Homographs Can Be Hairy (Part 1)

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

5

Overview

The teacher will present the homograph video for the students to watch. After viewing, students and the teacher will discuss other possible homographs they have heard before. Students will then collaborate to complete the ABCs of Homographs sheet. Students will then complete a homographs crossword puzzle independently. 

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

Before/Engage
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

ELA21.5.11

Acquire and use grade-level vocabulary, clarifying the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

UP:ELA21.5.11

Vocabulary

  • Acquire
  • Use
  • Grade-level vocabulary
  • Clarifying
  • Multiple-meaning words and phrases
  • Range of strategies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Techniques to learn and use new grade-level vocabulary words.
  • Strategies to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Learn and use grade-level vocabulary words.
  • Clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text using a variety of strategies.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • New vocabulary can be learned from text, and they should use grade-level vocabulary in writing and speaking.
  • There are many strategies to learn the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases in text, such as using context clues, consulting reference materials, or using knowledge of the word's morphological structure.

Learning Objectives

Students will acquire and clarify the meaning of unknown multiple-meaning words.

Students will clarify the meaning of unknown multiple-meaning words in text using a crossword puzzle.

Activity Details

1. Teacher will present the attached YouTube homograph video to the class. 

2. After watching the video, the teacher and students will discuss the strategy of using context clues in text to clarify the meaning of multiple-meaning words in a text. 

3. Next, the teacher will put students in groups of two to three. 

4. Students will then collaborate to complete the ABCs of Homographs sheet. The teacher needs to go over the directions on the sheet before the students get started to be sure they understand the task. 

5. Teacher needs to set a 10-minute work-time timer for the students. 

6. After 10 minutes, groups will take turns sharing the homographs they found for their ABCs of Homographs sheet.

7. Teacher needs to collect the ABCs of Homographs sheet because it will be used in Part 2 of the lesson. 

8. Students will now independently complete the homograph crossword puzzle attached. 

Assessment Strategies

The teacher will check the completed homograph crossword puzzle to be sure students correctly clarified the meaning of multiple-meaning words in text. 

Variation Tips

Students may watch the attached Homographs YouTube video if they need help thinking of homographs for the ABCs of Homographs sheet attached in the lesson. 

If you have strugglers, you may want to watch and complete this homograph video with the activity attached here before beginning their assignment.

Background / Preparation

1. Teacher needs to review the attached homograph YouTube video that will be used. 

2. Make copies of the ABCs of Homographs sheet for the students to use. 

3. Make copies of the homograph crossword puzzle for the students to use. 

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