Shades of Meaning

Last week in my intervention classes, we were working on CCSS Language Standard 5: Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. At all three grade levels, we talked about how words have different shades of meaning. Connotation and denotation are a part of this standard at sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, so I introduced these concepts as well.

After our discussion, students chose a word from a stack of cards and had to make a list of words related to that word. They could be synonyms but they could also follow a continuum and turn into antonyms. Students worked independently, then with a partner. At sixth grade, we had the students put their list under the document camera to share and elicit feedback from the whole group. Students shared when they had other word recommendations, and they had some discussion about the order of words....is adorable a stronger adjective than gorgeous?

After their lists were finalized, they transferred their words to paint samples. (I was calling them swatches, but was informed by one of the 8th graders that the word swatches gave him the creeps. Strange child!) I then used their paint samples to create a rainbow word display in the hallway.

Our Rainbow of Words

A close-up view so you can see some of their word continua.