Hey teacher friends! It is time for our next installment in our grammar blog post series. This post focuses on multiple meaning words: What are they? Why teach them? How to teach them? Read on for tips, tricks and resources that will help cement this skill with your students.
Enhance Literacy with Embedded Grammar Lessons
Research on the Science of Reading (SOR) dating back to the 1970s shows that teaching grammar as isolated rules doesn't effectively transfer to writing and speaking. What works better is embedding grammar within the context of writing. This is why our writing program Lucky to Learn Writing (LTLW) includes grammar skills integrated into writing lessons. This approach ensures that the same skills and standards are met, but in a meaningful context that connects with the rest of the literacy curriculum.
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We also recognize the value of targeted practice and intervention to reinforce these skills. That's why we've compiled a list of our favorite grammar activities that provide additional practice and intervention opportunities. These activities are designed to complement our integrated approach, ensuring students have a well-rounded understanding of grammar concepts. Let's dive into these engaging and effective activities!
What are Multiple Meaning Words?
Multiple meaning words are just what they sound like: words with multiple meanings. Sometimes called homonyms, these words have the same spelling, sound alike but have different meanings. Check out the chart below for just a few examples.
Now are you wondering, “Why teach students this skill?” Learning about multiple meaning words can deepen students comprehension. If they know more meanings of a word, they can understand what they read better, rather than trying to apply a single meaning to a word each time they read it. Also, it enlarges their vocabulary bank.
Strategies & Resources
The following strategies and resources are great for giving students practice with multiple meaning words. We have grouped them into whole group, small group and independent practice activities.
Whole Group
There are SO many fun ways to teach this skill. Here are just a few!
1) Videos & Songs
Multiple Meaning Words by Samantha Daehling
This cute video gives several examples!
Homophones by GoNoodle
Everyone loves learning from Blazer Fresh and their good beats!
3) Free Flashcards
A great introduction to multiple meaning words is flash cards. Here is a FREE SET from k5 Learning.
Flashcards lesson idea:
- Teacher holds up a card, bark for example. Say, “I know this word. It is bark. What does this word mean?”
- Have a student raise their hand and give a meaning. If they say, “The noise a dog makes.”, then the teacher says, “What?? I thought it means the covering on trees?!”
- Let the class think on and discuss that for a minute, then say, “Wait, maybe the word bark has more than one meaning?”
- Once the class agrees, say, “It is important to know all the meanings of a word. That way, when you are reading, your brain can choose the right meaning for each word to help you understand your story better.”
- Repeat with another flashcard, but this time calling on two students to give the two (or more) different meanings.
4) Books
Introducing a grammar skill using a picture book is a super engaging strategy. Here are two great recommendations for teaching multiple meaning words:
How Much Can Bare Bear Bear? by Brian P. Cleary
Watch it here:
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Dear Deer by Gene Barretta
Watch it here:
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Small Group & Independent Practice
Now that the skill has been introduced whole group it is time to practice in small groups and independently. The following activities would work great for students to complete independently OR in small group. Small group is a great option for students who are struggling to understand the skill.
1) M & M's Activity
This first activity was is a FREE resource from a 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Russ. Simply print an M&M pair worksheet for each student, have them write each of their homonym meanings in a sentence, one on each M&M. This is a great independent activity.
2) Lucky Little Learner's Resources
If you are ready to teach this skill, Lucky Little Learners has multiple resources for it! Here are our favorite resources for teaching multiple meaning words!
a. Grammar Centers
The Grammar Centers bundle has a center focusing on multiple meaning words, as well as 40+ other printable & digital grammar skill centers. To best use this resource, introduce it whole group before shifting it to an independent activity. The “Unlock The Meaning” center will have students thinking deep about word meanings.
Read about it here: Grammar Center Activities for 2nd Grade
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b. Multiple Meaning Words Toothy
As teachers know, students LOVE toothy! Why not use it for multiple meaning words?! Yep, Lucky Little Learners has you covered!
Read more about grammar toothy here and score a FREEBIE toothy set: Free Grammar Toothy Activity!
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c. Grammar Day-by-Day
Grammar Day-by-Day is one of my favorite LLL resources! Why? They are NO PREP and cover 40 different grammar skills! Teachers can use them in any order that works for their curriculum or class needs. Plus, there is a week featuring JUST multiple meaning words!
Read more about Grammar Day-by-Day(and try it for FREE) here: Daily Grammar Practice Freebie
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How to Teach Other 2nd Grade Grammar Skills
If you liked this post, check out all of our amazing grammar skills posts!
Happy teaching!
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