Shades of Meaning
Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing similar actions and among adjectives differing in intensity; make real-life connections between words and their use
Suggested ages 5–9
Learning journey
Your child is building their word knowledge — asking about unknown words, understanding opposites, recognising how word parts give clues to meaning, and using new vocabulary in their own speech and writing.
Evidence of understanding
- Compare similar verbs by acting them out (e.g. 'walk', 'march', 'strut', 'prance')
- Order adjectives by intensity (e.g. big, huge, gigantic)
- Connect vocabulary to personal experiences (e.g. note things at school that are 'colourful')
Assessment prompt
Does Shades of Meaning notice the difference between similar words — for example, knowing that "scorching" is stronger than "warm," or that "trotted" is different from "sprinted"?
Standards alignment
L.1.5c
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
L.1.5d
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 1
L.2.5
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
L.2.5b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 2
L.3.5b
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3
L.3.5c
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · 3
L.K.5c
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K
L.K.5d
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects · K