CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5d
The Standard
Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to notice small meaning differences between similar words. They should explain, choose, or act out verbs like look, peek, glance, stare, glare, and scowl. They should also compare describing words by strength, such as big, large, huge, and gigantic.
Mastery looks like choosing the best word for a sentence or situation and explaining why it fits. Students often know the general meaning but miss the feeling, speed, or strength of the word. They may also act out words too broadly, so model tiny differences clearly.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs word cards like walk, stomp, tiptoe, and march, then have them act each word while classmates name it.
- Ask students, “Which word fits best: The boy peeked, stared, or glared at the cookie jar, and why?”
- Show three picture scenes and ask students to circle the best word from a set of similar verbs or adjectives.
- During read-aloud, pause at a strong verb or adjective and ask students what weaker or stronger word the author could have used.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.5d
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.5b
Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5c
Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.K.5b
Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms).