Beacon Lesson Plan Library
Mean Meanings
Martha Todd
Santa Rosa District Schools
Description
Students look up multiple definitions of a word and make sentences. These are shared with classmates who select the word that should fit in the sentence. Students write their own sentences to demonstrate understanding.
Standards
Florida Sunshine State Standards
LA.A.1.2.4.4.1
The student uses a variety of strategies to monitor reading in fourth-grade or higher texts (for example, rereading, self-correcting, summarizing, checking other sources, class and group discussions, questioning whether text makes sense, searching for cues, identifying miscues).
LA.A.1.2.4.5.1
The student uses a variety of strategies to monitor reading in fifth-grade or higher level texts (for example, adjusting reading rate according to purpose and text difficulty, rereading, self-correcting, summarizing, checking other sources, class and group discussions, trying an alternate word).
Florida Process Standards
Information Managers
01 Florida students locate, comprehend, interpret, evaluate, maintain, and apply information, concepts, and ideas found in literature, the arts, symbols, recordings, video and other graphic displays, and computer files in order to perform tasks and/or for enjoyment.
Materials
- Dictionaries (1 per 2 students)
- Paper and pencils for all students
- Sentence strips
- Markers
- Board/chalk
Preparations
1. Prepare a list of multiple meaning words appropriate for students. Be sure to introduce some new meanings. (See Attached Files.)
2. Gather needed materials.
3. Make copies of the Evaluation, one per student. (See Attached Files.)
Procedures
1. Ask one of the students in the class to give you a ring. Dscuss why this could be a confusing request. Help them realize that using words with multiple meaning can be confusing. Without the word being used in context, it is often impossible to know which meaning of the word is being used. Then say, "John (or use a student's name in the class), when you get home today, please give me a ring." Discuss the meaning of "ring" in this sentence and why it was easier to know what type of "ring" was being referenced.
2. Brainstorm and list several words that have multiple meanings. Use some of the suggested words and a few harder ones to do the rest of the lesson. (See Attached Files for suggestions.)
3. Delegate students to work in pairs using a dictionary to write at least two definitions for each word. Have them also write sentences using those definitions for two of the words assigned by the teacher.
4. Check definitions and sentences. (Monitor students as they write providing feedback as deemed necessary.)
5. After approving sentences, have students write their sentences on sentence strips leaving out the multiple meaning word.
6. Instruct students to turn in the sentence strips.
7. Next, write words from the dictionary activity on the board.
8. Have each student select a sentence to read aloud to the class, and the other students decide which word correctly completes the sentence.
9. After this activity, assign students to write sentences with four of the words. Explain that they are to:
a) Write two sentences using each word. Each sentence must use a different meaning of the word.
b) Demonstrate the correct meaning of the word in their sentences.
c) Demonstrate understanding of the word. For example, the following sentence is not acceptable, "Give me a ring." It would not demonstrate understanding of the word.
10. Collect and assess sentences using the Evaluation Form. (See Attached Files.) Return papers to the students, and schedule individual conferences with students as deemed necessary.
Assessments
Students select four words used in the lesson and write two sentences with each word that demonstrates their understanding of the different meanings of the word. Students must:
*Write two sentences using each of the four words. (Each sentence uses a different meaning of the word.)
*Use the word correctly in each sentence.
*Demonstrate knowledge of the meanings of each word.
Students should get ten of the twelve items correct. (83%) (see Evaluation Form, attached)
Note: This is a formative assessment of the GLE (at either of the two grade levels). Since the activity only addresses a portion of the GLE, mastery cannot be determined yet. Additional instruction/assessment is needed.
Extensions
1. Write the words on sentence strips and use them along with the sentences written by the students for a center.
2. A written test using words discussed in your lesson could be given at the conclusion of the activity.
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