CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6
The Standard
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words, then use them correctly when speaking and writing. They choose precise verbs and subject words that fit the topic and context.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student replaces a vague word such as said with a more exact choice, such as whispered or protested. The student also uses topic words accurately and can explain each choice.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose a vivid word because it sounds strong, even when its meaning does not fit. They may confuse related topic words, or recognize a word while reading but misuse it in a sentence.
How to Assess It
- Give students five words: muttered, announced, habitat, species, and protect. Ask them to choose three and write a short paragraph that shows each meaning clearly.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs action and emotion word cards to sort by strength, then have them act out one word while classmates identify it.
Ask students to rewrite “Maya said she was upset” twice, choosing verbs that show two different emotions, then explain their choices.
Play Vocabulary Charades with this week’s science terms, awarding a point only when the guesser uses the word correctly in a sentence.
Read a local weather report and highlight precise verbs and weather terms, then write a two-sentence forecast using four highlighted words.
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Printable L.4.6 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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