LITERACY FOCUS Improving vocabulary O If you have to write about something, finding the right word can sometimes be difficult. If you had to describe this cat, which would be most appropriate word? 1 Cute 2 Nice 3 Good 4 Lovely O Rank these words in order of suitability (which suits the picture).

Finding the right word… all of these words are synonyms. O What is a synonym? O A synonym is a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase. You should aim to use these in your writing instead of relying on the same words all of the time. O When you write you have to choose the word which is the most accurate. Sometimes, that is your own personal choice. O On the next slide are synonyms for either good, bad or big. O In pairs, decide which word is a synonym for each of the above.

Good? Bad? Or Big? O Jumbo awesome hefty great repulsive horrible incredible exquisite evil wicked awful super immense wicked ample lucky spacious lovely copious dreadful fantastic admirable ace mean terrible lovely noxious bulky outstanding sizeable fabulous magical beastly vast wonderful positive vile

Pick one of the words you didn’t know before and draw a symbol, picture or cartoon that reminds you of that word. Extension: Look up the words you were unsure of in the dictionary and find out their definition. O Mean O Admirable

Do any of your words suit these pictures? Choose two for each one OR think of your own – be as adventurous in your use of vocabulary as possible!

In pairs, match the words up. Use process of elimination if you are struggling. 1. Spacious 2. noxious 3. Beastly 4. Awesome 5. Ample 6. lovely a. Despicable or foul b. Inspiring awe c. beautiful d. generous e. animalistic f. much room Now use the words “spacious”, “noxious” and “ample” in three sentences.

Answers. O 1f O 2a O 3e O 4b O 5d O 6c

Using your new vocabulary, choose one writing to persuade or describe task. (Aim to include at least ten of your sophisticated new words.) O Draw and write the text for a new perfume or aftershave. O Describe a person you admire. (This can be real or imaginary.) O Write a letter to your parents or carers to persuade them to let you have a party. O Write a facebook profile. O Write a letter to your class teacher persuading them to let you leave early. O IF YOU WORK IN PAIRS YOU MUST ENSURE YOU BOTH WRITE DOWN YOUR TASK.

Self/peer assessment. O Choose to work alone or with a pair to complete the following assessment task. O Read over the writing piece and correct any literacy mistakes. O Now circle/highlight any of the new vocabulary that you - or your pair - have used. O Write a WWW and EBI.

It might look like this… WWW: I really liked your letter to persuade. You used 11 adventurous words trying to flatter your carers to let you have a party. EBI: Remember to spell ‘party’ correctly and you have not used any capital letters for names.

Not like this… O good It’s funny.