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Thesaurus Tangrams
Patty Zody, Putnam City, Harvest Hills
Title: Thesaurus Tangrams
Grade Level: 4th and/or 5th grade
PASS Language Arts Skill:
Standard 1 – Vocabulary
4.1-Using Resource Materials-Use a thesaurus to determine related words
PASS Mathematics Skill:
Standard 4 – Geometry and Measurement
3.b-Spatial Reasoning-Predict and verify the effects of combining and rearranging two and three dimensional objects (4th grade)
Standard 4 – Geometry and Measurement
1-Identify and describe the basic properties of figures (5th grade)
PASS Information Literacy Skill:
Standard 5 – Research and Information
1.a-Accessing information-Understand the organization of and access information
from a variety of sources, including dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias...
Books and Materials:
Classroom set of thesauruses
List of sample sentences with over-used words
Sets of cards with paragraphs or passages containing “over-used” words
Vis-à-vis pens in colors
Tangram thesaurus activity page
Construction paper, glue sticks
Time Needed: One 45-minute lesson
Procedure:
1. Have you ever written a story or a journal entry and then read it back to yourself and realized you
were using the same word over and over again? For example, he said, she said, he said…Said is one of
those overused words in our vocabulary. Can you think of some other over-used words? (pretty, nice,
bad, etc.) There is a reference tool which can help us improve our writing and increase our vocabulary.
Many times when we over-use a word, it is just a habit. Habits can be changed and using a thesaurus
or dictionary of synonyms is a good habit. Teachers often tell us after reading a paper, “Can you say
that in a better, more exciting way?” A thesaurus is the key to better writing.
Thesaurus Tangrams
Patty Zody, Putnam City
Page Two
2. A thesaurus can be organized in two different ways. Some are just like dictionaries and all the
words are in alphabetical order with guide words at the top of each page. Some thesauruses are
organized into subject areas, like speaking words, emotions, action words, etc. Within these
categories you must then find your word. Many thesauruses also give antonyms for the listed words.
What is an antonym? Why might it be important to have antonyms listed as well as synonyms?
3. Let’s see how we can improve some of these sample sentences. Have students use a thesaurus to
look up underlined words in sample sentences for a “better” word choice. Encourage them to make
sure the new word suggested does not change the context of the sentence, only improves the
vocabulary.
4. Pass out cards with paragraphs or passages. Ask students each to read their card and select two
words they might change to improve the passage. Tell them to check the thesaurus to see if their word
choice appears as a synonym for the “over-used” word. Have them mark out the “over-used word”
using a Vis-à-vis pen and print their word above the “over-used word.” Pass their card to the left and
have each student find two more words to change using the same technique. Pass cards to a third
student and have them read the corrected passage.
5. Distribute Tangram Thesaurus activity pages. Instruct students to look up the words inside each
of the tangram pieces in their thesaurus. Write four alternative words inside each piece. Try to find
words which other classmates might not choose. Cut out the pieces and rearrange them in the shape of
one of the animal tangram patterns available and glue them on construction paper.
Evaluation:
Students will be graded on their choice of alternate words, their finished geometric
pattern and teacher observation of their use of the thesaurus.
Extension Activities:
Students can be asked to select a given number of the alternate words and include those
words in writing a persuasive letter to their parents asking to keep this animal as a pet.
(PASS Writing Standard 2-Modes and Forms of Writing, 8-Write a persuasive
composition or letter)
Also extend the understanding of tangrams by reading Grandfather Tang’s Story by
Ann Tompert or Three Pigs, One Wolf and Seven Magic Shapes by Grace Maccarone.