Summary

The main aim of this lesson is to encourage pupils to think of new vocabulary for descriptive writing. The activities will encourage whole class/group discussion, collaboration and participation. During the introductory frames you may want to use the pen or highlight facility of the interactive whiteboard to focus the pupils on certain aspects.

The boxes in the first two activities are large enough for pupils to add their own synonym suggestions. Once each activity is completed, the teacher can invite pupils to use a pen/finger and write their own suggestions of synonyms into the boxes.

The screen can also be captured as an image by using the capture facility provided with the whiteboard. The image can be printed, resized, pasted into another package or simply re-opened when you want to reinforce the synonyms covered in the session.

Suitable for

Year 5

Prior learning required

Pupils should have some experience in defining familiar vocabulary in their own words, using alternative phrases or expressions.

Aims and objectives

• To encourage pupils to experiment with new vocabulary when describing characters.
• To encourage pupils to group and classify sets of words to support them in their writing.

Using a non-interactive whiteboard

Instead of completing the activities directly on the interactive whiteboard, pupils would use the computer mouse to drag the words into the boxes and sentences. Once an activity has been completed, the teacher can capture it as an image by using the "print screen" facility in Windows. This can then be printed for pupils to add their own synonym suggestions by writing on them. Or the image could be opened by a pupil and used in another package, eg a word processor, to add their own synonym suggestions by using text boxes.

Timings

• Whole class session - possibly guided reading.
  Discuss the introductory frames (5 minutes).
• Activity 1 ? Synonyms for beautiful
  Individual pupils will use the interactive whiteboard and drag words into the box until all three synonyms are found. Encourage lots of discussion and collaboration at this stage (5 minutes). Ask pupils to write their own suggestions of synonyms into the box (5 minutes).
• Activity 2 ?Synonyms for happy
  Individual pupils will use the interactive whiteboard and drag words into the box until all three synonyms are found. Encourage lots of discussion and collaboration at this stage (5 minutes). Ask pupils to write their own suggestions of synonyms into the box (5 minutes).
• Activity 3 ? Descriptive sentences
  Individual pupils will use the interactive whiteboard and drag words into the correct sentence. Encourage lots of discussion and collaboration at this stage (5 minutes). Ask pupils to write their own suggestions of synonyms into the sentences (5 minutes). Ask pupils what would happen to the meaning of the sentence if one of the other words was placed into the sentence (5 minutes).
• Group tasks and Further activities as outlined below (15-20 minutes). Group tasks rotated each day.
• Possible plenary session asking pupils for new words that they have found, to read out character descriptions or to demonstrate finding new words using the synonym facility in MS Word (5 minutes).

Suggestions for group activities

• The activities can be used on computers with internet access, so that a group can work at their own pace through each activity.
• If the group has access to Microsoft Word (97 onwards), then pupils can find new vocabulary by using the synonym facility in Word (right click on a word to access the synonym facility). This can also be done using a thesaurus.
• The group can develop its own character descriptions based on the new vocabulary learnt in the session. Using the interactive whiteboard would be useful to encourage collaboration within the group.

Suggestions for differentiation

• Focusing on specific group sessions using this activity either on individual computers or using the interactive whiteboard.

Further activities

• Using the software that came with the interactive whiteboard, you can create screens that can be specifically targeted for your pupils. The software is very similar to a desktop publishing package but allows objects to be moved more easily. You can create your own activities similar to the three included in this lesson.
• The pupils can apply what they have learnt by writing character descriptions in their creative writing. They could base their characters on people that they know or people who are famous.

Curriculum links

NLS: Year 5 Term 1

Word level work: vocabulary extension 7
Explain the differences between synonyms, eg angry, irritated, frustrated, upset; collect, classify and order sets of words to identify shades of meaning

Text level work: 3
Investigate how characters are presented, referring to the text through dialogue, action and description?