Many of us use centers, Daily 5, CAFE, or word work in our classrooms – even in our upper elementary classrooms. This homophone idea I’m about to share will work in your 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade classroom. You may also be able to modify it for slightly above or below those grade levels.
My 6th graders often struggle with homonyms (perhaps better known as homophones). You know – those words that are pronounced the same way but spelled differently.
Yep – those!
I wanted to do something to solidify the idea of these into my kiddos brain and make them more aware of the words they are writing. Because, let’s face it, seeing incorrect spelling often leaves people feeling less of a person. Am I write? 😉 (Sorry, I just had to there!)
Day 1
Go through the definition of homophones (or homonyms), depending on which word you want your students to know – although both words can’t hurt!
We created a list of as many of the words as we could come up with.
Days 2-3
Have students draw pictures illustrating a pair of homonyms. We used post-it notes to “hide” the saying. That way we could guess what others were saying.
Denise says
I love the idea of the students hiding the sentence, very cute!! I have my students write 2 sentences using each word and illustrate each. I'll try your idea next year! Thanks for sharing!!
Bex Mawn says
So clever!
Justin Knight says
Hi there! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog earlier today! This is a great post! Homophones are a killer in every grade it seems. I taught them in 3rd and am now teaching them again in 4th. My 4th graders don't seem to understand them any better than my 3rd graders. This idea of your with the illustrations is so much fun. I may steal your idea for my own classroom VERY soon! Have a great night! Thanks!
Justin- Writing Pad Dad
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