English · Year 4

Active learning ideas

Using a Thesaurus and Dictionary Effectively

Active learning works well for this topic because students need hands-on practice to notice how word choices change meaning and tone. When they physically use dictionaries and thesauruses in games and relays, they connect the abstract idea of word choice to concrete outcomes in their own writing.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS2: English - Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 30 min · Pairs

Thesaurus Hunt: Synonym Scavenger

Provide persuasive texts with repeated words. In pairs, students locate better synonyms using thesauruses, noting three options per word and discussing context fit. Pairs rewrite one paragraph and share with the class.

Differentiate between the primary uses of a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Facilitation Tip

During Thesaurus Hunt, provide each pair with a thesaurus and a target word written on a card, so they focus on comparing options rather than searching randomly.

What to look for

Provide students with a short persuasive paragraph containing a common word (e.g., 'nice'). Ask them to use a thesaurus to find three synonyms for 'nice' and then write a new sentence using the paragraph's context, replacing 'nice' with the synonym they believe is most effective. They should briefly explain why they chose that word.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Stations Rotation
• 35 min · Small Groups

Dictionary Challenge: Word Mysteries

Create cards with definitions or misspelled words. Small groups use dictionaries to solve, recording correct spellings, meanings, and example sentences. Groups present one solved mystery to the class.

Evaluate the best synonym for a given word in a specific context.

Facilitation Tip

For Dictionary Challenge, give teams only a dictionary and a mystery word per round, forcing them to use guide words and entry structure to locate the right page quickly.

What to look for

Present students with a list of words and ask them to identify whether each word is more likely to be found and defined in a dictionary or have its synonyms listed in a thesaurus. Follow up by asking them to provide one example of a synonym for a word from the list.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 03

• Stations Rotation
• 25 min · Small Groups

Synonym Upgrade Relay: Persuasive Edition

Divide class into teams. One student picks a weak word from a persuasive prompt, finds a stronger synonym with a thesaurus, and passes to the next. Teams build a full persuasive paragraph.

Explain how using a thesaurus can improve the precision of writing.

Facilitation Tip

In Synonym Upgrade Relay, place the thesaurus at the end of the relay path so students must run with their chosen synonym before applying it to the sentence, reinforcing the connection between movement and word selection.

What to look for

Pose the question: 'When might using a dictionary be more important than using a thesaurus for persuasive writing?' Guide students to discuss situations where understanding the precise definition or origin of a word is crucial for making a strong argument, rather than just finding a similar word.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 04

• Stations Rotation
• 20 min · Whole Class

Reference Relay Race

Set up stations with dictionaries and thesauruses. Whole class relays: one student answers a query (e.g., 'synonym for argue in debate'), tags next pupil. First team to complete wins.

Differentiate between the primary uses of a dictionary and a thesaurus.

What to look for

Provide students with a short persuasive paragraph containing a common word (e.g., 'nice'). Ask them to use a thesaurus to find three synonyms for 'nice' and then write a new sentence using the paragraph's context, replacing 'nice' with the synonym they believe is most effective. They should briefly explain why they chose that word.

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach this topic by modeling how to use reference books in real time, thinking aloud as you check a word’s meaning and then test synonyms in a sentence. Avoid giving students the ‘correct’ word outright—instead, guide them to notice differences in tone or formality through guided questions. Research suggests that repeated, low-stakes exposure to dictionaries and thesauruses builds independence, so build these activities into regular writing routines rather than treating them as one-off lessons.

By the end of these activities, students will confidently select precise words for persuasive writing by checking meanings in dictionaries and exploring synonyms in thesauruses. They will explain why one word fits better than another in a given context, showing an understanding of nuance and audience.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Thesaurus Hunt, watch for students picking synonyms without testing them in sentences.

  At the end of the hunt, have each pair read their chosen synonyms aloud in the original sentence and vote as a class on which word fits best, highlighting how context changes meaning.

• During Dictionary Challenge, watch for students only checking the first definition they see.

  Circulate and ask, ‘Does this definition match how you saw the word used in the clue?’ to prompt students to consider multiple meanings before confirming their answer.

• During Synonym Upgrade Relay, watch for students selecting synonyms based only on length or complexity rather than fit.

  After the relay, display the original and revised sentences side by side and ask students to compare the tone—does the new word sound too formal, too casual, or just right for the audience?

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Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation