Kentucky Reading and Writing L.3.5

L.3.5 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• L.3.5.b

  Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their synonyms and antonyms.

• L.3.5.c

  Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe degrees of certainty.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students use context to tell when a phrase means what its words say and when it means something else. They find words with similar and opposite meanings. They order words like 'might,' 'probably,' and 'definitely' from less certain to more certain.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student explains that 'on the fence' means undecided when a character is making a choice, not sitting on a fence. They name 'glad' and 'sad' as a synonym and antonym for 'happy.' They place 'probably' between 'might' and 'definitely' on a certainty scale.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may read 'on the fence' literally even when the character is making a choice. They may treat 'might' and 'definitely' as equally sure. They may confuse synonyms with antonyms.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Explain 'on the fence' in 'Sam is on the fence about the picnic' both literally and in context; order 'might,' 'probably,' and 'definitely' by certainty; give a synonym and antonym for 'happy.'

1. 01

   Give pairs picture cards of someone sitting on a fence and someone making a choice; have them match each to a meaning of 'on the fence.'

2. 02

   Ask, 'How would your picnic plans change if a forecast said it might rain instead of definitely rain?' Have students write two sentences.

3. 03

   Play synonym-antonym snap with 'happy,' 'glad,' and 'sad' cards; students flip two cards and say whether their meanings match or oppose.

4. 04

   Show a weather forecast with 20% and 90% rain chances; students label each 'might' or 'probably' and explain their choice.