word that is a
synonym to the word stated.
-Direct students to highlight the synonym word on their page.
-Tell students that once the story is complete almost all the boxes
should be highlighted except for a few.
-Tell students that the remaining boxes will then be used to decipher
the hidden message that they will write at the bottom of their page.
-Ask if there are any questions.
-Begin reading the story once all questions have been answered.
Read the story and stop at the top of each page. Tell students the

Time Est:
approx
20 min

word they are listening for and click to the next slide so that they
can see it on the board.
Once the page is read ask students what the synonym for the word
is and have them highlight the word they think it is. Show the
answer on the PowerPoint.
Conclusion -Give students one minute to decipher the hidden message and ask
one volunteer to read their answer aloud.
Approx. 5
-Remind students that finding synonyms to words can make their
mins
own stories a lot more interesting and using a thesaurus can be a
helpful way to find better more creative words to use to add interest
to your story.
Assessment: Formative assessment will be used through conversations and
observations of student answers to synonym questions and their filled in synonym
sheets and hidden message deciphered.
Extension and extra time activity: Students must go back to one of their stories
and using a thesaurus find better words for the ones used in their story (editing
process).
Reflection on how the lesson went.