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Year 8 English: Dead Word Burial

The document outlines a lesson plan where students will bury "dead words" that are overused in writing. Students will each be given an overused word to bury. They will write an epitaph on a tombstone with the word's definition and optionally kind words. Students will also write an obituary listing the surviving synonyms of the word and their definitions. Completed tombstones will be placed in a graveyard area of the classroom. The goal is to improve students' word choice by replacing overused words with synonyms.

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Jackie Stack
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94 views2 pages

Year 8 English: Dead Word Burial

The document outlines a lesson plan where students will bury "dead words" that are overused in writing. Students will each be given an overused word to bury. They will write an epitaph on a tombstone with the word's definition and optionally kind words. Students will also write an obituary listing the surviving synonyms of the word and their definitions. Completed tombstones will be placed in a graveyard area of the classroom. The goal is to improve students' word choice by replacing overused words with synonyms.

Uploaded by

Jackie Stack
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson Topic: Dead Word Burial

Class:
Year 8 KS English
Date:
November 16,
2014

Room:
8B
Period/Time:
6-7 (1 hour)

Reference to Subject Documentation:


Language and Literacy: English and Media
Education Key Stage 3
Develop the ability to use language (including
body language) effectively in communicating
with and relating to others.

Learning Intentions - pupils will be able to:

Skills & capabilities to be developed:


Effective communication
Improve word choice

Success Criteria:
Epitaph and obituary

Identify overused words in their own lives.


Replace overused words with more effective words to make a text engaging.

Introduction:

Anticipatory activity disruptive event


Instruct students to enter room silently, for today is a very grave day. Have solemn music (funeral march,
Gregorian chant, etc.). Add in other decorations such as fake candles, draped cloth, etc.
When students have entered, silence with clap. Give solemn introduction of task to have a burial for our
words. Display a list of overused words from student writing and explain that these words have been worked
too hard, and have since passed into the other life. Explain that we are going to give them a proper burial to
ensure their safe passing, and celebrate the lives of their successors, the Synonyms.

Development:

Each student will be given one word to bury. They will write create a small tombstone complete with epitaph
that gives a definition, and if the students wish, a few kind words. They will also write an obituary listing the
surviving synonyms of the words and their definitions.
Students are encouraged to use their creativity, but may also choose to complete the basic task should the
latter prove too difficult. Tombstones will be marked only on definitions. They may work in pairs to complete
the task or individually. Some low-performing students may receive not only a word but a list of synonyms so
that they are only searching for definitions.

Conclusion:

When tombstones are all complete, we will have a final ceremony and place our tombstones in the graveyard
at the front of the classroom. Explain that whenever we want to use a dead word, we should look for one of
its family members to use instead.

WALT: Improve
our word
choice.

Ill refer to this wall at multiple points during future conversations and writing.
Resources:

Decorations fake candles, scarves, etc.


Music playing device
Multiple classroom dictionaries or thesauri
Heavy paper (cardstock) for tombstone
Markers/colors

Homework
Purpose:
Task:

Due in by:
N/A In class activity

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