Use a Thesaurus to Choose Precise Words

Walk through the labeled orbit entry together before students answer. Then let them work alone on guide words and the thesaurus sheet.

Use thesaurus entries for said, good and big to pick the precise synonym in 8 sentences. A thesaurus lists synonyms, words with almost the same meaning, so you can pick the most precise one. The directions on the page read: Read the three thesaurus entries. For each sentence, choose the synonym that fits the details best and write it on the line. Use each synonym only once. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 6th Grade vocabulary, and the page works the same whether it lands on a kitchen table or a center rotation. At home, most families go through it together and talk the answers out loud, and that talking is where most of the learning happens with dictionary and thesaurus skills. In class it runs well as independent work while you pull a small group. Print one copy or thirty, whichever the day needs.

The entry on Read a Dictionary Entry says orbit comes from the Latin orbita, wheel track, probably from orbis, circle.

They read the labels n., v. and adj. in each entry. Swift is a noun in a sentence about a bird nesting in a chimney and an adjective in a sentence about a river.

Use a Thesaurus to Choose Precise Words lists asked, complained, explained, shouted and whispered, and students pick the one that fits each sentence.