South Dakota ELA 1.L.5.d

ELA1st GradeLanguage

The Standard

1.L.5: Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and subtle differences in word meanings with guidance and support.

Distinguish differences among verbs and adjectives with similar meanings (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl); by defining, choosing, or acting out the meanings.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students tell how words that seem alike differ in meaning. They act out or choose verbs such as peek and stare, and adjectives such as upset and furious.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can show that a peek is quick and partly hidden, while a stare lasts longer. They can choose furious to describe someone shouting and slamming a door.
Common Misconceptions: Students may use peek, glance, and stare as if they mean the same kind of look. They may treat upset and furious as equal in strength.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: “Mia looked quickly at the clock. Did she peek, glance, or stare? Why?” Then have students choose upset or furious for a child who shouts and slams a door.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Hand out peek, glance, and stare cards; partners act out each word while classmates point to the matching card.
Ask, “How is furious different from upset?” Have partners describe what each person's face and voice might be like.
Play a word-choice relay: read “Ben looked quickly at the clock,” and have teams raise glance, peek, or stare cards.
Pour a spoonful of water onto a desk, wipe it up, and ask whether the paper towel is damp or soaked.

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