Synonym word bags

The purpose of Word Bags is to give students a resource for finding synonyms for overused words that they use in their writing on a daily basis. Students will fill Word Bags with synonyms for frequently used words.

A lesson plan for grades 3–4 English Language Arts

By DPI Writing Strategies

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

• learn to identify overused words.
• learn to replace overused words with less common synonyms

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

30 minutes

Materials/resources

• Plastic Baggies
• Index Cards (colored ones for the labels, white ones for the words inside)
• Clear wide tape

Activities

1. Print overused words on colored index cards. Tape one word to the outside of a plastic bag.
2. For instance, write the word bad on a colored index card and tape it securely to the outside of the plastic bag. As a class, brainstorm synonyms for bad and write them on white index cards (each on a separate card). For this “bad” bag you might have words such as: evil, wicked, rotten, contaminated, substandard, horrible, atrocious, deplorable, etc.
3. All of these words go inside the “bad” bag.
4. Other examples of overused words to be printed on additional bags might be: said, ask, pretty, big, dark, do, end, help, sad, happy, get, fast, lazy, etc.
5. As the number of Word Bags grows, the bags are all kept in a “Word Corner” or “Word Center.”
6. When students need to use a new word or find a more interesting word to add precision to their writing, this center will provide a resource for finding synonyms that are appropriate for a particular context.

Extension Activities

7. These bags can also be used in a Work Station or Learning Center. The white word cards can be removed from the correct bag, mixed together, and then later sorted into appropriate Word Bags. This activity enhances students’ vocabulary.
8. The teacher can add new Word Bags with synonyms for other overused words throughout the school year. The inventory of Word Bags will increase throughout the year.
9. Students can collect new synonyms for overused words from books they read during the year and add them to the Word Bags.

Assessment

Throughout the year, check that students are using synonyms for overused words in their writing.